Eight Years since Man Utd came to Edgar Street

News that Hereford United are hoping to arrange a pre-season friendly with Manchester United has led to supporters questioning when was the last time Sir Alex sent a team to Edgar Street.

Here's a report on the game from www.hu-fc.co.uk

Saturday 4th August 2001 - (3pm) - Pre-season friendly match

Bulls let in six but fans happy

Hereford United 0 - 6 Manchester United

Hereford United played their fourth pre season friendly this afternoon, at home against a very strong Manchester United side. Initially, Alex Ferguson confirmed that a reserve side would be travelling to Edgar Street, but yesterday a first team lineup was announced.

Hereford United had several injury worries going into the game. Captain Ian Wright, defender Matt Clarke, coach Phil Robinson and goalkeeper Scott Cooksey missed out on the starting lineup. Therefore, Matt Baker started in goal and Leon Jackson and Tony Collings were named in the starting eleven, both on trial. Rob Elmes partnered Gavin Williams in attack.

Ten Manchester United players in the squad has international experience. England internationals Phil Neville, Wes Brown, Nicky Butt and Andy Cole started, as did Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke, Denis Irwin and Quinton Fortune, much to the delight of the young Manchester United supporters. The squad was split in half and managed by Jim Ryan, whilst Alex Ferguson took Beckham, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy and Scholes to Wrexham.

There was a torrential downpour before the game but it wasn't enough to make the pitch over-wet or boggy. The rain continued throughout the game but failed to dampen the spirits of those coming to see the Premiership Champions in action.

For the opening fifteen minutes, Hereford did well to match Manchester in most areas, with the Red Devils failing to break into the Bulls half of the field within the opening two minutes. Paul Parry impressed, as did Gavin Williams, and Rob Elmes had a shot at Van Der Gouw. Youngster Jimmy Quiggin had an effort go wide, as did Tony James, Elmes and Williams.

However, it was not all Hereford! Wes Brown headed over from a corner, Dwight Yorke hit just wide of Baker's goal after good work from Keane and Butt, and Butt had a screaming thirty yard effort that just went over the crossbar. Phil Neville also came forward to hit across the goal, although no one could get the killer touch.

Dwight Yorke went close after twnety minutes, and seconds later at the other end, Jimmy Quiggin linked well to provide a cross for Elmes, who hit into the side netting. Had any of Hereford's early shots been scored, the game could have been a completely different story.

On twenty three minutes, the deadlock was broken. Nicky Butt had a good run into the box and as Matt Baker approached him, Butt chipped the ball over his head and into the net. Manchester had the lead. Three minutes later, Baker did well to punch away a corner and reacted well to the rebounding shot from Quinton Fortune.

Within a minute, Ronny Johnsen had clashed with Gavin Williams in a bad challenge by the Norweigan. Whilst Johnsen had a bad shoulder, he played on whilst Hereford's star man Williams was taken off for an ankle injury. He was replaced by Danny Davidson, a striker on trial.

Scott Goodwin showed up well in defence throughout the first period, going in hard but fairly, and doing well to prevent Dwight Yorke on one occasion. Baker did well to keep Manchester at bay, whilst Jackson had a good run at the other end, and Davidson had a header cleared off the line by Wes Brown.

Just as half time appeared on the horizon, Manchester doubled their advantage. Quinton Fortune had a good run into the box and unleashed a cracking shot which Matt Baker could do nothing about. Half time 2-0, but Hereford will have felt a little hard done by.

The second half started with two substitutions. Trialist Ian Richards came on for Collings, whilst Manchester swapped Paul Tierney for Ronny Johnsen. It started with an early Hereford effort from Richards, which went straight at the dominating Van Der Gouw, and a corner was cleared by Brown.

The extra fitness and skill of the Premiership side shone through as the game progressed and despite a Dwight Yorke miss and good work from Matt Baker, Manchester increased their lead on sixty five minutes. A cross from Michael Stewart was flicked in by Fortune who was on the Hereford goal line, with Matt Baker left helpless.

Four minutes later, it was 4-0 thanks to Dwight Yorke. The Trinidad and Tobagan international striker who cost £12,600,000, opened the Hereford defence before netting whilst one-on-one. However, Parry responded with a curling free-kick which just missed Van Der Gouw's post, and Danny Davidson had the physical presence but not the luck when in front of goal.

The introduction of Steve Piearce did little to inspire Hereford, who were tired and overwhelmed by Manchester, On seventy eight minutes, Andy Cole scored whilst one-on-one with Baker, but the former Hull goalkeeper did well to save later from Cole. Danny Davidson went close for Hereford, but Cole sealed the match at 6-0 with three minutes to go. Baker stood no chance as Andy Cole netted a scorcher from the right.

So, Manchester United won 6-0, but Hereford were not humiliated and the scoreline reveals the gap in fitness and skill, but not passion. The crowd of 4,625 included many Manchester supporters, and hopefully some will return to Edgar Street for future matches at their local club. The gate is anticipated to raise around £40,000 for the club - well needed cash for the Bulls.

Hereford's players impressed all over, including Gavin Williams until he had to come off. Paul Parry did very well, as did Scott Goodwin and John Snape for their commitment. Had the injured players been available for Hereford, who knows what a different game it could have been.

Hereford United: Matthew Baker, Leon Jackson, Scott Goodwin, Tony Collings, Tony James, Mark Williams, Jimmy Quiggin, John Snape (captain), Rob Elmes, Gavin Williams, Paul Parry.

Subs: Danny Davidson (on, 31 minutes) Ian Richards (on, half time) Christian James (on, 62 minutes) Steve Piearce (on, 74 minutes) Nick Plotnek (on, 84 minutes)

Manchester United: Raimond Van Der Gouw, Denis Irwin, Philip Neville, Wesley Brown,
Ronny Johnsen, Roy Keane (captain), Quinton Fortune, Nicky Butt, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Michael Stewart.

Subs: Paul Tierney (on, half time) Mark Lynch (on, 83 minutes)

Scorers: Nicky Butt (23), Quinton Fortune (45, 65), Dwight Yorke (69), Andy Cole (78, 87)

Man of the Match: Paul Parry
Attendance: 4,625
Referee: Andy Williams, Hereford

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