Hereford versus Shrewsbury - Preview

Tuesday evening sees the first tie in the new Johnstone Paint Trophy competition and the visitors to Edgar Street are local rivals Shrewsbury Town.

Whether either club takes the game seriously remains to be seen but the organisers have tried to lift interest in the competition by changes in the rules compared with the LDV Trophy which it replaces.

Gone is extra-time. Should the clubs be level at full-time then it's straight to penalties.

Another rule is that clubs have to play a reasonably strong team. They can't put out a side full of reserves and youngsters.

The rules say: Clubs will have to field a side which incudes at least six players that have appeared most often in first team games this season.

The organisers suggest that the no extra-time format will ensure that games don't finish too late, a factor they beleive may keep some families away with school the next day.

They are also trying out the free children places scheme. For Hereford that means four hundred free tickets for children. Shrewsbury have been given two hundred free tickets. Yesterday, at Edgar Street, several supporters were purchasing these complimentary tickets. They will be available tomorrow (Monday) until 4pm.

John Trewick, the Hereford United coach, wrote about Tuesday's game in Bullseye. There was an inference in his words that several regulars would be dropped for the match.

"It will also give us a chance to field one or two players who haven't played much Division Two football so far," he said.

"But the fact that Shrewsbury are local rivals should add a bit of spice to the tie."

Hereford's reserve goalkeeper, Glyn Thompson, who was at Shrewsbury last season could well feature in the game as might youngsters such as Luke Webb, Johnathan Wallis, Marcus Palmer, Jordan Fitzpatrick and Sam Gwynne.

As for Shrewsbury, former Bulls goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie thinks a win for his side would help them when the two clubs meet in the League.

"It's a local derby and a big game for the fans," said MacKenzie.

"If we could win there not only would we stay in the competition but it would also provide us with the belief when we play against them later in the season."

The two sides last met at Edgar Street when both were in the Conference in March 2004. The Bulls won that game 2-1.

Rob Purdie scored for the Bulls after just three minutes, but Lee Lawrence got one back a minute later. In the second half Steve Guinan scored the winner.

That game was played in front of 5850 fans.

Hereford United versus Shrewsbury Town (Johnstone Paint Trophy Round One): Tuesday October 17th Kick-off 7.45pm

Admission: Adults £10 Concessions £5 (all areas of the ground)

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