Bulls set for same starting eleven

Hereford United are likely to be unchanged for tomorrow's match at Cherrywood Road against Farnborough Town, kick off 3pm.



Boro' are languishing in the lower reaches of the table having collected just three points and yet to register a win, while Hereford haven't lost and are top of the Conference.



Speaking of the match, Bulls' boss Graham Turner told the Evening News: "You've always got to make sure that complacency doesn't creep in. We are top of the league based on the hard work and application that we have put in recently and that will be the message loud and clear.



"We are going to have to work really hard and anybody who thinks we are going to Farnborough for an easy game can forget it. They've not had the best of starts and have struggled at home but if people think Stevenage was going to be the hard game and Farnborough a pushover they can think again."



The Bulls are likely to be unchanged for the seventh game running after midfielders Jamie Pitman and Paul Parry recovered from minor injuries earlier in the week.



Farnborough have signed attacker Andre Fashanu, nephew of John, from Reading to boost their front-line ahead of the match.



Meanwhile, Exeter City's supporters trust have secured control of their club, who have reported debts of £3 million.



However, they still need to organise a CVA, which will include staving off a winding-up order in Leeds next Friday. A twelve point deduction by the Conference is also a possibility.

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Hard graft the key to success

Graham Turner reckons Hereford United's superb start to the season is down to hard work.



The United boss said: "We've had a great start with five wins and a draw and we've exceeded our expectations for the opening matches.



"The key is just pure hard work. The players worked very hard on their fitness through pre-season and they've been working hard in games.



"What we have is a very young squad of players and they still have that natural enthusiasm and ambition and you can see the enjoyment when they're playing.



"I'm pleased with how well we've passed the ball both home and away. We've had some difficult games and we've played with so much confidence.



"But of course we've only played six games at this stage and the Conference is strong, with teams like Chester and Shrewsbury gathering below us.



If the Bulls are to maintain their form, Turner is adamant that extra players will be required.



He added: "The squad's not strong enough. We've got seventeen pros at the moment. Sooner of later we will need to strengthen, even if it's just in terms of numbers."



He is certainly not expecting any favours from the opposition in the coming weeks and added: "When you're at the top of the league you're there to be shot down and everyone wants to beat you."



Saturday sees the Bulls at Farnborough, and home manager Tommy Taylor will leave his team selection until as late as possible before naming his side. Taylor admits he has "a few worries" on the fitness front, including Ken Charlery as Town look to build on last week's draw at Exeter.



He said: "We did all right last week. We deserved out point."



Hereford should be unchanged for the trip, although striker Daniel Carey-Bertram will return to the squad after he missed the wins over Aldershot and Stevenage with a hamstring injury.

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"We have to be ready," vows Turner

A warning not to lower their work-rate has been issued by Hereford United manager Graham Turner to his squad ahead of Saturday's fixture at Farnborough Town, kick off 3pm.



Looking ahead to the trip to Cherrywood Road, United boss Graham Turner told the Hereford Times: "Farnborough are one of the less fancied sides in the Conference. It would be disappointing now that if having gone unbeaten against some of the better sides in the Conference, we do not pick up at least a point at Farnborough."



"I am not being disrespectful to Farnborough as Tommy Taylor is an experienced manager and an experienced player from his West Ham days. They will be well organised and battling and we have to be ready for them."



Currently Farnborough are joint bottom of the Conference with Gravesend but have drawn two of their three home games. Some of their problems stem from last season when former manager Graham Westley suddenly moved to Stevenage and took several Farnborough players with him.



The Bulls hope to have Daniel Carey-Bertram fit to take a place on the bench, and Farnborough are expected to field defender Jay Lovett, who played on-loan at Hereford from Brentford last season. Tommy Taylor could also start attacker Barrington Belgrave, who was a transfer target for Graham Turner in the latter half of last season,



> Hereford United club officials have paid tribute to club doctor Declan O'Brien after his recent passing.



Chairman Graham Turner told the Hereford Times: "He was a very good friend of the club and was the club's medical officer for some time. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this sad time."



Dr. O'Brien was a keen United follower, often watching matches from the main stand, and he was told that United were top of the table just before he passed away.



Of his service to the club, company secretary Joan Fennessy added: "If he said he was on the way you knew he would be there."



A minute's silence will be held in his memory before the Scarborough match a week on Saturday.

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Turner reflects on monthly award

Graham Turner has shared the praise gained from his manager-of-the-month award with the rest of the team at Hereford United.



He told the Hereford Journal: "It is a reflection on everybody at the club. That's the players, coach Richard O'Kelly, and you've also got the administrative staff at the club as well."



The Bulls go to Chester City on October 18th in what is an all-ticket match, reported today by the Evening Leader. However, Hereford United have yet to confirm of the move, made on police advice.



Meanwhile, a sad news story from Edgar Street is told by Matt Baker in today's Journal. Doctor O'Brien, an integral part of the club, has passed away, and Baker added: "The man was an essential member of our medical team and his sterling work behind the scenes never went unnoticed."



"Our thought are with his family at this time."

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Chester match made all-ticket

In light of problems with a recent match at the Deva Stadium, Chester City have made their home match against Hereford United an all-ticket affair.



Further details on the allocation of tickets will be made soon, but the game, to be held on Saturday, 18th October, has been made ticket-only on police advice.



The Chester vs Shrewsbury match on August 26th caused some problems as some away fans were reportedly locked out for some of the match, and the kick-off was delayed. The official attendance for the match was 4,665.



The Deva Stadium can hold 6,012, with away fans situated in the South Stand.

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Crisis talks to save Conference new-boys

Exeter City could go out of existence a week on Friday unless crisis talks can save the debt-ridden club.



The Grecians are reported to have debts of £3 million and aim to enter into a CVA agreement, similar to that currently in place at Edgar Street, report the Exeter Express & Echo.



A supporters trust has been set up and they are to talk to ex-Chairman and top creditor Ivor Doble at a meeting tomorrow. The trust hope to secure control of the club from Doble, who is owed around £700,000.



Trust member and club director Ian Huxham said: "We will have a much clearer picture following the meeting as to whether or not the future involves Exeter City Supporters' Trust."



If the two parties fail to agree to a deal, City could be plunged into administration - and probable liquidation - at a high court hearing next Friday, September 12th.



Successful negotiations would allow the management to devise a strategy to start digging the club out of its financial hole, which includes debts to construction company Mowlem, who are owed £600,000, and the Football Foundation, who are owed another £500,000 and approximately £200,000 to the Inland Revenue.



Should Exeter survive, they could face a maximum penalty of a twelve point deduction if they spend time in administration or enter into a CVA situation.



If City do go out of business, Hereford will lose their New Year's Day trip to Devon, and also a potentially lucrative Boxing Day match at Edgar Street.

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Praise for Turner from former club's fans

The news that Graham Turner is Nationwide Conference manager-of-the-month for August has brought praise from one of his former clubs.



James Bateman, who runs the independent wolvescentral.com website, wrote: "I know this is off topic for a Wolves board but Graham will never be forgotten for his efforts in getting Wolves away from the depths of despair, he also was a hero in Wolverhampton for signing Steve Bull from WBA.



"He helped Wolves from the 4th to the 2nd Division and nearly got us into the Premiership in his first season way back in 1989 , he helped Wolves win back to back championships and a Sherpa Van Trophy title with a win against Burnley.



"Turner's Hereford side have won 5 out of 6 games so far this season and it would be as much as an achievement getting Hereford where they belong again in the Football League as it was getting Wolves to Division Two."



Turner was manager of Wolves from 1986 to 1994, and they were promoted to the Premiership last May as beating Sheffield United 3-0 in the play-off final. However, Dave Jones' men but are currently bottom of the league after three games with just one point.



Meanwhile, Hereford United's youth team progressed to the second qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup with an 8-1 win over Cinderford Town at Edgar Street last night.

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Bulls boss is top dog

Graham Turner has won the Nationwide Conference manager of the month award for August, report BBC Radio 5 Live.



The Hereford United manager has led his side to five wins and a draw in the opening six Conference matches, and this leaves the Bulls top of the league with sixteen points.



Nearest challengers Aldershot lost 4-3 at Edgar Street last Monday, while Chester City and Shrewsbury Town have both lost one and drawn one of their opening six matches.

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Odds drop again

The odds available on Hereford United winning the Conference have dropped at several bookmakers after yesterday's win at Stevenage.



The lowest price quoted is now 5-1 at Victor Chandler. SkyBet are offering 11-2 this morning, and not 6-1 as reported in the Non-League Paper.



Chester remain favourites at 3-1 with Shrewsbury at 4-1. Stevenage are, like Hereford, at 11-2 with SkyBet.

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NLP reports on mooning row

The Non-League Paper has confirmed that Aldershot manager, Terry Brown, has received a number of letters from Hereford fans complaining about the actions of Shots midfielder Fiston Manuella at Edgar Street last Monday.



It says that the player could face disciplinary action by his club after making obscene gestures towards the crowd. It is believed that he gave a two-fingered salute and dropped his shorts twice.



NLP photographer James Maggs was directly in front of the fans. "Manuella twice dropped his shorts," he said. "His shirt was outside his shorts. He took them down, then lifted up his shirt. I didn't hear any racial abuse from the crowd then.



Both Terry Brown and Hereford manager Graham Turner are thought to be in with a good chance of receiving the Conference Manager of the Month award for August. Hereford United are unbeaten but some consideration will be given to Brown for steering Aldershot to second place in the league after only gaining promotion to the Conference at the end of last season.

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Guinan happy with goal tally

The scorer of the second goal in today's 2-0 win over Stevenage Borough, Hereford United attacker Steve Guinan told of his delight with the start of the campaign.



The Bulls are top of the league and Guinan told BBC Hereford & Worcester: "We've started really well and picked up a lot of points. Hopefully, we'll just keep the ball rolling; everyone is enjoying it and it's a great club to be with at the moment, because we're top of the league."



Today's opponents, Stevenage, were always likely to be a tough nut to crack because of the financial investment. "They've spent a lot of money here on players, and that's a huge difference between us," added the former Nottingham Forest attacker.



Attacking play as been the name of the game for United, and Guinan is delighted with his current haul of five goals. "It took me six games to get a goal last year," he said. "Hopefully, this time, I won't have a patch where I don't score but we're creating chances and as a team, we've scored the most goals at the moment."



"Hopefully, we've surprised a few teams and they will sit up and notice us."



Stevenage manager Graham Westley was downbeat about his own side's performance, and praised the Hereford team. "It was a very disappointing day," he told BBC Three Counties Radio. "We were well beaten by the better side."



When asked whether United were the best side in the league, he added: "We don't know because we've only played six sides, but they're the best we've so far. They were bright and quick and sharp. They are a good benchmark; if we can go beyond them we won't be far away."



Of the penalty decision, Westley proclaimed: "It shouldn't have been a penalty."

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Stevenage penalty miss costly

A penalty save by Matt Baker from Anthony Elding proved costly for the home side as Ben Smith and Steve Guinan secured a 2-0 victory for Hereford at Stevenage.



The report is here.

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Yellow cards cause concern for Turner

Hereford United boss Graham Turner has warned his players about the number of bookings that they are receiving ahead of tomorrow's match against Stevenage Borough.



Michael Rose picked up his third yellow card of the season against Aldershot Town on Monday, and Turner said: "With a small squad of players, we can't afford too many injuries and the one concern for me at the moment is the prospect of suspensions. We have had too many bookings for my liking. After five bookings they get automatically suspended so we are hoping that it won't happen that by the middle of September we start to get players suspended.



"We know from experience that referees do tend to be a lot stricter early in the season after directives from the FA. They punish almost every foul even with a yellow card, we realise that, but there is still far too many cards issued to our players than I would have liked."



Looking ahead to tomorrow's battle at Broadhall Way, Turner is quietly upbeat about his side's chances.



"Stevenage are a well fancied side," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "They are amongst the favourites to win the Conference this season simply because of the amount of money they have invested. They have got a big strong squad of players but we can look forward to the game with a lot of confidence and I think we will be really ready for it. We are quite capable of going to Stevenage and getting another three points."



"I don't think there is any real reason to change a winning side. I think we have started the season well. I think some of the performances have been excellent and there is no reason to chop and change the side. David Brown was unfortunate not to start the season off because of injury. He has proved to be on several occasions a good substitute. He will be wanting to start as soon as possible but Steve Guinan and Rob Purdie have played exceptionally well together and I don't think at this stage there is any need to change that partnership."



The time lapse before the next home fixture has annoyed Turner, although recent gates have been very impressive. "The level of attendance has been very encouraging. To get two games around the three thousand mark and then one nearly five thousand that's an incredible turnout and it just shows that there is floating support there that will come along if the team are doing well enough. However the most important thing is the spirit within the team. When you get a few results go right for you, that spirit is lifted and that is what we are experiencing at the moment.



After the biggest ever Conference gate at Edgar Street, TUrner added that nearly three weeks is too long to wait for the next home game.



"I think the fixtures has panned out diabolically really. When you look at the first five Saturdays of the season, we have had one at home. I can't figure out how the Conference can come up with that fixture list.



"We will now have almost three weeks without a home fixture just when you want one. The spectical of Monday's game with the big attendance means we want to be at home again.



"Nearly three weeks without a home game is ludicrous."

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Turner looking for win

Hereford United manager Graham Turner is confident of collecting all three points from Stevenage Borough tomorrow, kick off 3pm.



"We have to go there looking for a win. It is not beyond us," said Turner in tonight's Evening News "Stevenage caused a stir last year in terms of their trading of managers and players from Farnborough but they are a big, strong squad who are going well but equally we're going there in good heart."



United will aim to continue with their confident run which saw them beat Aldershot 4-3 on Monday and remain at the top of the Conference. David Brown's injury-time winner handed United the points, and Turner added: "It was a confidence booster for Brown who has had limited involvement so far and is just what he needed."



The only player missing for United is midfielder Rob Sawyers, while Daniel Carey-Bertram is fit again after a hamstring injury.



Stevenage have a host of players sidelined but their sizeable match squad has been boosted by the return of attacker Justin Richards from injury, while midfield duo Steve Watson and Danny Carroll are also back in contention.

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Another major test for Bulls

After last week's win over Aldershot Town, Hereford United face another top-of-the-table against Stevenage Borough at Broadhall Way on Saturday, kick off 3pm.



The Bulls hope to have Daniel Carey-Bertram back for the game after he missed the Aldershot with a hamstring injury, but an unchanged line-up is probable.



Speaking to the Hereford Times, United director of football Graham Turner said: "There are no easy matches in the Conference and we are expecting another tough game at Stevenage. They have got a very large squad, some very experienced players, and are coming off the back of a 4-1 win at Margate."



Boro' have seven players missing for the game, but given the size of their squad, they can more than cover for the absences. Goalkeeper Mark Westhead has a knee injury, and defender Jason Goodliffe is missing with a bruised shin. Graham Westley must also do without midfielders James Gould, Simon Wormull and Sam McMahon, while strikers Howard Forinton and Peter Costello also miss out.



A big crowd is expected for the game at Broadhall Way, and Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace told

'Webnews': "We expect a big crowd so I'd recommend supporters get here earlier than usual but I suspect we'll have to get used to this. Graham Westley is working non stop and will not stop until we're the best so I expect this to be the norm for the rest of the season"



After Boro's win over Margate, boss Westley said on BBC Three Counties Radio: "I expect us to get stronger throughout the week and we have a cracking game next weekend when Hereford visit us."

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Twelve Conference sides in LDV action

Hereford United's entry to the LDV Vans Trophy for this season has been confirmed, report confguide.com.



Hereford are likely to be in the southern area of the competition, alongside sides from Divisions Two and Three and fellow Conference sides Barnet, Dagenham & Redbridge, Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers and Stevenage Borough. Chester City, Halifax Town, Morecambe, Scarborough, Shrewsbury Town and Telford United will play in the northern section. Kidderminster Harriers are likely to be in the northern section, but Cheltenham Town, Swansea City and Yeovil Town will be south of the divide.



The draw will take place on Saturday 13th September on Sky Sports' Soccer AM, and the prize fund for the competition remains unchanged from last season, and payments will be made to clubs at the conclusion of the tournament. The competition winners will receive £50,000, the runners-up £25,000, and the area final losers £20,000 each. The area semi-final losers will pocket £15,000 each, the area quarter-final losers £8,000 each while round two and round one losers will net £4,000 and £2,000 respectively each.



The competition final will be held at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, 28th March 2004.

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Bulls stay top

Tonight's only Conference game between the bookies current title favourites Chester City and Shrewsbury Town ended in a 2-1 win for Chester with an attendance of 4665.



This result means Hereford United stay top of the league with thirteen points from five games and Aldershot in second place with twelve points. Stevenage stay third but Chester are now joint fourth with Shrewsbury.



Meanwhile, the average attendance at Edgar Street for the first three home games this season is showing a 76% increase on last year.

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Last chance to score

After yesterday's game David Brown, who came on as a sub, told the Western Daily Press how he produced the superb overhead kick that won the match for the Bulls.



"It was an instinctive thing to do," said Brown."I knew it was the last chance to score in a fantastic game."



Reflecting on the game Brown pointed out Hereford produced a great fightback after going two down in the first nine minutes and deserved victory. "At two down many other teams would have crumbled, but we have a good team spirit and that carried us through," said Brown.



Hereford director of football Graham Turner was up-beat about the fightback by his young players. "The game had everything and I am delighted. Tony James kept his nerve when he took the penalty for the second time.



"Aldershot are no mugs and have some useful players but the manner in which we won was excellent."

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Where were you?

Fifteen more supporters through the gate would have given a 5,000 attendance figure yesterday at Edgar Street, which was double the next highest crowd of the day, that at Woking. It was also the highest in the Conference so far this season.



It was also United's highest crowd for a league match since 1997, and any match since 1999, when Leicester City were the opponents in the FA Cup.



And there can't have been a supporter for either team that could have complained at the excitement of the game, which was surely one of the best, if not the best, at the ground since Hereford joined the Conference.



The match had everything, goals, a re-taken penalty, a bust up in the Shots dressing room at half-time, yellow cards galore, and a red one near the end. Yet it wasn't a dirty match and a number of cards given were for enthusiatic challenges more than real fouls.



Those fans who set off for the ground at their normal time were faced with queue of ten to fifteen minutes to gain entrance!



The game attracted a few extra reporters and so there should be articles in both the Telegraph and the Times this morning.



As a result of the win, Hereford odds to top the Conference this season have been reduced again to 6-1 by Skybet.



Hereford United will remain top of the Conference even if Shrewsbury Town, currently three points behind the Bulls, beat Chester City this evening unless the margin is by at least six goals. A draw might suit the Bulls.

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Late goal in the name of entertainment!

Scorer of Hereford United's second goal, Michael Rose, was exhilerated after beating Aldershot Town 4-3.



"We've got to keep everyone entertained," he joked of the injury-time goal. "We've done really well and it was disappointing to concede three goals but we battled really well to come out on top.



"They caused us a few problems but it's nothing we haven't dealt with before. They looked a decent side but we were the better team on the day."



Talking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, he said of his own goal: "I got the ball and just hit it. I didn't think it was going in but as I looked up, it was!



"We put a lot of pressure on them in the second half. They had one chance and they scored from it, but we kept going."



Aldershot boss Terry Brown was annoyed to have lost the match in injury time and in the process surrender top-spot in the league. "We're just disappointed to have lost a very close encounter," he said. "I thought they were brilliant at times and played good football."



"This game sums up just why we're delighted to be in the Conference," he said. "It was a fantastic football match and I thought it had everything.



However, the switching of goalkeepers at half-time came after a bust-up with Nikki Bull. "There's only room for one gaffer in the dressing room - and that's me," proclaimed Brown, who was also angry at his side's red card. "I thought the Roscoe D'Sane sending-off was diabolical. He didn't make contact with the man or the ball."



United manager Graham Turner was delighted with the outcome. "That was one of the most exciting matches in the eight years I've been at Edgar Street," he said. "Everything we did wrong was exposed in the first ten minutes, but we stuck at it."

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Seven goal thriller

Hereford United came off the field with a four-three win over Aldershot this afternoon, in one of the most exciting game at Edgar Street for some years. The Shots went 2-0 up but Hereford improved their game with goals from James, Williams , Rose and the winner from sub David Brown. The attendance was 4985.



Terry's report is here.

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First meeting for twelve years

Tomorrow sees a top of the table clash with the leaders travelling to the 2nd placed club in the Conference, kick off 3pm.



Hereford United host Aldershot at Edgar Street in the first game between the two clubs since October 1991, when a single goal at Edgar Street handed the Bulls the Fourth Division points.



This result, though, was expunged from the records when the old Aldershot club went bust in March 1992, resigning from the Football League. Tomorrow's opponents are the reformed club, and it is the first time the two have met.



In the eleven years since reformation, Aldershot have risen from the Isthmian Division Three to the Conference, where they lie today after last season's Ryman League Premier Division win.



Terry Brown, now manager at the Recreation Ground, has something of an injury problem at the back with Jim Rodwell, Ray Warburton and Dean Hooper all likely to miss out on the game, although Dean Sterling is likely to feature again. Anthony Charles is a long-term injury victim after undergoing a hernia operation.



Hereford United have a doubt over the fitness of striker Daniel Carey-Bertram, who came off with a hamstring strain in yesterday's 1-1 draw at Barnet.

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Disappointment over dropped points

Hereford United midfielder Danny Williams was slightly disappointed with the outcome of yesterday's 1-1 draw at Barnet.



Talking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, the ex-Chesterfield man said: "It was a decent point and a decent game. At the moment the lads are a bit disappointed after going one-up and then missing out.



"We came here and lost last season, but this season after they scored we stayed strong."



The Bulls' goal came on seventy-six minutes as Tony James tucked away a penalty awarded for a foul on Ben Smith. "It was a definite penalty, Although a few of their players didn't seem to think so." proclaimed Williams. "Tony James stuck it away well."



Barnet boss Martin Allen wasn't so sure about the decision. "I am not sure it was a penalty, but the referee gave it and we have to respect his decision," he said.



Barnet equalised eight minutes later after a free-kick was laid-off to Barnet's Ian Hendon to storm home from thirty yards. "The free-kick took a bit of a deflection and we all thought it was going wide but it got them back into the game," continued Williams.



Despite dropping two points, Martin Allen was pleased with the outcome. "Hereford are the best team at the moment so it was good to get a point," he added. "If we had played like that last year, we might have ended up being beaten."



"We did not play well, but we have got the draw against the best team in the league."



"I'm not too disappointed," said United director of football Graham Turner after the match. "This is a tough place to get a point. We're second, we have ten points and crucially, we are unbeaten."



The Bulls now play Aldershot on Monday at Edgar Street in a top-of-the-table clash. "We're really looking forward to the match. It should be a good test, and should have a good few fans there," said Williams, who was concerned that striker Daniel Carey-Bertram may have to miss the match with a tweaked hamstring picked up in the game at Underhill.

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Winning streak ends

Barnet today became the first team of the new season to take any points off Hereford. United only managed a draw against a physical Barnet side. The Bulls took the lead in front of their 300 followers with a Tony James penalty (78), but where unable to hold out for the three points after Hendon free-kick was deflected past Matt Baker six minutes later.



Terry's report is here.

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Turner looks ahead to weekend games

In an interview with Trevor Owens of BBC Hereford and Worcester, Graham Turner, the Hereford United director of football, has been looking forwrd to this weekend's games and looking back at the season so far.



He said "It's been a great start in terms of the points, goals scored and the goals against column looks very good and I think everybody is enjoying it at the moment. The important thing is not to get carried away. I think there is still room for improvement.



"It's concerned me a couple of times against Morecambe that we conceded chances, good chances to Morecambe at crucial stages of the game. Having said that we had a lot of oppurtunities ourselves from good play, from good passing movements. 3-0 I don't think it flattered us as certainly we could have popped one or two more in but it just concerns me that we have to keep our feet on the floor.



"It will be a tough task at Barnet, to go there and get something and basically the message to the players is that it's been hard work in these three matches and if we continue to work as hard in the next half dozen matches or so we will get a good return from those games as well.



"The two front players that have started off, Steve Guinan and Rob Purdie, have done very well for us not only with goals, Steve's very good return at the moment, but the amount of work they have done, the movement off the ball, the supporting play from the two of them and the combination between the two of them, the understanding, has been first class.



"Obviously we have got David Brown to come in. He has had his first reserve match this week since his collar-bone problem and came through it okay and Daniel Carey-Bertram is doing exceptionally well. He scored a hat-trick for the reserves at Hednesford this week. He got on against Forest Green and scored. He should have scored against Morecambe, probably the easiest chance of the match, but he's looking very lively and has a good attitude towards work and wants to be in that side.



"There is a bit of competition for those front places and we will need that during the course of the season. We have got Steve Guinan at the moment carrying a slight thigh problem. He is getting through the matches but missing the occasional training day and that not the ideal scenario. We are hoping with the rest that he has had this week it might have cleared it up but if at any time he does struggle then we have got adequate replacements to come in.



"We will probably need them over this weekend with two games in three days, Barnet tomorrow and Aldershot on Monday. You need that cover and I think this season although we have not got a great deal of numbers, we have got adequate cover in terms of playing strength.



"I watched the Aldershot game on television when they beat Accrington Stanley and I think they are a decent side. At the back they have got two very experienced players in Warburton and Rodwell. Upfront I thought they were a handfull so we know that it's going to be a tough task. They have not taken their nine points by accident. It was a tremendous win for them at Telford 5-2 and Telford were one of the fancied sides this season so I think we will respect them.



"But first of all we have to get through Barnet which is never an easy place to go to. Tony James and Andy Tretton will need all their experience and know-how to cope with the Barnet front two. If we can contain them we have a good chance of taking the points."

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United boss impressed with opposite number

Graham Turner is expecting a tough match tomorrow when the Bulls travel to Barnet tomorrow, kick off 3pm.



Steve Guinan is available after overcoming a thigh injury leaving just Rob Sawyers sidelined, but Turner is aware of the threat that Barnet pose after they beat highly-fancied Telford United 2-0 on the opening day.



Turner said he admires Barnet boss Martin Allen's management style. "I was quite impressed with Martin last season, he was a constant source of encouragement from the dugout and they've got a decent team particularly up front with Grazioli and Strevens," he told the Evening News.



"They will be fired up, organised and prepared to work hard, so we will need to impose our character and style on the game but in the mood we are in we can do that."



Fitness is also a major aspect of the game as the Bulls play Aldershot on Monday. "We need to be lucky at Barnet in terms of staying clear of injuries because there's no time to strengthen or replace players," Turner added.



Aldershot won the Ryman League last season and have won their first three matches in the Conference. "The momentum which Aldershot gained from promotion has kept them going," he said. "Aldershot are a solid side, their front two look very strong and they have got some experienced players so perhaps their start to the season is not such a big surprise."

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Youth side slump to defeat

Hereford United's debut in the Midland Floodit Youth League Premier Division didn't go quite according to plan last night.



They hosted Sutton Coldfield Town, but went down 3-1 in the match in their second defeat of the week.



On Monday night, the Bulls lost 7-0 at Port Vale in the first round of the Midland Youth Cup.

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Star striker fit for Barnet test

Hereford United's joint top scorer, Steve Guinan, is fit to face Barnet on Saturday.



The attacker, who along with Ben Smith has scored four times in three matches, had a thigh problem but has been passed fit to play at Underhill, leaving midfielder Rob Sawyers as the only doubt with a back injury.



Barnet boss Martin Allen hopes his side can bounce back from a crushing 5-2 defeat against Deganham & Redbridge, and said: "The players will want to put in a good performance after the disappointment of last week."



Top scorer Guiliano Grazioli, with three goals, is expected to the lead the attack against a United side yet to drop a point and having scored eleven goals.

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Reserves beat off Hednesford

In last night's Central Conference reserve match, the Bulls won 4-0 against Hednesford Town. Daniel Carey-Bertram scored a hatrick in the game, and United line-up was: Adam Ding, Paul Collins, Dean Craven, Steve O'Kelly, Richard Teesdale, Jordan King, Chris Mortlock, Daniel Carey-Bertram, David Brown, Alex Loban.



Graham Turner will run the reserve side with Richard O'Kelly this season, and Turner said: "The league will be much better run this season and, although Grantham are in it, the agreement is to play them twice at neutral grounds."



The youth side won 5-0 against Lye Town in the pre-season friendly, and the scorers were Chris Mortlock (2), Lewis Jones, Dean Jordan and Ben Jordan.



However, they crashed 7-0 on Tuesday night to Port Vale to exit the Midland Youth Cup at the opening stage.



The Hereford United Disabled Team kick-off the pre-season matches on Sunday, when they play Chelsea at the Leisure Centre, kick off 2pm.



Elsewhere, former United attacker Stewart Phillips has raised over £2,000 from his London Marathon run. The money will go to three-year-old William Gregory, who has cerebral palsy, and will be used to buy a specialist computer and pay for treatment in London.

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Bulls' hopes for cash injection dampened

The sale of a proportion of Mark Blandford's shares in Sportingbet could see him inject some of the fortune into Hereford United.



He reportedly raised just under £2.5 million from the sale, previously reported on HU-FC.co.uk, and is known to be an avid supporter of the club.



However, he has other priorities before the football club. "I know there have been expectations from some fans that I may put money into the football club, but my main priority is my family," he told the Hereford Times.



Meanwhile, the trouble at Tamworth has sparked the board of directors to make a statement on the 'hooligan element' attached to the club. The club are worried about a potential points deduction, and fine, the could be levied if the trouble continues from the twenty or so fans involved, report the Hereford Times.



At the liaison meeting, West Mercia Police will be in attendance to enter into discussions about the problem.



"The incidents, when they happen, occur at away matches," said chairman Graham Turner. "However, it must be pointed out that there were no arrests at the match in Tamworth and the problems do not occur at Edgar Street."



Turner added that court exclusion orders are required against culprits, and that four United followers are currently banned from Edgar Street.

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