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The Bulls entertain Crawley Town for the first time in six seasons on Saturday.
The two sides met in just two Conference seasons before the Bulls' return to the Football League, and the Red Devils are yet to get a win from the four encounters. After drawing the two meetings in the first season, the Bulls did the double in the 05/06 season with Jamie Pitman, Ryan Green, and Rob Purdie all featuring in the matches. Guy Ipoua scored in both matches as the Bulls won 2-0 at the Broadfield Stadium, and then won 2-1 at Edgar Street with Andy Williams scoring the other to complete the double.
The Bulls will look for a swift return to winning ways after their loss at Torquay. The pack will again have to be shuffled through injury, though the return to fitness of both Ryan Green and Bruno Dalibard should ease any serious concerns. For Dalibard, it would mean an Edgar Street debut with all three of the Frenchman's appearances so far coming away from home after more than three months with the club. With Sam Winnall departing, the arriving 6ft 3in Richard Peniket may also make a debut on Saturday.
Crawley's rise from part-time non-league status has been a story that you couldn't make up. A pair of near-bankruptcies, and the last-minute rescue of the club, were followed by the arrival of new Directors with a mysterious Far East backer that helped to clear the club's £1million debt and direct them towards the Football League. Questions continue to be asked about the source of funds, with claims of £500,000 in transfer fees and a £2million wage bill last term, but they insist it's all above board despite refusing point-blank to co-operate with the BBC over a feature a couple of weeks ago. Their manager, a convicted fraudster with a history of being invited to leave the dug-out, calls other fans 'jealous' of their success when such accusations surface. On the pitch Crawley are second to Southend only on goal difference, with the ever-dangerous Matt Tubbs joint top of the scorers list with nine.
Hereford United vs Crawley Town, Edgar Street, Saturday 5th November, 3.00pm.
