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Hereford United put aside their early season difficulties with a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Crewe Alexandra. Second half strikes from debutant Stephen O'Leary and Bradley Hudson-Odoi ensured The Bulls lifted themselves off the foot of the League One table, in front of a crowd of just 2894.
Following the 6-1 drubbing received at the Memorial Stadium last weekend, Graham Turner opted for changes. In came Darren Randolph, Kris Taylor, O'Leary, Matty Done and Hudson-Odoi, with Craig Samson, Robbie Threlfall, Simon Johnson, Clint Easton and Moses Ashikodi all making way. Crewe started Conference villain Anthony Elding up front, with Calvin Zola and Clayton Donaldson both having to settle for a place on the bench.
Tom Pope started well for Crewe up front, with his running causing Dean Beckwith problems, but his first strike of the game was held by Randolph. Hereford's first attack saw Steve Collis watch Taylor's driven shot wide. Pope held off Sam Oji with ease inside the box to turn and get a shot in but Randolph again denied him with a close-range block. United's best opportunity of the first-half fell to O'Leary, following some fine link-up on the right hand side from Steve Guinan and Richard Rose, with the latter crossing but new arrival O'Leary headed just over from six yards after rising superbly.
Crewe had a period of sustained pressure towards the end of the half, with Billy Jones stinging the mid-drift of Randolph with a testing free-kick. Elding headed past the post after good work on the right from tricky winger Byron Moore before Randolph again denied Pope from close-range, this time following a scramble. Crewe had strong appeals for a penalty denied when Pope was tripped by Beckwith, with the referee awarding a free-kick instead. This time Jones let Michael O'Connor try his luck, and the midfielder's delightful curling effort was superbly tipped over by a diving Randolph. In first-half stoppage time, Ben Smith's lobbed half-volley was caught by Collis.
The second-half started well for United as they took the lead three minutes into it. Crewe had an earlier warning when Toumani Diagouraga blasted over from 35 yards but it was O'Leary who successfully shot from long-range to hand Hereford the lead. A defensive header fell to the former Luton man, and he took one touch before curling powerfully past Collis into the top right corner. Hereford were brimming with confidence following the goal, and eight minutes later, the advantage was doubled. O'Leary was again involved, playing a one-two with Smith on the right-wing, before forcing his way past a defender. He then picked out Hudson-Odoi who tucked in past Collis from 12 yards.
Joel Grant dragged a shot past the post, before O'Connor was stretchered off following a late-tackle by Done. Stephen Schumacher replaced him, and Donaldson was introduced for Pope. Beckwith nearly added a third, and a second for his season but his header from a Done corner was pushed over by Collis. Johnson replaced Hudson-Odoi mid-way through the half with the Ghanaian born striker receiving an excellent ovation. Crewe came close in quick succession following two Jones' corners; firstly Julien Baudet's header was cleared off the line by Done before Randolph kicked clear. Secondly, O'Donnell rose to meet the corner but his effort was off-target.
A deep cross from the left sat up nicely for Moore inside the box, but he snatched at it and failed to test Randolph. United should have put the icing on the cake with five minutes remaining after some superb football. Guinan expertly held up a Smith pass, and played in O'Leary who raced into the area but saw his shot find the wrong side of the post by a matter of inches. Easton replaced the tiring Done late on, whilst Zola came on for Elding, and it was the former Tranmere man who came close to pulling one back for Crewe when he turned Oji inside the box, but failed to get any power on his shot. Hereford saw out the remaining minutes keeping possession confidently.
An unfamiliar formation of either 4-1-4-1, or 4-3-3, depending in which way you look at it paid dividends for Hereford today. O'Leary made a smashing debut, showing superb awareness and touch coupled with a good work-rate. Done and Hudson-Odoi did good jobs on the wings, and looked dangerous throughout although my man of the match goes to Guinan, who was fantastic up front on his own; he held the ball up well and bought other players in to the game. Next up for United is another home game with Swindon the visitors this coming Friday.
Hereford: Randolph, Rose, Oji, Beckwith, Taylor, Diagouraga, O'Leary, Smith, Hudson-Odoi, Done, Guinan.
Subs: Samson, Threlfall, Easton, Johnson, Ashikodi.
Crewe: Collis, Woodwards, Baudet, O'Donnell, Jones, Moore, Bailey, O'Connor, Grant, Pope, Elding.
Subs: Miller, Schumacher, Rix, Zola, Donaldson.
