Green wants to impress

Ryan Green, Hereford United's replacement for Matt Clarke, is hoping that Welsh manager, Mark Hughes, will be watching his performance on Sky tomorrow evening.



Green, who has fitted in at Edgar Street so well, moved to Hereford on a free from Sheffield Wednesday last summer. He was the youngest ever player to win a full cap for Wales at seventeen but after Dave Jones released him from Wolves his career went downhill.



In today's Non-League Paper, Green says: "I played against Malta and Tunisia when I was seventeen and although I don't think the pressure got to me, I had a few injuries which seemed to set me back.



"Now Graham Turner has taken a chance on me so I am very grateful for the opportunity to show what I can do.



"This is definitely last chance saloon for me. I was nearly out of a job in the summer and it has made me appreciate football a lot more. Maybe when I was younger I used to go out a bit too much, but now I am back with my family in Cardiff and fully focused.



" I think I will have to get back into Division One to get picked for Wales again, but I am only 23 and haven't ruled it out. Hopefully we can win promotion this season and take it from there."

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Baker likes being on TV

Matt Baker, the Hereford United first choice stopper, has been telling the Non-League Paper of his love of being on television in advance of tommorrow's clash with Dagenham and Redbridge. In a long article written by Colin Mafham, Baker gives an insight into why Hereford start firm favourites for this game.



"It won't be a case of performing for the cameras on Monday, but I always seem to do well on TV, it's something of a lucky omen. And as we seem to have to have got in plenty of shots even in our dullest games this season, we are hoping to put on a good show," said Baker.



"People keep asking me what the difference is (this season) and I can tell them only one thing, it's because we've bonded as a group. While other sides signed new players in the summer the only real change in our team is Ryan Green at full-back.



"They're very young as well, I'm a veteran at 23 and one of the longest servants, and there is a confidence about them. We're not arrogant or over-confident, but at the moment we feel that whatever happens, even if we're playing the referee as well, we will come through. That is a massive strength to have."



Baker has been with the Bulls for four years and in that time the Bulls have only lost one game, against Wigan, in six televised matches.

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Chester close gap

Chester City have closed the gap with Hereford United to one point after their victory against Woking by two goals to one at the Deva Stadium this afternoon. However the attendance was only 2085.



Aldershot move up to third after beating Halifax 3-1.



The table now reads:

HEREFORD 13-32

Chester 14-31

Aldershot 14-29

Barnet 14-27

Exeter 14-25



Upset of the day was the defeat of Barnet by Tamworth 2-0.



Meanwhile the draw for the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup takes place on Monday. The Bulls enter the competition at this stage.

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Defeat on the cards for Chester

Hereford United will be hoping for Woking to do them a favour this afternoon, as the Cardinals take on Chester City at the Deva Stadium.



Chester could be without striker Daryl Clare, and first choice 'keeper Wayne Brown who is only rated 50-50. Chester have only scored one goal in their previous three games and have drawn those last three games.



Whatever the result, the Bulls will remain on top of the table at the end of the day, but if Woking were to draw or defeat Chester City, it would leave Hereford at least three points clear of Mark Wrights team with a game in hand.



If Chester were to suffer defeat today, Barnet and Aldershot could take over them in the league. Aldershot play hosts to Halifax, currently lieing eleventh, at the Recreation Ground and Barnet travel to the Lamb to face Tamworth, who are nineteenth and one place out of the relegation zone.



If results go Herefords way today, the Bulls could open up a large gap of seven points on Monday night when they play Dagenham & Redbridge, live on Sky Sports.

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Turner talks about the Daggers

Graham Turner, the Bulls manager, has been looking forward to Monday's game with Dagenham. Speaking on BBC Hereford and Worcester, he told Trevor Owens that he was fully aware of the threat posed by the Essex club.



"When you look through their side, they were a club that missed out (on promotion) very narrowly on two occasions and I felt they would not do it a third time. But what the manager did in the summer was made big chances to his playing staff. And he has added some decent Conference players to what he already had and the result is a squad that will be in contention at the end of the season." said Turner.



"They could do something similar to last year when they strung a run of eleven victories together to get into a play-off position and they have the personal in there to do just that.



" We have got to make sure on Monday that we still keep them in the bottom of the table and that is by taking the three points.

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Daggers game on the Web

BBC Hereford & Worcester have announced that they are to broadcast Hereford United's Monday evening's game against Dagenham & Redbridge on the Web.



After problems stopped last Tuesday's game with Northwich being heard, Trevor Owens, head of sport at the station, has decided to make amends to Bulls supporters by covering this game.



There will be extra checks made to ensure that the lines are working before the game starts.



The web site needed is www.bbc.co.uk/hereford

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Turner aims to strengthen ranks

With just seventeen players in the Hereford United first-team squad, Graham Turner is actively attempting to strengthen the roll-call, but this is not likely to occur before Monday's match with Dagenham & Redbridge.



The Bulls have seventeen players on a full-time basis, and also West Bromwich Albion defender Tamika Mkandawire on-loan to cover for the injured Andy Tretton.



Turner told the Shropshire Star: "We've been fairly fortunate with injuries so far but we are looking to add to the squad."



"Having let Rob Sawyers go we have a space to fill. However we will only fill that space when the right type player becomes available.



"You only recruit someone you really feel has something to offer and that has always been our aim."

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Ladbrokes make Bulls favourites

One leading bookmaker has today made Hereford United favourites to win the Conference this season, but all the others are still keeping Chester on top.



Ladbrokes now have the Bulls at 7-4, with Chester at 2-1, and Shrewsbury at 7-1.



In general, Chester are available at about 2-1, and the average price for Hereford is just over 3-1. Shrewsbury's price varies from 10-3 to 7-1 and averages 9-2.



It is probably the first time since Hereford dropped to the Conference that they have been so fancied for a return to higher level football.

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Sky at Edgar Street

Sky are to televise two games from Edgar Street in the next three months.



The first game is against Dagenham next Monday and the second against Exeter on Boxing Day evening.



In today's Hereford Times, United manager Graham Turner says of the Daggers game: "Dagenham have got some very good players and will finish in a much higher position than they are at present. The television coverage will give the game some added spice and, hopefully, we will have a high attendance and a good atmosphere on the terraces.



"Our Boxing Day match has a 7.45pm kick-off, which causes something of a headache for the clubs involved and the supporters. A mid-day or afternoon kick-off would have been warmly welcomed.



"But people don't realise the problems associated in putting on a game at that time, in terms of stewards and gatemen. I am not sure how many people will tune into a match on Boxing Day night at 7.45pm."



Meanwhile, the Hereford Times has announced that Ian Morgan, who has covered the Bulls for them for the last 27 months, is moving to news reporting. Ian was presented with a bottle of bubbly by Graham Turner before leaving Hereford to report on the Northwich match. He certainly chose a good game for his last report.



HU-FC.co.uk wish him well in his new position. Richard Prime will cover United from today.

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Burton help the Bulls

An injury time penalty from Burton Albion's Aaron Webster denied Chester City all three points at Eton Park this evening.



Hereford are now four points clear of Chester at the top of the table. Both teams have played thirteen games this season.



Chester face Woking next Saturday at the Deva Stadium in a vital game that could see Mark Wright's team move within one point of the Bulls.



Hereford face Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday night, before the top of the table clash between the two clubs at Chester on Saturday, 18th of October.

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Court case report

The following report is from tonight's Burton Mail:



Nine Herefordshire men have appeared before magistrates accused of violent disorder at a Burton Albion football match.



Wayne Milner, 35, of Cherrybrook Close, Leominster; David Ellis, 40, of Alexandra Avenue, Hereford; Stacey Jennings, 22, of Honeysuckle Close, Hereford; Robert Morris, 34, of Prior Street, Hereford; David Watkins, 41, of Millard Close, Hereford; Benjamin Lewis, 18, of Hinton Crescent, Hereford; Stephen West, 43, of Laburnum Grove, Hereford; Robert Scott, 39, of Gorsty Lane, Hereford; and Anthony Calandra, 26, of Ledbury Road, Hereford, appeared at Burton Magistrates Court yesterday charged with committing violent disorder during the Albion's game against Hereford United on Friday, September 19.



Eight were released on bail with the conditions they should not attend any fixture at Hereford United's Edgar Street stadium or any Hereford United away game. They must also not go within 10 miles of where Hereford United are playing for a period spanning four hours before and four hours after the designated kick-off time.



No pleas were entered and the cases were adjourned until Tuesday, November 11, to be heard at Burton Magistrates Court.



Presiding magistrate Pat Court told the defendants they would not have to attend the next court hearing due to the distance they would have to travel, unless video footage of their alleged crimes was supplied.



The ninth Hereford man, Anthony Vitto Calandra, was remanded in custody until Wednesday, October 29, when he will next appear by video link before Tamworth magistrates.

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Quinn predicts Hereford fall

The manager of one of Hereford United's Conference rivals has unleashed a scathing attack after last night's 5-1 win over Northwich Victoria.



Jimmy Quinn, who switched from the Vics to Shrewsbury Town in the summer, said of the Bulls in the Shropshire Star: "They are riding their luck and are due a fall."



Shrewsbury are currently ten points behind league leaders Hereford, described by Quinn as "nothing special", and he added: "They're just a workmanlike side who are full of confidence at the moment.



"The scoreline last night didn't reflect their play but they are just going through one of those stages where everything they touch turns to goals.



"They've got some good players but they're nothing special they're just on the crest of the wave, riding their luck and are due a fall.



"I'm sure at some stage Hereford with their very tight squad will pick up a few injuries because they haven't had any yet - they've been very lucky."



Andy Tretton and Rob Purdie both missed last night's match, but the loan signing of Tamika Mkandawire from West Bromwich Albion has bolstered the squad.

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The scoreline flattered the Bulls

Another victory for the Bulls was put into perspective after the game by Graham Turner, the Hereford United manager.



He told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "It was pleasing to come away with a result of that standard. I think it might just alert one or two other clubs that when you go away from home and win 5-1, it's a terrific scoreline although I think it flattered us a little bit because they really made a game of it.



"They made it hard work for us particually in the first half," added Turner.



Also interviewed, captain Tony James remarked: " I thought that with a change of manager, they upped their game and in the first half they played pretty well. We only had a couple of chances in the first half and they had a decent amount of possession.



"But eventually we broke then down. After we got one or two goals as they started to attack us we could counter-attack and scored more."



The Daily Telegraph's Nicholas Harding has a report in that paper this morning and in it commented: "Hereford United's speed-off the blocks caught Northwich napping at Wincham Park last night" and goes onto mention the "clinical finishing" of the Bulls.

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Five goals and five points clear

Hereford United beat Northwich Victoria to remain at the top of the table tonight.



Brian's report can be read here.

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McDonald could lift Northwich

The arrival of new manager Alvin McDonald from Vauxhall Motors will give Northwich a major lift says Graham Turner, the Hereford United manager.



"If you look at Vauxhall Motors last year, how they went in their league, their FA Cup exploits, they draw with QPR and then beat them in the replay.



"I can imagine him being the sort of scoucer who gets people wound up, sleeves rolled up, spitting and snawling and everything else, and that's probably what Northwich want at the moment."



As well as being broadcast on the web, fans living close to Hereford will be able to listen to the second half of tonights game on BBC Hereford & Worcester on 94.7 FM.



Turner has also revealed key defender Andy Tretton could be out for a lengthier spell than first anticipated.



"He's at Lilleshall but we've been told he could be out for six weeks which is why we've taken the precaution of bringing in Tamika Mkandawire," said the Edgar Street manager as reported in the Evening News.



Turner was pleased with the West Brom youngster's debut performance and he is line for another start tonight alongside captain Tony James.



"It's always difficult on your debut but he stood up to it well and did OK," said Turner.

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Bulls match on the web

The second live web broadcast of a Hereford United match will be on air tomorrow evening.



For those unable to get to the game, BBC Hereford & Worcester's sports editor Trevor Owens will commentate on the whole of Northwich Victoria v Hereford United match, from 7.45pm.



To listen to this commentary you need Real Player on your computer (it's free) and there is a link to download it on the BBC Hereford & Worcester website.



As always there will be a report on this site shortly after the game is over, with Brian providing the coverage once again.

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Whites face Purdie wait

There's another tricky trip for Hereford United tomorrow evening, as they travel north to play Northwich Victoria, kick off 7.45pm.



The Bulls face an anxious wait over the fitness of front-man Rob Purdie, who missed out on Saturday's 1-0 win at Woking with an ankle injury. Defender Andy Tretton's thigh injury keeps him out of the game, so Tamika Mkandawire is likely to continue at centre back alongside skipper Tony James.



Northwich, now under the management of Alvin McDonald after Steve Davis stepped down last month, will miss Chris Royle with a back injury and Mark Barnard, who has work commitments.



The Vics are one from bottom of the Conference and McDonald told BBC Sport: "Walking into the place there was a bit of gloom and doom because we are next to bottom.



"We won at Tranmere (in the Cheshire Senior Cup) and drew on Saturday against one of the form sides. We showed great character to come from behind twice so we are just starting to build a bit and it's a bit of a platform to go on from."

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So good so far

Comparisons are difficult to make between one season and another but Hoagy from Confguide.com have been looking at the top of the Conference over the past couple of years.



He concludes that at present Hereford have 29 pts after 12 games. By comparison, Yeovil were top at this stage last season with 27, and Dagenham the season before, also with 27.



In 2000/1 Rushden were top after 12 with 30 pts. They lost their 13th match, at which point Yeovil took over at the top of the table until February.



In theory the Bulls should win their next two games, Tuesday at Northwich, and the following Monday at Edgar Street against Dagenham. If they can get the six points, it would be one of the best starts for any team in the Conference for many years.



And on the clean play front Hereford are now second in that league with 17 yellow cards and no reds so far. Burton Albion lead with 13 yellows and one red. It proves that you can be top of the league and get there with out resorting to breaking the rules. In fact the Bulls have to date only made 125 fouls, the lowest in the Conference. Chester, who have made 200 fouls so far, have the worst record.

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Hereford are a yardstick

Hereford are a yardstick for us said the Woking manager, Glenn Cockerill, after the game this afternoon.



"I thought we matched them at times especially in the first half. I don't like getting beat but we got beat the right way," he said. "They have got a couple of quality players, particually Paul Parry down the left hand-side. A quality winger who provided a string of crosses all afternoon. But it's not a one man team. There's some good players in that side."



Ben Smith told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "We knew it would be a hard place to come to but we put in the sort of performance that we need to do if we want to win the league. We managed to grind them down and nick one with ten minutes to go.



Comparing the last couple of games when the Bulls have let in several goals, Smith said: "We tightened up a bit today, still attacked but did not go as gun-ho as we have been."



And Graham Turner told the NLP: "I thought we were worth the win having produced one or two more chances and having hit the bar twice as well.



"Woking may make it difficult for teams because of the way they put pressure on the back four but I thought we coped with that quite well. This was an important result for us. If we have asperations this season we have to win at clubs like Woking."



There was a sizeable contingent from Hereford, probably about 450 in the 2906 crowd. There was no trouble at the ground.

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Hereford Wins

Hereford won 1 - 0 against Woking this afternoon. Steve Guinan scored late in the game to secure a victory that keeps Hereford at the top of the league. New player Tamika Mkandawire played an excellent first game for the Bulls.



Brian's report is here.

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New boss worries Turner

Graham Turner has already spoken about Tuesday evening's game at Northwich. He is concerned that with a new manager they could bounce back into form and give the Bulls a hard game.



Northwich Victoria announced their appointment of new manager Alvin McDonald earlier this week and he takes charge of their game at home against Accrington Stanley this afternoon. The former Vauxhall Motors boss takes over at the Wincham Park strugglers following the resignation of Steve Davis and the Bulls will be his second opponents on Tuesday night.



Turner is wary of the pitfalls involved of playing a side under new management and is demanding his players match the Vics for effort and commitment.



"Alvin gets his sides working very hard and we will have to make sure we don't suffer a backlash which can often happen when a club gets a new manager," Turner told the Evening News.

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The lowdown on Tamika

In light of United's latest signing, HU-FC.co.uk asked Glynis Wright of Grorty Dick, the West Bromwich Albion fanzine, for the lowdown on Tamika Mkandiwire.



Here's what she had to say:



"His full name is Tamika Mkandwire (everyone here calls him 'Tam' for obvious reasons!) and he's a rather classy defender, who is strong both in the air and on the ground. He's not afraid of tackling as necessary, either, so he should suit the Conference, and with a name like that, I bet referees will be rather reluctant to stick his name in their book!



"He's the son of a Nigerian missionary (his mum) and spent a good deal of his early years in London, and Albion are his only club. It'll come as no surprise whatsoever to learn he's one of the excellent crop of Albion youngsters brought through by both John Trewick, and your present coach, Richard O'Kelly, before they left. Around three years ago, he was part of the side that won a youth trophy (not the FA Youth Cup) at Wembley. I'm not sure of his current status right now, but he either has to be a third year YT, or a junior professional; he seems to have been part and parcel of the set-up for an awfully-long time.



"Last season, he played around 40 competitive games in our back three, both at reserve and youth team level. As our second-string play in the northern section of the Premier Reserve League at the moment, that meant he was pitched in against the likes of Man United, Liverpool, Newcastle and (spit!) Villa. The last one excepted, no mugs, as you'll readily agree. We really punched above our weight as well last season, finishing just below halfway in that league, with only one away defeat after November. When you consider the calibre of the opposition at that level, effectively, you're getting a Second or Third Division player.



"The probable reason we're letting him go out on loan is the current lack of opportunities for youngsters at our club. This is partly due to our manager's seeming indifference to the encouragement of young talent, plus the fact we have many players before him in the pecking-order. Concerning the former, our kids train separately from the seniors, manager Gary Megson rarely watches the second-team in action (only spotted three times last term, which is direct contrast to other Premiership managers, who regularly watch their kids), and to get a chance in the first team, half the regular first-string would have to drop dead from bubonic plague, or something, before The Dear Leader would feel obliged to give any of our kids a go! The last home-grown player to make it at Albion was Adam Chambers, who made his League debut around three seasons ago. As far as the latter goes, I believe there are about eight imports before him in the queue.



"He does have an unusual line in hairstyles - those dreadlocks have to be seen to be believed - but I'm convinced he'll do a bloody good job for you. And, of course, both he and Danny Carey-Bartram were second-string muckers together. Richard O'Kelly was at The Hawthorns the other week, when we played Man Urinal reserves. We guessed he was in shopping-mode; now we know why!"

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Arrests rise to nine

Nine men have now been arrested by police as a result of their investigations into trouble at Burton two weeks ago.



One of the men, a 26 year-old from Hereford, is being held in custody and has been charged with violent disorder. His hearing is due at Burton Magistrates Court tomorrow. Eight other men, all from Hereford, will appear before magistrates in Burton to face similar charges on Tuesday.



Graham Turner, the Hereford United manager, is pleased with the arrests. Speaking to Trevor Owens on BBC Hereford & Worcester, Turner said: "I think there are nine arrests and the first thing is that those nine can't attend matches now.



"We are delighted that the co-operation between ourselves and in particular the Hereford and Staffordshire Police in gathering evidence has been sufficient for them to make arrests. And that sends a message out to potential troublemakers that they won't get away with it. It's as simple as that.



"I understand that the people arrested at Doncaster nearly two and a half years ago are due in court early next week. So there could be some custodial sentances which again sends the message around that the police and the club won't tolerate the behaviour we saw at Burton.



"I think there is still one lad that the police are keen to get. There was a young Burton lad who had a big kick at his head. If it had made contact with him, it could have been a far more serious offence. The lad has curly ginger hair very short, six foot one or two. If anybody knows him I'm sure the police would be delighted to hear. He's the one that they are very keen to arrest. Everyone will be delighted if they can get him.



"Some have been bailed but one is banged up inside already and I'm sure all the genuine supporters that be delighted to see the back of them."

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Mkandawire could feature at Woking

New loan-signing Tamika Mkandawire could feature in the Hereford line-up on Saturday. Graham Turner has said that he has no problems bringing a new face into the squad.



"I've got to decide what the line-up will be against Woking. It's a concern that we have conceeded the number of goals we have in the last three matches and we have also failed to take a lot of our chances. So we have got to adjust that a little bit in terms of the format of the team," Turner told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

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Defensive options for Kingfield trip

Hereford United will aim to cement their position at the top of the Nationwide Conference on Saturday when they make the trip to Woking, kick off 3pm.



The Bulls hold first place on goal difference, but with Chester City facing a tricky trip to Dagenham & Redbridge, Graham Turner's men could push further ahead at the summit.



However, United have a defensive dilemma, with Andy Tretton still missing and Tony James a slight doubt after he had four stitches removed from a head wound picked up last Saturday, as Hereford drew 3-3 with Gravesend & Northfleet. Tamika Mkandawire, who confirmed his move to Edgar Street on a month loan today, is also in contention.



United boss Turner told the Hereford Times: "Woking have made a reasonable start to the season, while Northwich (who Hereford play on Tuesday) have struggled and are one from bottom. But, from our point of view, these are two games that we must try to take six points from.



"As a team we will need to defend much better than we did against Gravesend and we need to start taking a higher ratio of chances. Burton and Gravesend both showed us the benefits of taking chances.



"There's no hiding when you are top of the table because Burton gave their best performance of the season against us and Gravesend kept going until the end. At this level, it's important to score the opening goal."



Woking, who drew 3-3 at Accrington Stanley on Saturday, are eager to attack Hereford and not sit back an defend. Manager Glenn Cockerill told the Woking News & Mail: “When I was at Southampton we used to win games 3-2 and 4-3 and my philosophy is to try and score more than the opposition.”



The Kingfield-based side will play a 4-3-3 formation against Hereford, but they will miss Jamie Campbell, who is away after the death of his father.

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Seven arrests so far

It has been reported by BBC Hereford & Worcester that seven men have been arrested in connection with violence at the recent Burton game.



Following raids early this morning arrests have been made in Hereford and Ross. Members of Burton CID are currently in Hereford and are understood to be helping with interviews of the suspects.



According to the Burton Mail a team of seven officers from Burton Police Station had travelled to Hereford yesterday to work alongside West Mercia Police Force in a joint operation to round-up the trouble makers.



At 6.30am today they raided eight addresses in Hereford, with some of the suspects also arrested at their places of work.



Burton Police have told the media: "We have identified ten individuals, and there is another youth which we have footage of but is yet to be identified. Of those people seven have been arrested. More arrests may follow.



"At the end of today or early tomorrow when we look at what we have got, if we have not identified anyone we shall ask for media help.



"Those arrested are being kept at Hereford or Ross Police Stations."



It is believed that they will be charged and possibly some will be taken to Burton to make a court appearance tomorrow.

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Turner explains squad budgets

Graham Turner has used his column in today's Hereford Times to explain his thinking about the new squad budgeting rules. As this is a complicated subject we print his views in full.



I HAVE had a number of supporters recently ask about strengthening the squad, particularly in view of the size of our recent attendances.



While we obviously need strengthening, it is not as straightforward as in previous seasons due to squad budgeting.



The budget for each club is calculated on a baseline figure plus 25% of actual turnover. Our average turnover for the last two audits has been £588,678 and, in the category of £500,000 to £750,000, we are allowed a baseline figure of £250,000. We then add 25% of £588,678 to arrive at our squad budget of £397,144, for 12 months to the end of July, plus a one-off £60,000 because it is being operated for the first time.



At the start of the season we had to inform the Conference of each player's estimated earnings for the year and now we have to forward to them the full players' pay roll for each and every week. This has to include the club's NI contribution, plus every penny that is paid to players.



Without any bonuses and with all but one contract finishing at the end of April, we calculate that figure to be paid out is in excess of £350,000. Players receive a win and draw bonus when the club is in the top three. This has not been accounted for and those players whom we wish to offer new contracts will put a hefty amount for wages in May, June and July.



Complicated? Of course it is - I'm trying to explain it and I don't know how it will all work out. I certainly do not know how some Conference clubs are complying with their budget, given the size of the squads and the reported wage levels.



Stevenage, who have a big squad, have a turnover of £1.3million which gives them a budget almost double ours, while Woking, who have lost £750,000 in the past two years, have very similar turnover figures to ourselves. I can only conclude that other clubs who do not have the sort of `gates' we get must produce a great deal of off-field activities.



Current income does not come into the equation, neither would money from a benefactor. Someone could put £1million into a club but it would not make any difference for this season.



We are aware of the reasons for squad budgeting - to force clubs to live within their means. We hope that, given our circumstances, we may have an increase on our allowance for this season.

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Sawyers leaves Edgar Street

Rob Sawyers has left Edgar Street. The ex-Barnet player has had his contract terminated by the Bulls for undisclosed reasons according to the Hereford Times.



Sawyers has only made 11 appearances for United and it had been thought that he was suffering from back problems. However the rumours that have been circulating for some weeks suggesting he was likely to leave now seem correct.



This departure may have spured Graham Turner to obtain the services of Tamika Mkandawire from the Baggies, as reported yesterday, but as he is only on loan for a month, United still look short of a strong defender.

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United poised to strengthen backline

Hereford United are set to bolster their defence with a loan signing thought to be orchestrated by coach Richard O'Kelly.



O'Kelly, who also works at West Bromwich Albion, has recommended defender Tamika Mkandawire to Graham Turner, and he is expected to sign for the Edgar Street club tomorrow.



Mkandawire, a centre back born in Malawi, is twenty years old and is a second-year professional at West Brom. He has yet to make a first-team appearance, but could make his debut in Saturday's trip to Woking.



Mkandawire will return to the Hawthorns after the game on Saturday 1st November against Leigh RMI at Edgar Street.



He was seen earlier this season by United supporters when the Baggies brought a youth team to Hereford for a friendly. Unfortunately, he was subbed after he handballed in the area following a Danny Williams shot at goal.

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Reserves in action

Hereford striker Danny Carey-Bertram scored one goal and created two others as Hereford United Reserves defeated Stafford Rangers Reserves 4-2 last night.



Rob Purdie, Dean Craven, Danny Carey-Bertram, Ben Scott, Jordan King, Danny Moon and trialist Rob Laurie all featured for The Bulls.



Stafford's Mark Lowry opened the scoring on 15 minutes with a well taken goal set up by James Dunn. ’Keeper Dean Cumberledge made a series of saves to maintain the lead until Hereford levelled in injury time through Anthony Tansley.

Two goals in four minutes at the start of the second half from Carey-Bertram and Nick Harry turned the game in favour of the Bulls who added a fourth on 70 minutes through Harry. Stafford pulled a goal back in the closing stages through substitute Emmanuel Ibadoun.

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