From the Archives - Bulls Defeat Daggers

Ten years ago today Hereford United entertained Dagenham at Edgar Street and won the game 1-0.

April 16th 2002: HEREFORD United 1 - 0 Dagenham & Redbridge (report by Terry Goodwin)

A late, late goal from player-coach Phil Robinson secured Hereford United's Nationwide Conference status in dramatic fashion tonight, as the Bulls overcame championship favourites Dagenham & Redbridge by a solitary goal.

The result means Hereford jump to thirteenth in the league and Dagenham remain second, behind Boston who lost 2-0 at Scarborough tonight.

The result was even more surprising as Hereford failed to field an out-and-out striker in the starting eleven. Rob Elmes missed out through injury and Paul Parry was suspended, so Jimmy Quiggin partnered Gavin Williams in attack. Matt Clarke passed a late fitness test to start in midfield along with Scott Goodwin, and Richard Holmes reverted to a right-back role. Garry Hill's Dagenham side were without several suspended players but still managed to name a strong starting eleven.

The Daggers opened the stronger of the two sides, and a combination of fussy officials and indifferent Hereford play resulted in some early tension for Bulls fans. Then the game settled down with Hereford having the better of the play over the half. Scott Goodwin headed a Gavin Williams free kick wide after four minutes, and two minutes later Williams launched a deep free kick to Wright, who knocked onto Tony James. The Welsh centreback proceeded to smash the ball against the inside of the post before the ball bounced away to safety.

Dean Barrick was strong at the back after ten minutes when Dagenham's Danny Hill hit the post, before firing the rebound goalwards only for Barrick to clear off the line. The game at this point was an end-to-end affair, with Hereford's defence looking particularly strong. At the other end, Jimmy Quiggin and Gavin Williams moved well together, whilst defender Holmes appeared impressive when advancing forward.

However, it was Dagenham who tested Hereford on twenty six minutes, when a corner was headed off the line by Holmes after being nodded goalwards by Matt Jones. Twelve minutes later, Matt Clarke and Williams connected well before the former launched a low ball across goal, only for Quiggin to fail to connect when just four yards out.

The second half was more subdued but Hereford still held their own against an ambitious and, at times, desperate Dagenham side. Richard Holmes and Matt Clarke were unlucky with efforts at the Dagenham end, whilst the away team's Paul Terry and Danny Hill wildly missed efforts which should have tested United goalkeeper Matt Baker.

After sixty four minutes, Baker was called into action. A first time shot from Jones saw Baker react quickly to tip the ball around the post when it looked destined for the back of the net. Despite dominating, Dagenham created few clear cut chances to trouble Hereford and with ten minutes left, Phil Robinson made a surging run from midfield before knocking the ball out wide to Matt Clarke, but his cross-cum-shot was caught easily by ex-QPR and Wales goalkeeper Tony Roberts.

The away side made two late substitutions in addition to their first half change in the hope fo finding a goal, but it was Hereford who were having the best of the play. A superb cross with six minutes left from Dean Barrick was smashed into the side netting by WIlliams, and penalty appeals were turned down two minutes later when a Dagenham defender appeared to handle the ball.

With two minutes left, the deadlock was broken. A Gavin Williams corner from the left was headed on by Ian Wright on the back post, and coach Phil Robinson turned the ball inside the near post to ensure the home side collected all three points. Dagenham scrambled late on; even 'keeper Roberts advanced to the Hereford penalty area for a couple of set-pieces, but it was to no avail.

Hereford United: Matt Baker, Richard Holmes, Dean Barrick, Phil Robinson, Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Scott Goodwin, John Snape, Jimmy Quiggin, Gavin Williams, Matt Clarke (off, 81 minutes)

Subs: Ross Diamond, Stuart Jones, Steve Piearce, John Shirley (on, 81 minutes), Chris Rowle

Yellow cards: Ian Wright (foul, 7 minutes) Matt Clarke (foul, 42 minutes)

Scorer: Phil Robinson (88 minutes)
Man of the Match: Ian Wright
Attendance: 1,583
Referee: Mr. S. R. Brand (The Wirral)

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