United claim first home victory
Hereford United kept yet another clean sheet as they defeated a strong West Brom team at Edgar Street this evening. The Baggies had numerous well known players in their starting line up including internationals Bernt Haas, Jason Koumas and Artim Sakiri but United were able to match and for most parts outplay WBA.
Hereford were without David Brown, Ryan Green and Tony James but Jamie Pitman made his first start since having a operation for a hernia. Jamie Smith, a trialist (probably Jamie Gosling), was named as substitute. There was also a new goalkeeper training with the team, but he wasn't named on the team sheet.
Hereford, who were looking very sharp, passing the ball very well and playing some brilliant attacking football, almost took the lead in the fourth minute. Rob Purdie split the defence and found Andy Tretton who smashed a low cross along the six yard box but Adam Stansfield somehow failed to connect.
United had several first half chances before they took the lead, Craig Stanley played a one-two with Stansfield, but hit the shot straight at the 'keeper. Danny Williams had three efforts, a thirty-five yard free kick was just over, then a tame twenty-five yard shot was collected easily by Tomasz Kuszczak. Purdie then crossed for Williams to smash on the volley but it sailed just over the bar. West Brom only really threatend from corners where Darren Moore looked dangerous, however he headed his first chance wide.
Stansfield handed United the lead following a flick on by Tom Smith after a Williams corner. The ball hit Stansfield who volleyed it hard into the net for 1-0. Williams delivered another good cross from a free kick, the clearence fell to Stanley who volleyed wide. Moore then almost equalised for the Baggies but a smart catch from Scott prevented the goal. A fantastic move by Hereford should have led to another goal, but Kuszczak made a good save from Simon Travis when one on one after Williams had played him through. The rebound fell to Stansfield who could only shoot wide.
At half time the Baggies subbed on Joe Murphy in goal and Stuart Midworth. Moore had the first chance of the second half from a corner he headed down well, but Scott was equal to it. Before the Bulls doubled their advantage Stansfield, Purdie and Stanley had shots blocked and Mark Robinson volleyed over. Captain Tretton knocked a ball over the top for Purdie and Stansfield to chase. Kuszczak rushed out but was beaten to it by Purdie who squared the ball to Stansfield. He hammered a shot into the roof of the net avoiding two defenders on the line. After, the lively Pitman was replaced by Graham Hyde after the second goal.
Tamika Mkandawire, playing against his old club, had a good chance but his header from Robinson's cross was well saved by Murphy. Williams and Purdie both went close again but their shots were wide. Purdie was replaced by Andrew Williams as the attacker was suffering from cramp. Danny Williams was replaced by Jamie Smith(Gosling). Neil Clement was unlucky not to get the Baggies back in the game when his thunderbolt of a free kick was palmed away by Scott. Daniel March and Sam Gwynne replaced Travis and Robinson. United's final chance fell to sixteen year old Gwynne. Hyde swung a corner to the far side of the penalty area for the youngster to volley but it went just wide.
The 1,297 including 34 away fans, that turned out for the friendly game were entertained by some brilliant football from Hereford who were more than a match for their superior opposition. It was by far the best performance by United this pre-season, they were looking more like the side that performed so well in the last campaign.
HUFC Team: Ben Scott, Tamika Mkandawire, Andy Tretton, Tom Smith, Marc Ronbinson, Simon Travis, Craig Stanley, Danny Williams, Jamie Pitman, Adam Stansfield, Rob Purdie. Subs: Graham Hyde, Adam Ding, Andrew Williams, Daniel March, Jamie Smith, Daniel Carey-Bertram, Sam Gwynne.
WBA Team: Kuszczak, Bernt Haasm Neil Clement, Jason Koumas, Darren Moore, Martin Albrechtsen, Adam Chambers, Ronnie Wallwork, Kyle Patterson, Artim Sakiri, Rob Elvins. Subs: James Chambers, Joe Murphy, Philip Midworth, Stuart Nicholson, James Holmes.
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