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Hereford United were defeated in the battle of the English and Welsh this afternoon, going down 2-1 at Edgar Street. Kevin McNaughton's excellently struck volley minutes before the interval handed the Bluebirds the advantage, before Steve Thompson converted a second half penalty. Theo Robinson's late strike handed United renewed hope, but despite late pressure, Cardiff held on to progress into the fifth round.
Despite the pasting received at Chesterfield on Monday, Graham Turner opted to stick with the same eleven. There was one change to the bench though, with the attacking option of Marcus Palmer preffered to the defensive one of Karl Broadhurst, perhaps due to the slight doubts over both Simon Johnson and Trevor Benjamin. Paul Parry returned to Edgar Street for the first time in four years, playing in the hole behind Thompson, who was preferred to Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink in the lone striking role.
Parry nearly marked his return instantly, as he went close in the first minute. A long-throw in, a notable part of Cardiff's tactics, fell nicely to Parry, but his low left foot shot was tipped around the post by Wayne Brown. Half-chances fell to Hereford attacking duo S. Johnson and Benjamin, but neither could trouble Michael Oakes. Glen Loovens looping header was easily caught by Brown, before Andy D'Urso dished out a yellow card for Parry, following a late challenge of Trent McClenahan. The card didn't affect Parry, as he continued to probe in the attacking third; former Aston Villa winger Peter Whittingham's fine pass found Parry on the right wing, and the Welsh international cut in before curling narrowly past the far post. Minutes later, Whittingham again created, this time for McNaughton but the forward run by the full-back ended in a cross/shot hitting the side netting.
The visitors looked comfortable in possession, and decent in attack, with Parry usually the main man. However, Hereford's Dean Beckwith was playing really well at the back, and he blocked a powerful Parry effort. United's best chance of the first half came courtesy of an incisive turn and shot by Robinson. The low effort troubled Oakes, with the 'keeper taking no risks by pushing it around the post. Benjamin's weak toe-poke inside the six-yard box went wide, whilst at the other end, Parry again troubled, with this time only a fine block tackle by Richard Rose denying him a shooting opportunity.
A quick throw-in by McClenahan allowed Robinson to cut inside past another former Bull, Tony Capaldi, but the on loan Watford strike drilled a shot over the crossbar from a tight angle. As half-time beckoned, and four minutes of added time was signalled by the fourth official, McNaughton struck the opener. Once again, a long throw-in ended up in Hereford's box, and after a clearence only ended up 25 yards from goal, McNaughton took his chance by striking first-time with a full volley which gave the motionless Brown no chance, and sent the away following of 1498 into celebration. Now Hereford needed to get back on track, and get into the half-time with the one goal deficit intact, but Thompson had other ideas; he controlled a pass forward before turning and beating Beckwith, but his shot went across the face of goal and past the post.
Hereford made a better start to the second half with more attacking intent. Kris Taylor's free-kick beat the first man (Unlike Monday evening when set-pieces were very poor) and Lee Collins nodded goalwards but Oakes held on. Joe Ledley nearly doubled the advantage for Cardiff, after McClenahan mis-judged a long ball and a neat through ball found Ledley on the left-hand side of the box. A shot from Ledley took a slight deflection before hitting the outside of the post and going out for a corner. The resulting corner was taken by Ledley, and Roger Johnson's bullet header ended up inches past the post. A low shot from Thompson was held as Cardiff continued to threaten whilst Robinson's low shot as easily held by Oakes, after he had linked up with S. Johnson on the right hand-side.
Clint Easton came off the bench in a straight stop for Kris Taylor, and the former Gillingham wide man made an instant impact...at the wrong end. Goalscorer McNaughton, confident after striking his first goal for Cardiff, raced into the box after playing a one two with Parry, and he was clipped from behind by Easton, and a penalty was awarded. Thompson stepped up and faced Brown, who is yet to save a penalty for his current employers; this time was no different as he dived the opposite way and Thompson was on the scoresheet. Turner took off Benjamin, who looked to have been struggling, and Sam Gwynne came on playing out on the right-wing, with Johnson pushing up front. Stephen McPhail's chipped cross was met by a Parry header, but again Brown denied him by pushing the ball over the bar. Hereford's moment came soon after, and it was Robinson who provided it. Ben Smith found space 35 yards out, and played a through ball towards Gwynne and Robinson. Gwynne dummied and Capaldi missed it, and it left Robinson running into the box before firing across Oakes and into the far corner.
The goal gave United late encouragement, although Cardiff nearly struck back immediaetly when Ledley's cross/shot looped on to the bar after Brown had lost its flight. Hasselbaink was introduced late on for Thompson, but Beckwith kept him quiet, with the Dutchman looking a shadow of his former self. The Bulls then pressed late on in search of an equaliser, with Johnson's 20 yard volley going harmlessly wide. Good chances fell Hereford's way, with the first falling to Toumani Diagouraga, after Easton's cross hadn't been dealt with. The Frenchman struck a clean drive goalwards but Oakes parried, before the Cardiff defence cleared. Soon after, McClenahan's forward burst saw him play a ball towards the box which somehow made its way through a crowd of players to Robinson, but the goalscorer seemed surprised he had the ball as he struck straight at Oakes. The final good opportunity fell to Johnson, after a good lay-off by Diagouraga but the former Darlington attacker's well struck shot was again held by Oakes. In stoppage time, Smith tried to replicate his previous round strike at Tranmere, when the ball fell nicely for a volley but it was wild, and with that shot went Hereford's FA Cup run. Cardiff weathered the late storm, and Andy D'Urso's final whistle was greeted by grand applause from both sets of supporters.
With the cup run now over, Hereford can concentrate fully on the league and their aspirations for promotion. Cardiff came to Edgar Street as favourites, and did just about enough to progress although Hereford can be pleased with their performance in front of 6855. In particular, Beckwith looked good at the back whilst Smith played his heart out in the middle of the park, much like in previous rounds. The money earned from the cup run can now be put back into the playing side, with new faces expected in the coming days. The Bulls don't have to wait long to return to Edgar Street, with Barnet visiting on Wednesday evening. The Hertfordshire based side are currently mid-table in League Two, and like United, were knocked out of the FA Cup this weekend.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Collins, Beckwith, Rose, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Taylor, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Gwynne, Easton, Palmer.
Cardiff: Oakes, McNaughton, Johnson, Loovens, Capaldi, Whittingham, Rae, McPhail, Ledley, Parry, Thompson.
Subs: Enckleman, Purse, Ramsey, Blake, Hasselbaink.
