Hereford United recorded their second win in a row with a hard fought 2-0 success over Leeds United at Edgar Street this evening. The game could have taken a much different route had Lee Trundle converted a first-half penalty but failure to do so coupled with Jennison Myrie-Williams drilled opening goal sent The Bulls on their way to victory. Febian Brandy's deft finish in the second half doubled the advantage as Hereford saw out the remainder of the game comfortably in front of 6120, including some 1903 from Leeds.
With a number of injuries sustained during the win at Cheltenham, Graham Turner had to shuffle his defence about. New loan signing Godwin Antwi and Richard Jackson were introduced with Josh Gowling and Dean Beckwith making way. There were no other changes in the line up although Craig Jones came in on the bench. Leeds started with Luciano Becchio and Lee Trundle up front, with top goalscorer Jermaine Beckford out due to suspension. The highly rated Fabian Delph starred in the midfield as he looked to pull the strings for the Elland Road outfit, who lost at Huddersfield on the weekend and were looking to return back to winning ways to re-ignite their play-off push.
The visitors made a lively start with a host of possession but little to show for it; a long-range effort from Carl Dickinson tested Peter Gulacsi but the Hungarian shot-stopper held on. Hereford burst into life just after the 20th minute when a slip on the right-wing allowed Myrie-Williams a chance to run at the Leeds' defence beating three players on a 60 yard run before firing a powerful left foot shot just past the near post from inside the area. Steve Guinan sliced a shot from 20 yards wide after a weak Rui Marques header whilst at the other end, the Bulls' back-line backed off Becchio but the Argentinian couldn't hit the target from long-range after taking a pass down on his chest.
Leeds were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when a throw in made its way to Andy Robinson who played a one-two with Becchio and continued his run into the box. It was eventually ended by a push from Kris Taylor on the former Swansea winger and the referee pointed to the spot; Trundle steped up but he saw his placed spot-kick superbly saved by Gulacsi. From the corner that followed, Becchio was given time inside the box to place a header goalwards but it was blocked before a clearence was made. Within two minutes of the penalty decision, Hereford shocked Leeds by scoring through Myrie-Williams. The on loan Bristol City winger had to be thankful to the referee who played a good advantage after a late tackle on Brandy, allowing Sam Hewson to pick out Myrie-Williams on the left. He cut before drilling a left-foot shot under Casper Ankergren and into the far corner. With time running out in the first-half, Hereford showed increased confidence following the goal and Hewson saw a trickling half-volley go past the post following a cleared corner.
The second-half started as expected with Leeds looking to make an early impact on the Hereford defence and they nearly did just that when Becchio, seemingly offside, controlled a through ball to get a clear run in on goal. Just when the former Barcelona man looked like he may pull the trigger, Antwi made a last ditch tackle, perhaps illegally, to put the ball out for a corner. At the other end, Sam Gwynne tried his luck from 35 yards with an effort that had Ankergren scrambling but ultimately went wide. Simon Grayson introduced both Mike Grella and Bradley Johnson in place of the ineffective Trundle and Robert Snodgrass. Yet, the changes had little effect as soon after Hereford doubled their advantage.
Brandy's pace and persistance saw him win a free-kick near the corner flag allowing Myrie-Williams the chance to cross. The ball was floated towards the back-post where Antwi out jumped his marker to set up Brandy who touched in from close-range. The Man Utd loanee was delighted with his second goal in as many games, celebrating with an impressive backflip. Leeds tried their best to get back into the game but strong defending from a resillient Bulls' back-line ensured that only long-shots would threaten Gulacsi's goal. Johnson shot wildly over from 25 yards whilst Robinson sent a shot past the post after meeting a Richard Rose clearence.
David Prutton added experience to the Leeds' midfield, when he replaced Ben Parker but it was Hereford who looked dangerous on the break when good link-up between the front pairing of Guinan and Brandy saw the little striker flash a shot wide after a chest down from the former Cheltenham man. Robinson, much like Johnson's earlier effort, failed to trouble Gulacsi with a long-range effort before Hereford could have and probably should have put the icing on a very sweet cake when Guinan chased down a long punt forward by Gulacsi; Hereford's leading marksman shrugged off a challenge from Marques but his flick over Ankergren fell just over the bar. In the final moments, Brandy received a fine ovation when leaving the pitch to be replaced by the former Leeds youngster Simon Johnson whilst Leeds went close through Becchio, controlling a pass from B. Johnson but he couldn't hit the target with his strike landing just past Gulacsi's far post.
For the first time this season, Hereford have managed back to back wins and it couldn't have come at a more important time. The introduction of the Premiership loanees have added some much needed quality to the side, with all four showing experience beyond their age. Leeds looked tidy in possession, with Delph showing some class touches but they lacked quality in the final third with The Bulls defence putting in an excellent all round performance. Rose has had his critics but certainly looks comfortable in the centre of defence whilst Antwi made a very encouraging debut. Next up for Hereford is the visit of yet another play-off chasing outfit in Peterborough; the Posh have fond memories of Edgar Street as they secured promotion there last season.
Hereford: Gulacsi, Jackson, Antwi, Rose, Taylor, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Hewson, Myrie-Williams, Guinan, Brandy.
Subs: Veiga, Smith, Jones, Johnson, Done.
Leeds: Ankergren, Dickinson, Naylor, Marques, Parker, Snodgrass, Delph, Howson, Robinson, Becchio, Trundle.
Subs: Lucas, Michalik, Johnson, Prutton, Grella.
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