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Hereford United were frustratingly knocked out of the F.A. Cup in the second round this afternoon at Edgar Street. Stockport County of League Two, who knocked out Swansea City in the first round, proved too strong for the Conference side as a goal in either half was enough to book The Hatters a place in round three.
Following the disappointing home defeat by Exeter last Saturday, Graham Turner made three changes to his side. Simon Travis was left out and Jon Brady found himself on the subs bench. Danny Carey-Bertram was rewarded with a start on the right and Adam Stansfield was named on the bench, as was Andy Bagnall who is under contract at Birmingham City.
Stockport didn't hesistate and came straight at Hereford from the start, resulting in an early lead for the visitors. An uncommon error from Tamika Mkandawire was a costly one, as he was out-muscled by Jermaine Easter, who raced clear of the defence and saw his shot rattle the cross bar before planting itself in the back of the net with just two minutes gone. This though, was about the only effort on Herefords' goal in the first half as United held out against their League Two opponents.
A corner was flapped at by 'keeper James Spencer giving Mkandawire a chance to shoot, his effort was blocked but Guy Ipoua sliced his volley wide of the mark as the ball made its way to the far post. Andy Williams believed he had a good penalty shout when he turned his defender, after receiving Jamie Pitmans' pass, and then fell to the ground while under pressure from the towering presence of Michael Raynes but referee Mr. Singh didn't agree. Uniteds' best of the half came when Ipoua met Ryan Greens' cross with a volley that flashed wide of the near post. Williams had a snap shot just before the break but a deflection took the sting out of the ball and it was comfortable for Spencer.
The Bulls almost equalised soon after the restart when Williams hit Carey-Bertrams' low cross towards goal but Spencer made a good save from close range and the 'keeper was back on his feet in time to gather Rob Purdies' follow up shot. County made a rare attack and should gave wrapped the game up when Danny Boshell got in behind the defence, centred the ball only to see Craig Mawson deny a goal, as three attackers lined up but minutes later their place was booked in the third round after a spectacular goal.
The ball was turned into the air off a defenders leg and Mickael Wolski met the dropping ball with a thunderous volley from thirty yards, that flew past the helpless Mawson and into the bottom corner, much to the delight of the 586 away fans. Stockport almost grabbed a third a minute later but Mawson was able to block Harpal Singhs' shot from the left of the box and as the visitors began to take full control of the game they were rewarded with a penalty, soon after Ipoua had been replaced by Stansfield.
Alex Jeannin was late with his challenge on Matthew Hamshaw and the ref duly pointed to the spot. Easter stepped up confidently but Mawson guessed correctly and palmed the ball into the path of Boshell, who shot harmlessley over. Williams was gifted with Uniteds' only other chance as they tried, but failed miserably, to make a comeback when he intercepted a pass across the defence but his shot was deflected behind. Brady was introduced late on but to little effect.
Stockport were, as their league position suggests, poor but in truth Hereford were worse. There was little attacking flair or pace and yet another defensive error proved vital. The majority of the 3,620 crowd will have been very disappointed with the performance of the hosts in what was seen as a great chance to book themselves a place in the third round and perhaps a money spinning tie.
HUFC: Mawson, Green, James, Mkandawire, Jeannin, Purdie, Stanley, Pitman, Carey-Bertram, Ipoua, Williams. Subs: Beckwith, Bagnall, Ferrell, Brady, Stansfield.
SCFC: Spencer, Greenwood, Clare, Raynes, Robinson, Singh, Wolski, Boshell, Hamshaw, Easter, Bramble.Subs: Duncan, Crowe, Ashley Williams, Allen, Malcolm.
