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The Bulls claimed a priceless away victory at Rotherham this afternoon courtesy of a Gary Hooper strike just before half-time. The home side, who were second in the table before hand failed to convert a hand of good chances in the second half after Hooper had netted from close-range. The win signals the end of three straight defeats for Hereford and gets the promotion chase back on track.
After the disappointing defeat against Barnet in mid-week, Graham Turner decided to shuffle things around. In particular, the back-line was changed with John McCombe and Richard Rose replacing Trent McClenahan and Karl Broadhurst, who was dropped altogether. Clint Easton also made the starting line-up, with Sam Gwynne making way. The return of the winger was a huge boost for The Bulls. Experienced goalkeeper Andy Warrington started for Rotherham, as did former Leicester youngster Chris O’Grady.
The home side started the game the better of the two sides, but failed to muster up any clear-cut chances. Mark Hudson’s rising shot failed to trouble Wayne Brown, whilst a powerful snapshot by O’Grady went past the left-hand post. Hereford’s first opportunity came from a Simon Johnson in-swinging free-kick, Theo Robinson got the faintest of touches to the cross and the ball fell just past the far post. Former Derby trainee Pablo Mills struck wide after a quick-throw in from the right, whilst Dale Tonge’s crossing caused problems throughout, with Hudon meeting one but Brown made a routine catch.
Hereford began to grow into the game as the half progressed, with Johnson shooting after collecting from Ben Smith, but Warrington watched it all the way, and held despite a slight nick off a defender. A counter-attack by United led to Robinson playing a one-two with Easton, before scuffing a shot wide from a decent position just outside the box. Ryan Taylor’s long-range effort trickled through to Brown, before The Bulls took the lead. A ball inside found Robinson who passed first-time down the right-hand side which was met by a forward run of young Lee Collins. The Wolves loanee set himself before crossing low into Hooper, who diverted the ball goal wards from six yards and found the back of the net, despite Warrington’s best efforts.
Both sides made subs at half-time; for Rotherham, powerful target man Derek Holmes replaced Taylor, whilst Collins failed to come out for the second half after picking up a knock and McClenahan came on in his place. A Tonge cross wasn’t cleared fully, and the ball fell to Danny Harrison but his strike rose harmlessly over the bar. Rotherham looked dangerous in and around the box, with neat flicks causing Beckwith and McCombe problems. O’Grady laid off for the onrushing Mills but the defensive midfielders strike was parried by Brown. Marc Newsham was replaced by Jamie Yates, after the winger failed to give Rose much of a problem.
The best chances of the second half for either side came within a minute of each other. Firstly, The Bulls counter-attacking football caused Rotherham all sorts of problems, and Johnson’s pass up the line to Robinson allowed the Watford youngster to get a run at the defence. He managed to beat two men and get a run-in on goal, but he dragged his shot past the far post, when he looked like he was going to double the advantage. For Rotherham, Hudson flicked over the head of Beckwith but like Robinson did, O’Grady dragged his shot past the post from a good position. O’Grady then tried his luck from much further out but again failed to hit the target. Mills then replicated his earlier chance, this time meeting a pass from Yates but again Brown denied his powerful strike with a good block.
Hereford were being put under pressure but still looked threatening on the break. Johnson played an excellent cross-field ball to Robinson, who again got a run-in on goal. However, he struck early with a half-volley and Warrington was forced to make a diving save. Mills tried his luck once more with his shot going wide, whilst O’Grady got past McClenahan on the right-hand side before driving a shot past the far post. Ian Ross replaced Mills as Rotherham continued to look for a change which would make the difference. Stephen Brogan’s free-kick was wasteful from 20 yards before Trevor Benjamin replaced goalscorer Hooper for the short period remaining. Tonge’s deep cross saw Holmes rise above McCombe, and his header went close as it struck the top of the bar. Minutes later, Rotherham hit the bar again. This time, Yates sent a controlled curling effort goal wards, and Brown thought it was harmless, but it also struck the top of the woodwork. The last-chance came in stoppage time, when a header by Harrison from a Holmes cross was easily held by Brown.
The victory was well greeted by the travelling army in a crowd of 4,746, and allows Hereford to get back to winning ways. Although Rotherham had plenty of chances, Hereford defended well and looked relatively comfortable throughout. The partnership of McCombe and Beckwith was excellent and both complimented each other’s game, whilst Hooper’s goal will give the striker much confidence. Next up for Hereford in the league is a home game against lowly Dagenham; a game The Bulls must surely win if they are to maintain a promotion push. There is also a mid-week Herefordshire Senior Cup game against Ledbury, where fringe players are likely to get a run out.
Hereford: Brown, Collins, Beckwith, McCombe, Rose, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Hooper, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McClenahan, Taylor, Gwynne, Benjamin.
Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge, Coughlan, Sharps, Brogan, Newsham, Mills, Harrison, Hudson, Taylor, O’Grady.
Subs: O‘Donnell, Joseph, Ross, Yates, Holmes.
