Bulls progress after penalties, again
Hereford United are in the draw for the area quarter finals of the LDV Vans Trophy following their 3-1 penalty victory over League One outfit Doncaster Rovers. Penalties were needed in the previous round after a 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United, but once again Hereford came out victorious.
Craig Mawson was given a chance to impress in goal, and impress he did. Ben Scott was reduced to the subs bench. Ryan Green was named on the subs bench along with Jamie Pitman and Lee Mills, all of who started the game last Saturday. Danny Williams, Graham Hyde and Rob Purdie were named in the four man midfield.
The game started lively without any real chances being created. Hereford played some neat passing football and were not troubled by Doncaster. Simon Travis' long pass found Craig Stanley on the right but his cross, destined for David Brown, was plucked out of the air well by Michael Ingham. Mark Robinson tried his luck from thirty yards before Tamika Mkandawire was called upon to clear Francis Tierny's dangerous right wing cross. Brown then hit a volley into the ground after Purdie cusioned Williams' cross for him and James Coppinger was unlucky not to have a penalty when he appeared to be tripped by Tony James.
Williams combined well with Adam Stansfield to create United's best opening of the half, his left footed drive found the foot of the post and bounced away. Brown hit the rebound against the 'keeper who was on the deck and then Purdie's effort was blocked and cleared moments before half time.
Former Hereford winger Michael McIndoe had a low shot well saved by Mawson at the start of the second period before Stansfield struck just wide after a Bulls counter attack. Mawson got lucky soon after when neither the referee of the linesman picked up on what seemed to be a clear fould on Coppinger by the debutee. He rushed off his line and took out the advancing attacker, but the again nothing was given.
Robinson had a low shot well saved by Ingham, making his debut in goal for Donny, after Graham Hyde, who had his best game for Hereford, switched play well. There was no blame attached to anyone when Adriano Rigoglioso handed Rovers the lead after fifty nine minutes. McIndoe swung a corner out to the midfielder who hammered a full volley from thirty yards that travelled like a rocket into the roof of the net. It is hard to remember a better strike at Edgar Street in recent years. The crowd off 1,375 could only admire the stunning strike.
Williams played the ball into Brown who found his strike partner Stansfield as United looked to reply. Stansfield skinned two defenders and was denied by a super finger tip save by Ingham when one on one. Coppinger hit a snap shot from the edge of the box that forced a good save from Mawson. Rob Purdie then struck a long range effort which took a deflection forcing Ingham into a great save, helping the ball around the post. Purdie pulled up with a knee injury after the shot though, but played on for a short while after.
Purdie assisted Williams in United's equalising goal. Hyde played the ball to the left where Purdie skinned Dave Mulligan and cut the ball back to just outside of the six yard box where Williams was on hand to tuck the ball into the far bottom corner. Brown came close to giving the Bulls the lead ten minutes later when he headed Stansfield's cross just wide.
Ben Jackson and Tim Ryan were introduced in place of Tierny and Nicolas Priet as Donny looked to re-take the lead. Robinson made a very important tackle to deny Priet an clear opportunity as Rovers pressed forwards. Lee Mills was then introduced for Rob Purdie, who was struggling with injury. Mills was involved instantly winning a corner after being set up by Williams and the corner found Williams who shot, but the 'keeper made a good point blank range save. It was in the second minute of injury time when Stansfield almost hit gold. Mills crossed from the right and Stansfield threw himself in the air with his back to goal and struck a stunning bicycle kick, that was inches wide.
Extra time saw a chance for either side in the first period ; Brown blazed well wide after a well worked freekick and Rigoglioso did the same after a good spell of pressure from Doncaster. Ryan Green was introduced for Stansfield towards the end of the half, the attacker picked up a minor knock. Graham Turner made his final change at half time, Hyde was replaced by Pitman.
The second half of extra time saw a number of wonderful opportunities for Doncaster to seal the tie. Coppinger crossed from the right and Chris Beardsley headed narrowley wide before McIndoe hammered a left wing cross against the frame of the goal from close range. The follow up from twenty five yards was wonderfully tipped away by Mawson. The corner was met by a Doncaster head and the effort beat the 'keeper, but man of the match Tamika Mkandawire was on the line to volley clear.
Robinson, who had one of his best games for United, was caught out moments later when he brought down an oppenent in the area. McIndoe stepped up only to see his penalty saved well low to Mawson's left. It was not the only time when Mawson denied Doncaster from the penalty spot ; the final whistle went with the score at 1-1 and a penalty shoot out was needed to decided a winner.
Brown scored first for United and McIndoe made no mistake second time round for Donny. James and Robinson had their efforts saved by Ingham and Mawson saved from Dave Morley before Nick Fenton shot wide. Travis scored and Rigoglioso was denied by his former team mate before Mills hammered high into the net to give Hereford a 3-1 win.
A very good performance by the Whites against a strong League One outfit may well give Hereford some much needed confidence. It will however, leave them with some very tired legs. The draw for the Area Quarter Final is live on Sky Sports Soccer AM on Saturday morning.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Travis, Mkandawire, James, Robinson, Williams, Hyde, Stanley, Purdie, Brown, Mills. Subs: Smith,Green, Scott, Pitman, Mills.
DRFC Team: Ingham, Mulligan, Fenton, Morley, Priet, McIndoe, Ravenhill, Rigoglioso, Tierny, Beardsley, Coppinger. Subs: Maloney, Warrington, Ryan, Price, Jackson.
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