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| Players Shake Hands In Front Of The Impressive Main Stand |
Only one change was made as United looked to build on three straight victories; Martin Foyle opted to take a look at McDonald, with captain Stefan Stam left on the bench. Former Gumpers James Bittner and Luke Graham started for Hereford.
The early exchanges fared well for the Bulls with Ryan Bowman bursting into action. Chris Sharp linked up with his striker partner and Hereford's leading scorer fired a vicious strike against the frame of the woodwork. Moments later, Sam Clucas stung the fingertips of home 'keeper Sam Russell with a 25 yard drive.
Rovers took a while to settle into their stride on their home turf, despite keeping possession well in the middle of the park, they failed to trouble Bittner in between the sticks. A long-range free-kick from Yan Klukowski was a yard wide whilst Reece Connolly latched onto a long-ball to administer half a chance for himself but the excellent reactions of Bittner closed the gap and foiled the chance. As the half progressed to a close, Klukowski had an opportunity with a header from a Paul Green cross but he couldn't hit the target.
Ten minutes had passed in the second period when the away team took the lead through McDonald, much to the delight of the arduous 444 away following. A Clucas corner from the right was hung to the back-stick where McDonald outmuscled his man to powerfully volley past Russell.
Buoyed by the opener, Hereford pushed on with a deflected Clucas effort forcing another corner whilst the impressive Chris Bush surged forward from his left-back position, firing a cross cum shot goalwards which Russell was forced to push behind. A similar corner to the one that produced the goal was again met by McDonald with his header cleared off the line by former Watford midfielder Al Bangura.
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| Another Goal For Rod McDonald |
The hosts had their best opportunity of the game with just over fifteen minutes to go. A well-time pass found sub Magno Vieira but his goalbound effort was well stopped by Bittner and the follow up effort from Connolly superbly foiled by a block from Graham. As the hosts pushed men forward in search of the equaliser, the Bulls threatened on the counter. A misplaced back-pass by Jared Hodgkiss presented Bowman with a chance to fire goalwards, finding the side netting from an acute angle, whilst in stoppage time, Sharp found himself free from the final men but a heavy touch and rushed effort flashed past the post where he should have at least hit the target.
Another narrow away victory against a team who haven't been far from the play-off pack all season. Foyle will be delighted with two clean sheets in a row whilst United could have added to the solitary strike from McDonald on a number of occasions. This was my first game of 2013; if we can keep the core of this team then we'll give ourselves a solid punt at the play-offs next season. McDonald and Bush in particular were impressive, with Sharp running his socks off up top. An enjoyable evening out at the New Lawn, although consuming one of their badger pasties was one step too far for me! Next up for Hereford is the visit of Gateshead on Saturday and the possibility of a dodgy bobble for former 'keeper Adam Bartlett.
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| Three Points For The Bulls |
Subs: Gallinagh, Heath, Stam, Smikle, Jackson.
Forest Green: Russell, Hodgkiss, Turley, Oshodi, Stokes, Green, Bangura, Forbes, Klukowski, Burns, Connolly.
Subs: Bulman, Asafu-Adjaye, Collins, Vieira, Odubade.
