May 1996

May 4th:

HEREFORD 2 Rochdale 0

Veterans Nicky Cross and Steve White helped Hereford clinched a place in the Division Three play-offs with this win over Rochdale.

For the 5,880 fans it was a splendid end to the League programme, plus the title of manager of the month for director of football Graham Turner.

It was Hereford's game from start to finish, with total domination for the first 30 minutes.

The two goals came from Cross, on half-time, and veteran White who headed in his 33rd goal of the season.

Rochdale's only firm chance was when top scorer Whitehall had a clear sight of goal but muffed his shot.

A couple of half chances from Taylor and Lancaster came to nothing.

Then, from a Fishlock corner, the ball was laid off by White for Cross to stab home the opener.

White's clincher came seven minutes from time.

Afterwards, Cross said: "All I want now is for the fans to cheer us on to Wembley."

In the Play-offs were - Plymouth, Darlington, Hereford and Colchester.

May 12th:

HEREFORD United 1 Darlington 2

Darlington fought back to earn a priceless first-leg victory in today's third division promotion play-off semi-final at Edgar Street in front of 6,622 spectators.

The visitors suffered a nightmare start, falling behind to Dean Smith's second-minute opener from Murray Fishlock's free kick after Richard Wilkins was fouled by Matt Appleby.

But Darlington, who withstood some heavy pressure after the early setback, drew level in the 27th minute after Sean Gregan headed over the goalkeeper Chris McKenzie's head from Matt Carmichael's useful centre kick.

Youngster Jamie Pitman gifted Darlington the winner 10 minutes later, losing possession to Mark Barnard on the left, who centred for the teenager Robert Blake to claim his 12th goal of the season.

May 15th:

DARLINGTON 2 Hereford United 1 (Darlington win 4-2 on agg) (report from the Independent)

Darlington reached Wembley for the first time in their history when they beat Hereford in the second leg of the Third Division play- off semi-final.

Darlington went ahead in the 17th minute from Robbie Painter's strike and they scored again just after half-time through Matt Appleby's penalty.

In the 65th minute Steve White got one back for Hereford, who had Richard Wilkins sent off six minutes from time for a foul on Mark Barnard.

Hereford United: MacKenzie; Watkiss, Fishlock, Smith, Cross, James, Stoker, Wilkins, White, Lyne, Pitman. Substitutes not used: Brough, Downing, Pounder.

May 18th:

FORMER Wolves manager Graham Turner, now boss at Hereford, has gone back to Molineux hoping to prise away transfer-listed Northern Ireland winger Robbie Dennison.

But Dennison is reluctant to move before agreeing compensation for loss of income from his testimonial season.