From The Archives - 867 Watch The Bulls

Ten years ago this evening just 867 supporters watched a Conference League game at Edgar Street. Had those who attended known how dire the game would have been, the gate might have been even less.

Here's a reminder:

HEREFORD UNITED 0 - 0 KINGSTONIAN

A no score draw was the result of tonight's Conference match at Edgar Street, with the London side and the Herefordians cancelling each other out for ninety minutes. A poor encounter looked exactly like the almost meaningless match that it was, with few goalscoring opportunities. Kingstonian look as good as relegated from the Conference as they failed to win, and Hereford will be hard pushed to reach the LDV Trophy places.

Graham Turner made just one change from the side that drew at Forest Green Rovers, with Phil Robinson dropped for Ian Rodgerson who returned from suspension. Robinson was seen on the pitch before the game discussing tactics with the team, so perhaps he was ultimately in charge of proceedings.

Geoff Chapple named Jimmy Glass in goal for his relegation-threatened side. Glass scored the vital goal for Carlisle in 1998/99 which kept the Cumbrians up and sent Scarborough down. Former Scottish under 21 internation Derek Allan was named in defence, as was ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Shrewsbury Town man Simon Stewart. Experienced Football League midfielder Mark Harris started in the side, and on-loan Gavin Holligan from West Ham was named in attack. Three players, Eddie Akuamoah, Ronnie Green and Ian Duerden, were dropped from the side beaten 1-0 by Telford United.

Despite their lowly league position, Kingstonian came out to attack first and won their first corner after just two minutes. They attempted to break the deadlock early on with Gavin Holligan hitting wide of Scott Cooksey's goal from just outside the area, and Ian Wright played well when he stopped Sammy Winston on his run goalwards.

After eight minutes, Hereford made their first real effort when Jimmy Quiggin hit the ball goalwards from twenty yards, but Glass was equal to the shot. The K's Mark Beard, formerly of Sheffield United, Millwall and Southend United, hit a weak shot at Cooksey on eleven minutes and from then on, it was one-way traffic as Hereford laid seige to Kingstonian's goal.

Gavin Williams, who looked sharper and fitter on the night, received a ball from John Snape but he couldn't find the killer touch as Glass ran towards the loose ball to save. A couple of minutes later, Rob Elmes crossed for Williams, but Glass saved well to push the ball away for a corner.

With thity five minutes on the clock, Hereford almost went in front when Harris headed the ball on his own crossbar, and moments after, captain Ian Wright for Hereford had a superb header tipped over by Glass.

Half time came with Kingstonian lacking in ambition and content defending in numbers against Hereford's attack. The home side had much of the play overall, but failed to break through the K's back line.

The second half began in much the same way as the first had ended, with a Gavin Williams free-kick hit wide by Elmes, but Kingstonian were looking to break on the counter attack. They got their chance ten minutes in, when Gavin Holligan, who had looked dangerous up front for the K's all night, broke free and it took a good save from Scott Cooksey to keep the scores level. Holligan's pace was threatening the Hereford defence all night, and it was down to Cooksey on a couple of occasions that he didn't net.

On the hour, Sammy Winston, formerly of Ryman League side Sutton United, hit from close range and Cooksey made a superb diving save to keep Hereford in the game. Ian Wright fought back to drive a ball goalwards which Glass tipped just over, and then Ian Rodgerson shot inches over the crossbar.

Cooksey made a late save from a weak Winston shot, but Hereford had yet again failed to break the deadlock. One player warranting a special mention for Hereford was Matt Clarke, who tormented the K's left side of defence and linked well with Jimmy Quiggin to cause plenty of problems. The left wing wasn't quite as threatening, with Sturgess having a poor game. The former Charlton man came off with fifteen minutes left for youngster Nick Plotnick, and Paul Parry also entered the action for Jimmy Quiggin.

With both sides playing their third game in six days, obviously there were tired legs but it was good to see that frustation didn't boil over onto the pitch. Sammy Winston looked to get a little annoyed at a couple of decisions made by referee Mr. D. R. Spicer of Totten, but the official didn't have to make any bookings on the night.

Hereford secured two unwanted statistics this evening. Not only did they draw their tenth league match at Edgar Street this season, but just 867 turned out for the game, the lowest league gate ever at Edgar Street.

Hereford - Cooksey, Clarke, Wright, James, Sturgess, Quiggin, Rodgerson, Shirley, Snape, Williams, Elmes
Substitutions - Parry (73), Plotnek (76).

Man of the Match - Ian Wright.

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