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Two tie at top
After the Scarborough match, Cheesy and Phil have both overtaken Smbull at the top of the HU-FC.co.uk Prediction Leagie table and will enter a play-off for the monthly title - the person who gains most points from their prediction at the Dagenham match will win the prize.
In the main table, Cheesy, Smbull and Len Weston's Last Stand are four points clear of the rest with twenty seven points each. Keep up the good work!
The full table can be viewed through the 'Interactive!' link on the left menu.
Boro' boss upbeat
Scarborough boss Russell Slade was delighted with his side's 1-0 win at Hereford United yesterday.
“We grinded out a result,” he said. “They had a few long distance shots but nothing to worry us. The side is getting more resilient and back to somewhere like we were last season. It was a very solid performance and a good goal by David Pounder who linked up well with Bimbo Fatokun to score.”
Slade, who has been laid low by a virus this week, was in jubilant form afterwards: "If ever a man needed a tonic it was me," he said. "That was better than all the pills I've been taking."
His opposite number Graham Turner was disappointed: "We were a shadow of the side that's done so well in recent away games.".
Meanwhile, there is a correction to one of our previous articles. The prize in BOLSA's Last Team Standing competition stands at £106, and the total raised is £294.
O'Kelly disappointed
Talking to local media after the game, Bulls coach Richard O'Kelly thought that after several good results today was one of those days when it did not really happen.
"We were creating opportunities, we were in good areas to deliver but they never really materialised. A little bit Irish but that is my background!
"The team was a bit disrupted today with John Grant missing. Paul Parry moved up-front and he had an excellent game but he always looks better to me coming from behind. His ability to run at people causes more problems."
John Grant's injury is "not really serious. It is a fracture, he's got a little crack in his fibula. Two to three weeks and he should be okay."
O'Kelly continued: "The squad of players we have got is, I think, the smallest in the Conference. Even today their effort and enthusiam was outstanding. If we can stay free of injuries hopefully things will go well for us."
This time nil
A poor Hereford performance this afternoon resulted in a 1-0 victory to Scarborough. Tim's report is now available here.
Last time it was six!
It does not seem only 48 weeks ago that Scarborough last visited Edgar Street and went home with six goals scored against them. That match was one of the few highlights of the Conference season with goals scored by Wright, Snape, Parry, Williams (Gavin), Elmes and Quiggin. Hereford could have made it seven but Quiggin missed a penalty. It was the Bulls highest ever score in the Conference but on the downside the attendance that day was only 1346.
A gate of close to 2000 is expected tomorrow which if reached will help the club's income by over £4000 compared with the same game last season.
Graham Turner knows Scarborough will not do Hereford any favours. On BBC Hereford and Worcester he said: "They are quite well organised and very competitive. They have a style of play which is difficult to play against. Big lad up-front and they play a lot of stuff in the air up to him."
He also commented that with 20 points from the first 10 matches everyone should be delighted especially as six of those games have been away from home. "I do feel that we have every chance of finishing in the top five " he said.
Turner expecting tough ride
Scarborough will be a tough test for Hereford United tomorrow at Edgar Street, kick off 3pm.
According to boss Graham Turner, the Bulls could face once of their biggest challenges so far this season.
Speaking to the Evening News, he said: "We've had them watched and the style of play they've got makes them difficult to break down. "They are no frills with a big giant forward up front who they like to knock it up to as early as possible. They had a good end to the season last year and on paper are a tough proposition."
Scarborough are unbeaten in their last five matches, including three wins, and boss Russell Slade said: "The good thing is the club has come forward so much that you've got the likes of Sillah, whose come on as one of the squad of twenty, and got a great goal and man-of-the-match on his debut. In the bigger picture, we've now won three and drawn two of the last five, which is the start of a good run."
United have only won once at home this season which Turner is hoping to change.
"We've been nice and relaxed away from home, soaking up pressure without really dominating," he said. "But you always need to take the game to your opponents especially at home, so we won't be sitting back."
"If you look around the team is much younger than last year," he said. "Last year in midfield we had three players in their 30s but this time we've got Rose, 20, Williams 21 and Purdie 19. Although the squad is quite small in terms of football talent there is more ability than there has been."
Hereford team-news is that John Grant is a doubt with a calf injury, and Ken Griffiths and Ben Smith will both miss out. Scarborough manager Russell Slade will pick from the squad that overcame Leigh RMI on Tuesday. Richard Dryden, Steve Baker, Jason Blunt and Nick Henry are once again sidelined by injury.
Last Team Standing - first round
Did you enter the Last Team Standing competition? If so, here are the results.
The results for the teams that were randomly assigned to people in the 1st Qualifying round of the FA Cup were:-
- Bedlington Terriers 1 v Ossett Albion (John Perkins) 0
- Dunston Federation Brewery (Jane Griffiths) 2 v Selby Town (David Jeffery) 0 - Dunston Federation Brewery (Jane Griffiths) are at home to Burscough in the next round
- Workington 2 v Mossley (David Jeffery) 1
- Hallam (Denise Powell) 2 v Stocksbridge Park Steels 3
- Morpeth Town (Graham Causer) 0 v Guisborough Town 1
- Guiseley 3 v Hebburn Town (John Perkins) 0
- Peterlee Newtown (Katy Jaekel) 4 v Louth United (John Perkins) 0 - Peterlee Newtown (Katy Jaekel) will be away to Durham City in the next round
- Atherton Collieries 1 v Salford City (Chris Oleksy) 0
- Nantwich Town (John Perkins) 2 v Rocester 0 - Nantwich Town will be at home to Biddulph Victoria in the next round
- Kings Lynn 4 v Quorn (Nigel Preece) 1
- Blackstone 2 v Pelsall Villa (Katy Jaekel) 2 - Pelsall Villa (Katy Jaekel) won the replay 3-2 and will be away to Bedford Town in the next round
- Bromsgrove Rovers (Richard Price) 5 v Gresley Rovers 0 - Bromsgrove Rovers (Richard Price) will be at home to Tamworth in the next round
- Leek Town 2 v Spalding United (John Perkins) 1
- Stratford Town (Rob Powell) 1 v Bedworth United 2
- Stewarts & Lloyds (Richard Price) 0 v Burnham (Tony Oleksy) 1 - Burnham (Tony Oleksy) will be at home to Herne Bay in the next round
- Cheshunt 4 v Edgware Town (Denise Powell) 0
- Hertford Town 1 v AFC Wallingford (Martin Watson) 4 - AFC Wallingford (Martin Watson) will be at home to Eastbourne Borough in the next round
- Royston Town (Elaine Harrison) 3 v London Colney (Jon Watts) 2 - Royston Town (Elaine Harrison) will be away to Flackwell Heath (Graham Johnson) in the next round
- Barking & East Ham United 1 v Banbury United (G. Kelly) 0
- Harefield United (Niki Munn) 2 v Barton Rovers 1 - Harefield United (Niki Munn) will be at home to AFC Sudbury in the next round
- Diss Town 3 v Romford (John Perkins) 0
- Southall (Gary Watts) 2 v Yaxley 3
- Flackwell Heath (Graham Johnson) 2 v Buckingham 1 - Flackwell Heath (Graham Johnson) will be at home to Royston Town (Elaine Harrison) in the next round
- Wingate & Finchley (Mitch Stansbury) 2 v Ware 0 - Wingate & Finchley (Mitch Stansbury) will be away to St. Albans City in the next round
- Bromley (John Perkins) 2 v BAT Sports 1 - Bromley (John Perkins) will be away to Leatherhead in the next round
- Herne Bay 3 v Cowes Sports (John Perkins) 2
- Chatham Town (Graham Johnson) 2 v Godalming & Guildford 3
- Bognor Regis Town 4 v Windsor & Eton (Richard Price) 1
- Tunbridge Wells 2 v Selsey (Graham Johnson) 2 - Selsey (Graham Johnson) won the replay 2-1 and will be away to Hastings United in the next round
- Hillingdon Borough (G. Kelly) 2 v Lymington & New Milton 3
- Eastbourne Borough 6 v AFC Newbury (Graham Causer) 2
- St. Leonards 1 v Slough Town (Jamie Griffiths) 2 - Slough Town (Jamie Griffiths) will be away to AFC Totton in the next round
- Cray Wanderers 1 v Whyteleafe (Rob Powell) 0
- Team Bath (Richard Price) 3 v Backwell United 0 - Team Bath (Richard Price) will be at home to Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the next round
- Weston Super Mare 3 v Wimborne Town (John Perkins) 1
- Clevedon Town (Martin Watson) 2 v Dorchester Town 0 - Clevedon Town (Martin Watson) will be away to Weston Super Mare in the next round
- Gloucester City (Mitch Stansbury) 3 v Bashley 0 - Gloucester City (Mitch Stansbury) will be at home to Newport County in the next round
- Highworth Town 2 v Cinderford Town (Richard Price) 3 - Cinderford Town (Richard Price) will be away to Evesham United in the next round.
Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to those whose teams went out - it was down to the luck of the draw! The second qualifying round plays tomorrow. A total of £106 has been raised - thanks to all that participated.
Watch those cards
Although Hereford United have one of the better discipline records so far this season, manager Graham Turner is worried about the problems any suspensions would pose given he is operating on such a small squad.
Turner told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "What annoys me is when we get booked for stupid things like kicking the ball away or retaliation. You will never stop players from mistiming tackles. You need a little bit of sense and consistency from referees. I don't think we always get that. I think they are too ready to produce a yellow card for every foul that is conceded. Certainly we have got to make sure that we steer clear of suspensions as much as we possibly can."
At present Hereford have had 16 yellow cards with both Michael Rose and Danny Williams on three. Five yellow means an automatic one game suspension.
Meanwhile Hereford United are considering offering veteran midfielder Ian Hamilton a contract, strictlyconference.com has revealed.
The 34-year-old midfielder has been training with the Bulls for the last three days and is close to securing a move to Edgar Street which could be on a non-contract basis although it is yet to be finalised. Hamilton began his career at Southampton in 1985 but failed to make a league appearance for the Saints before joining Cambridge during the 1987/88 season. He made 24 league appearances and scored one goal for the U’s eventually moving on to Scunthorpe United playing 145 league matches and scoring 18 goals in four seasons with the Iron.
In 1992 West Brom paid £160,000 for the skilful midfielder, who possesses a powerful shot and has an eye for goal, with Hamilton playing 240 league games and scoring 23 goals for the Baggies until leaving the Hawthorns to sign for Sheffield United in 1997. While at Bramall Lane the Stevenage-born player made just 45 league appearances, scoring three goals in a three-year spell with the Blades.
Hamilton previously played for Notts County and before joining the Magpies also had a brief loan spell at Grimsby Town.
Development plans underway
Herefordshire is ready for its biggest ever development which will include the football club, according to today's Hereford Times.
A £200 million redevelopment to transform the city into the `social, leisure and cultural' centre of the Marches goes out to tender next week.
The plan itself has cost a six-figure sum to produce, and they could be on show as early as the new year - then negotiations with twenty two developers can start.
However, the plan is threatened by the relocation of the cattle market, which has hit opposition and could but investors off the scheme.
The scheme, though, already has a slogan: `The Place to Come and The Place to Be'.
The football club will stay at Edgar Street and incorporate a multi-sport/leisure centre - the kind of scheme likely to attract funding. Furthermore, a separate exhibition/arts and conference area connected to The Courtyard and an Arts Academy is envisaged on the current Cattle Market site, along with new council headquarters, police headquarters, a possible library and even a cinema.
With a preliminary £200 million price tag, the Edgar Street grid is Herefordshire's biggest ever development brief and amongst the most ambitious in Europe.
Bulls aim for second home win
Hereford United will look for their second home win of the season against Scarborough at Edgar Street on Saturday, kick off 3pm.
Unbeaten in their last three matches, United will wait on the fitness of John Grant after the attacker was hit with a calf injury in Tuesday's 3-2 win at Kettering Town. Ken Griffiths, the reserve goalkeeper, could also miss out with glandular fever.
The Bulls haven't won at Edgar Street since the first day of the season, when they beat Farnborough Town 2-1. Since then, they have lost to Morecambe, and clinched points in goalless draws against both Chester City and Yeovil Town.
Two re-elected to board
Hugh Brookes, the Hereford United director, has said that last season's loss should be 'significantly lower' after the club lost £108,913 in the 2000/01 season.
He made this announcement at Monday's fifty-fourth AGM of Hereford United where fourteen shareholders and six directors were present, as reported by Richard Prime in today's Hereford Times.
Chairman Graham Turner said that an informal shareholders' meeting would be held on December 9th to update people on the redevelopment of the Edgar Street grid.
In the meeting, which lasted just twelve minutes, directors Ron Jukes and George Hyde retained their positions and Turner thanked main sponsors Sun Valley, other sponsors, advertisers and supporters for their backing and off-the-field staff for their hard work.
In an informal question-and-answer session after the main meeting, Turner said that there seemed to be an `impasse' between the council and developers over what may happen on the football ground.
His fellow director George Hyde added, however, that there were `reassuring noises' coming from both developers Chelverton and Herefordshire Council.
Turner agreed that there was no advantage to Chelverton in putting the club out of business and the presence of major developers the Richardson brothers could be very positive.
"We're told that it's to our advantage that the Richardsons are part of the deal," he said. "We're told they will not do anything harmful to the club as it would harm their image."
In response to a question, Turner said that the club was still legally contracted to support relocation.
"But it's very evident that there will be no relocation," he said, confirming that the club had now paid off 40p in the pound of its commitment under the Company Voluntary Arrangement undertaken in 1998.
Hyde concluded by paying tribute to Graham Turner, company secretary Joan Fennessy and chief scout Ron Jukes.
"How many people would go six months without a salary like they did? That is dedication beyond the call of duty," he said. "The teamwork off the field is brilliant."
Guinan jubliant after last minute winner
Kettering Town manager Carl Shutt was disappointed with his side's 3-2 defeat to Hereford United last night. "We seem to be punished for every mistake we make, but then again we're still making the same errors," he said.
For Hereford, a jubilant Steve Guinan told the Evening News: "I was delighted with my goal and it was an excellent left-footed cross from Ian Wright. Although we conceded an early goal, we always thought that we could score ourselves.
Ian Wright, interviewed by BBC Hereford & Worcester, commented: "We knew it would be tough.We came here confident and I think we deserved the win." He thought that the injury to John Grant was not serious and so he should be available for Saturday's game against Scarborough.
Ex Bulls player Scott Goodwin was profiled in the Kettering programme. He said: "I was very disappointed to leave Edgar Street. The fans at Hereford were superb as was everything else about the club but it was just the money side of it really. The circumstances were such that it was just time to get away. I live in Coventry and Hereford was full time and it was quite a trek, which took its toll as well."
He is part time with Kettering and appears to be looking for an extra job, probably in coaching, which he has done in the past for Coventry City at their Academy.
One sad note, a small child with the Hereford fans was hit by a missile apparantly thrown by a Kettering follower. The incident occurred at full-time and luckily St Johns Ambulance personnel were on hand to assist. The child looked to have a cut on the head. The United support totalled around 180.
United win with last minute goal
Hereford United beat Kettering Town 3-2 with a last minute goal from Steve Guinan. Terry's report is now available here.
Turner taking nothing for granted
Hereford United boss Graham Turner is taking nothing for granted against Kettering Town tonight, kick off 7.45pm.
The Bulls go to Rockingham Road with the home side just one point off the bottom of the league, and told the Evening News that although the central defensive unit of Ian Wright, Tony James and Andy Tretton is working well, they expect a tough test tonight.
"The three have developed an understanding and have enough ability in the air to be a threat," he said. "We've looked solid at the back and the fact Matt Clarke got forward to get his second from open play just shows how they are encouraged to get in the opposing box, confident that those three are behind."
Turner added: "We played very well in the first half against Stevenage and scored two good goals but had to withstand a bit of a beating in the second half. But we didn't concede any clear-cut chances and we move on with confidence to Kettering. However I've war-ned the players it won't be easy because Kettering are scrapping for everything.
"They've been promoted and as so often happens found it difficult at first but it is going to be as tough as it gets and they have had a couple of decent results in their last few matches."
The foundations for success?
The last time I wrote for this web-site I was sceptical about the three man back line and how effective it might be. Time to take another look, I think. The first thing to be said is that only one goal has been conceded in the last 5 games, which is a defensive record to be proud of. Tony James has been excellent, covering well and looking composed on the ball. Tretton has looked solid enough, Ian Wright looks the least comfortable but has coped. The objective of getting the full backs further forward has been achieved and certainly paid off against Stevenage when they both scored. Rose did what he has threatened to do several times already, hammering in a great free kick, and Clarke scored his second of the season. So to answer the question I posed last time, 3-5-2 or 4-4-2?, it looks like 3-5-2 gets the vote. All of which shows why Graham Turner is running a football club and I'm not!
The forwards are now the area for concern, not the defence. One goal from Guinan and one from Parry, and that's it. Grant looks like a player who lacks confidence, not ability, and he needs a goal soon before it becomes a problem. Even the greatest strikers have bad patches (look at Michael Owen's current form) so it's important that the crowd stay off his back. I don't think that he and Guinan get the right sort of service and seem to spend a lot of time chasing high balls for flick ons when they're probably better with the ball into their feet, looking to turn defenders, or feeding midfielders coming through to support them, which they don't do enough. Maybe the idea of playing Parry in behind the front two, as was tried at Woking could be the answer. The midfield also need to compete more for the scrappy stuff when moves break down - against Yeovil they just weren't quick enough to the ball.
However, the current position, having held two of the strongest teams in the league, is good. Ambitions for a play off spot look realistic, and if current form is maintained the crowds should start to creep up. Let's hope that the usual Hereford doom merchants don't start whining and desert the team the minute they have a poor result, which will inevitably happen occasionally. I think we should allow ourselves a little optimism!
Griffiths to miss Poppies trip
Hereford United go to Kettering Town tomorrow night without reserve goalkeeper Ken Griffiths.
Griffiths will miss the match, to kick off at 7.45pm at Rockingham Road, because of glandular fever.
Ben Smith is also still missing for Hereford.
Kettering have several injury problems, but are likely to field ex-Bull Scott Goodwin in midfield. Poppies boss Carl Shutt told the Northants Evening Telegraph: "We seem to have players dropping like flies with every game. Gez (Murphy), Dale (Watkins) and Garry (Hughes) all sat out on Saturday. And now Lee (Howarth) and Craig (Norman) have joined them."
Kettering drew 2-2 against in-form Northwich Victoria on Saturday, but squandered victory as the Vics notched a late goal to secure a point.
Away success surprises Turner
Hereford United boss Graham Turner can't really work out why the Bulls are playing better away from Edgar Street.
“I don’t know why we are doing so well away from home I cannot put my finger on it,” Turner told strictlyconference.com. “We look nice and relaxed and seem happy to soak up the pressure but there is no change of formation or tactics when we play away. But we have had four awkward home games against Chester, Yeovil, Morecambe and Farnborough. We came unstuck especially against Morecambe at home but just now we have a side brimming with confidence.”
Of the potential league success, he added: “There is a long, long way to go but it’s nice to be looking down at teams rather than looking up. “What it has done is create interest in the club again because we’ve messed around for too long near the bottom of the table and it is about time we gave our supporters something to shout about.”
Football as you've never seen it before
If you weren't at the Hereford United match against Stevenage yesterday then the next best place to be was at Edgar Street - watching the stars of Emmerdale Farm and Coronation Street, writes James Preece.
An attendance of around 400-500 soap fans turned up for a close look at the stars and they weren't disappointed; there was an outburst of clapping and cheering as the stars walked onto the pitch. As it was, kick off was scheduled for 2pm but with a mini-pitch invasion of eager soap fans kick off was postponed until 2.30pm.
When the match got under way, seemingly to the surprise of the crowd it was Emmerdale that had the early pace, shooting towards the Meadow End stand. Coronation Street quickly fought back with a shot just inside the area which sailed over the crossbar. From then on it was all Emmerdale, and by the 30th minute they had got a 1-0 lead and were looking good, but an injury time lapse in defence by Emmerdale allowed the equaliser to creep in from a lob inside the six yard box.
The crowd were hyped up as the players rejoined the pitch after the break with news that Hereford had taken a 2-0 lead at Stevenage. Emmerdale quickly resumed exactly where they left off firing a shot straight in the back of the net. From then on Emmerdale sat back and took the chances as they came, defending well, and with ten minutes to go there was another goal from Emmerdale, making it 3-1.
The last ten minutes were played defensively as Coronation Street tried to make a late comeback, but bringing all the players forward proved a mistake and Emmerdale were free to run the ball into the box from the half way line, thanks to a blunder by the Corrie keeper. Almost as soon as the re-start was made then Emmerdale, with 30 seconds of the game remaining had a wishful effort outside the box, but it was then deflected by a Coronation Street defender, leaving the keeper diving the wrong way, it was tucked up home as the final whistle went, the game finished Emmerdale Farm 5, Coronation Street 1.
150 not out!
Ian Wright made his 150th appearance for Hereford at Stevenage this afternoon, in front of about three hundred Bulls supporters. He must have been very pleased with both his own performance and that of the team.
Hereford have now kept three consecutive clean sheets against top opposition and should continue this good run of form against Kettering Town next Tuesday.
After the game, Michael Rose said: "The lads have performed well. I think second half we held on a bit and we had to defend quite a bit, but I think overall we played well. We seem to do really well away from home, we've had a few good results and we need to keep it going now." Graham Turner added " It is such a tight league, everyone is beating everyone but I think we are capable of giving most sides a bit of trouble. He was delighted with the performance and beleives the Bulls can now shoot for a top five place.
Stevenage is one of the better Conference grounds to visit. Away supporters get a good view of the game, even being seated behind the goal. Getting to the ground is easy, with clear sign posted directions, but the admission for children was high at £7.
In the press box today was former Hereford United favourite Ricky George. Barnet, his local team were at Scarborough.
Hereford continue good form
The Bulls won convincingly at Stevenage today with first half goals from Matt Clarke and Michael Rose. Hereford are now unbeaten in five games and lie fifth in the table with a game in hand over the top four. Terry's report is now available here.
More from Turner
"I'm not too disappointed " ( with our recent results ) Graham Turner told Trevor Owens of BBC H & W. "I think we could have played better in the Yeovil match, for half an hour we allowed them to dominate us. The longer the game went on the better we got. I thought we got stronger in the second half and competed a lot better. Did not play as well as we possibly can, I think we can do a lot better on the ball. But I have got to say in the two matches, we defended ever so well. The back three, Wright, James and Tretton have been very solid.Tretton has settled in very well and he has this habit of blocking shots.
"Going to Stevenage I think they are going to be a difficult side, bags of experience in there but we are full of confidence at the moment. We have worked hard as a side and I'm sure that we can get over that poor first half hour against Yeovil. We have looked at it in training, how we can start better in the games, why they dominated us in that period and how we can put it right.
"The away form and the level of performance has been excellent.It has been one of our downfalls in the past that we have not taken enough points away from home but I think the players really beleive they are capable of going to both Stevenage and Kettering ( next Tuesday ) and picking up maximum points.
BBC Hereford and Worcester are holding an open weekend tomorrow and Sunday.at their Hylton Road studios. Amidst the attractions is an auction in aid of the Acorn Hospice and one of the prizes is a signed photograph of the world famous Ricky George goal from the Hereford cup game against Newcastle in 1972. The auction will start in the Dave Bradley show from 9am.
Turner ready for Boro' test
Graham Turner's Hereford United are ready for whatever Stevenage Borough might throw at them tomorrow at Broadhall Way, kick off 3pm.
The Hereford boss told the Evening News that United aim to keep up their good away run, which has seen them win three of their four matches so far.
"We've had them watched and they are a threat," said Turner. "They've got a fair bit of experience and are a very solid Conference side - definitely top six or eight material."
"I think if you look at our last four games, two wins away and two home draws, it hasn't been a disaster," said Turner. "I would have liked to take more points but our away form has been quite impressive.
"I think Yeovil for a period in the first half outplayed us and they are a good side while Chester were solid and hardworking and very difficult to beat. We must pick up and carry on our away form and take that to Stevenage."
Bulls amongst the frontrunners
Hereford United are 20/1 joint fifth-favourites to win the Nationwide Conference this season, according to Skybet.tv.
Also quoted at 20/1 are Barnet, Burton Albion and Morecambe, with Yeovil Town 11/4 favourites. Forest Green Rovers are 200/1 outsiders and currently lie bottom of the league.
Despite scoring four goals already this season, Hereford midfielder Jamie Pitman is at 66/1 to win the Conference golden boot this season, alongside John Grant and Paul Parry.
Dagenham's Mark Stein is favourite at 4/1.
Parry hoping for Boro' return
Paul Parry could be set to return to the Hereford United side after missing the last two matches with an ankle injury.
The Bulls go to Steveange Borough tomorrow in a Nationwide Conference encounter, kick off 3pm.
Midfielder Ben Smith is still out after dislocating his shoulder pre-season and will spend a fortnight at the FA Training Centre at Lilleshall to boost his fitness.
Stevenage manager Wayne Turner has made Adrian Clarke, Scott Houghton, Paul Sturgess and DJ Campbell available for loan or transfer. Boro have had two offers from Ryman League clubs for Campbell, 19, but the player insists he wants to remain in the Conference. A five-figure bid from Margate for striker Jean-Michel Sigere has been rejected.
Stevenage or Hereford?
If you're not going to Stevenage Borough on Saturday, you can still support the Bulls by getting yourselves down to Edgar Street.
Emmerdale are playing Coronation Street in the battle of the ITV soaps, with many of the two series' main characters appearing including Corrie's Curly, Vik and Kevin and Scott, Marc and Robert from Emmerdale.
The stars are expected to arrive at 1.15pm to sign autographs and kick off is at 2pm - admission is strictly pay on the day and funds go to Hereford United FC.
Club apologise over Welsh flag issue
Hereford United have publicly apologised for the confusion over whether the Welsh flag should be allowed inside Edgar Street.
Following yesterday's board meeting, the club confirm that all national flags are welcome and that they are firm supporters of the FA's 'Kick Racism Out of Football' campaign.
A statement was released through the official website clearing up the situation earlier today.