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Hereford United gained revenge on Macclesfield Town as they defeated their hosts 1-0 at Moss Rose this afternoon. Theo Robinson volleyed home from close range to hand United the points, to liven up a drab affair on a cold Boxing Day.
United were boosted by the return of Dean Beckwith and Trevor Benjamin, both had suffered from illnesses and missed the Morecambe defeat, but they returned in place of John McCombe and Steve Guinan. Kris Taylor was also bought into the starting line-up, with Karl Broadhurst out altogether; Lee Collins pushed into the centre of defence. Finally, Simon Johnson swapped places with Sam Gwynne, as the youngster found himself on the bench. Former Bull Danny Thomas started on the left wing for the Silkmen, whilst the matchwinner in September, Francis Green partnered Martin Gritton up front.
The first half offered little in terms of excitement, with The Bulls failing to build on a promising start which saw Clint Easton weakly shoot into 'keeper Jonny Brain's arms. Macclesfield looked threatening, with Adam Murray attacking well from midfield, and caused concern for United's back-line with two seperate chances needing blocks. Thomas's trickery on the left wing took him inside of Trent McClenahan but the winger's right foot shot was dragged past the post.
A deep Easton corner was met by Robinson at the back post, but the youngster failed to get it on target, whilst at the other end Thomas beat the offside trap and powered a drive goalwards from an angle; Brown stood strong though and beat the ball away, before McClenahan cleared to safety. Gritton's rising shot needed to be pushed over from Brown, before the best chance of the first half needed a goal-line clearence. A corner was swung in from the left hand side, and an unmarked Sean Hessey headed goalwards; luckily for The Bulls, Ben Smith stood on the post to head clear and stop the goalbound effort.
Hereford had good possession in the first half, but failed on many occasions to find the final ball that would threaten the Macclesfield defence. The hosts looked more threatening, and this continued into the second half as Gritton headed over from close-range after a tricky cross in from Kevin McIntyre. Green was replaced by Gareth Evans as Ian Brightwell looked to find the finishing touch up front, but instead, it was Hereford's strikeforce who proved decisive. Easton put a corner towards the back-post where Lee Collins rose and nodded towards goal. The shot was blocked, but fell straight to Robinson who volleyed from six yards through a crowd of players and into the back of the net.
The goal gave the away side confidence, and Easton struck straight at Brain from a tight angle. Simon Wiles replaced the ineffective Levi Reid, but it was United who kept coming forward. Robinson, perhaps selfishly, struck over the bar from 20 yards, despite the attacking run of McClenahan to his right hand side. Easton then hit a free-kick over the bar, whilst Dunfield replicated Easton, as he missed a free-kick from a similar position at the opposite end.
Benjamin's afternoon came to an end with little over five minutes remaning, as Guinan took his place, yet it was the hosts who started to put the pressure on. Hessey's hopeful long shot was held by Brown, whilst minutes later, Hessey put a powerful shot past the post after a corner hadn't been cleared. In the middle of the chances for Hessey, Toumani Diagouraga headed over from an Easton corner. Luke Webb appeared late on, in place of Johnson on the right wing, but his afternoon didn't last long as he was bought off. Before the final sub, a Carl Regan cross was met by Evans, but Brown's diving save rounded off a fine afternoon for the keeper. Webb then made way for Gwynne; it is unsure whether Webb picked up an injury, or was bought off to run down the clock.
The result was a perfect response after the Morecambe defeat, and pushes United upto second in the league once again. The first half was poor, but the second half saw an improved performance, and although Macclesfield threatened, Hereford always looked like they could push up a gear in the attacking third. 2393 saw the match at Moss Rose; United's next trip should attract nearly six times as much as they travel to Bradford City.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Collins, Taylor, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Webb, Gwynne, Guinan.
Macclesfield: Brain, Regan, Hessey, Dimech, McIntyre, Reid, Dunfield, Murray, Thomas, Green, Gritton.
Subs: Lee, Doughty, Tolley, Wiles, Evans.
