October 1999

Oct 1st:

GRAHAM Turner has asked for a repeat of Hereford United's home performance against Rushden when former league side Scarborough visit Edgar Street on Saturday.

MATT Clarke, the Hereford right back, has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2001.

ANDREW Quy needs further surgery on his knee and could be unavailabe for three months.

DAVE Chapman, the Wildenhall 'keeper, has signed as FA Cup back-up this season due to the injury of Andrew Quy. He has signed on non-contract forms.

THE United reserves feeble attempt of retaining the Doxhill Cup ended with a 2-1 defeat in the qualifying round against Cheltenham Town at Edgar Street. Paul Parry scored United's only goal.

Oct 2nd:

GRAHAM Turner is already planning to secure the foundations of his Hereford United squad for next season reports the Sports Argus.

The Bulls chief, who has seen players come and go like a department store revolving door in the past few seasons, signalled his determination to secure the services of his core players when Matt Clarke signed an extension to his current deal.

The defender, who joined last term from Kidderminster, has put pen to paper on a new full-time deal which takes him through to the summer of 2001.

And Turner hopes to ensure continuity by securing more players. With the Bosman Ruling having a wide-ranging impact, managers now need to look a year ahead on contracts and player availability.

"Matt had his problems with injury last season but he has looked very good this year," said Turner. "We've extended his contract for a year which is good news.

"We've got Ian Wright, Paul Sturgess and Steve Piearce plus Matt already signed for next year. We're gradually building a squad where we don't have to worry too much about what will happen in the summer.

"In the last four seasons, we've only been able to look at one season to the next and we've seen players we wanted to keep leave the club.

"What we want to do is get some continuity so we can build rather having to rebuild every summer."

Meanwhile Hereford proved they should not be over-looked in an increasingly unpredictable Conference title campaign after slamming Rushden & Diamonds 4-0 on Tuesday.

It followed last Saturday's disappointment at Dover Athletic but those two chalk and cheese results proved how any side can beat any other.

Hereford might be regarded 33-1 shots by the bookies in the championship odds, but Turner is positive they will have a say in the title race.

"There's nothing special in this league," he said. "There are a lot of solid sides but I don't think there's one outstanding team. Everybody looks capable of beating everybody else.

"What we've got to do is to keep ourselves in contention."

HEREFORD United will play Burgess Hill in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup at Edgar Street on the 16th of October, 1999. This was after the West Sussex club beat Newport County 2-1 in South Wales.

HEREFORD United 4 - 4 Scarborough

For the second time this week, Hereford United scored four goals, but this time conceded four, and shared the points against a lively Scarborough at Edgar Street.

The Scorers-

Paul Fewings 10, 12 minutes (Hereford), Morris 17 (Scarborough), Harriot 35 (Scarborough), Elmes 44 (Hereford), Stoker 59 (Scarborough), Brodie 86 (Scarborough), Snape 88 (Hereford)

The Bulls lead at 2-0, and at 3-2, but then went 3-2 behind with just four minutes left. But John Snape saved the day with a 15 yard left footed drive with two minutes left, which was his second goal for the club.

Paul Fewings started well. His first goal was the result of a cross from Paul Sturgess, work in the box from Paul Parry and poor shot from Taylor. Fewings intercepted and shot out of the reach of Scarborough goalkeeper Andrew Wood. Fewings scored again two minutes later. Taylor's corner was headed on by Rob Elmes, and Fewings headed the ball past the goalie.

Scarborough came back, and scored on seventeen minutes when Brodie shot, and Andy Morris slotted the ball past Mark Jones. The second Scarborough goal ame when Marvin Harriott shot from 35 yards was deflected by the wind, and Jones was left stranded. 2-2. It didn't stay that way! With three minutes of the first half left, Elmes headed his seventh goal of the season, after a Paul Sturgess free-kick met him in the box.

The second half started uneventfully, until just before the hour. Gareth Stoker (remember him!) struck from the edge of the box, and Jones could do nothing as the ball slotted under him.

Four minutes left, and David Bass' overhead kick was met by Morris. Brodie then clung onto the ball, and netted from close range. Scarborough's travelling supporters erupted into celebration. But their victory was short lived. Snape equalised to share the points, and the result seems a fair one. Both managers commented on the poor defending and great attacking after the final whistle.

Attendance = 1,886

Man of the match - Paul Fewings (Hereford United)

Hereford - Jones, Clarke, Wright, James, Sturgess, Rodgerson, Taylor, Snape, Elmes, Parry, Fewings.

Sub(s) who came on - Williams

JOHN Snape doesn't often score goals.

"I don't score many and I'm over the moon with that one from my left foot - I usually just stand on that one," he said after the game.

GRAHAM Turner commented: " We did not play the ball about as we did against Rushden but they didn't allow us as much room. We knew their tall players would give us problems from set-pieces and it was a game in which the referee gave a lot of free-kicks. But we are giving our fans plenty of goals."

FORMER Hereford United manager Colin Addison who is the Scarborough manager said: "What a game! Our defending was atrocious in the first half, but give our lads credit, they showed character and resolve to come back and score four times."

Oct 4th:

SEPTEMBER's highest scorer award has been won for the first time by a Hereford United player. Paul Fewings shared the award with Ritchie Hanlon of Welling United, as they both scored five goals. They also share the prize, receiving £125 each.

Oct 5th:

HEREFORD United 2 Sutton 0 (after extra time)

United progressed to the second round of the Conference Cup with Leroy May scored both of the goals.

Despite a very low attendance, it was much higher than the other three Nationwide McMillan Cup matches on the same night. After a drab ninety minutes, the game came alive in the extra time period. On 88 minutes, Paul Sturgess limped off, so Hereford United were reduced to ten men as Graham Turner had made all of his substitutions.

One of those substitutes, Leroy May, was influencial. On 97 minutes, Paul Parry crossed from the left to met the head on May, who made the score 1-0. Just four minutes later, Parry passed two defenders, slipped the ball to Leroy May who made the score 2-0.

In normal time, Gareth Howells saved well from a Leroy May shot, and Gavin Williams headed just wide at another attempt.

It was not all Hereford, however. Sutton missed as early as the fourth minute, when Nko Ekoku's shot was saved superbly by Jones. In the second half of extra time, Jones saved from Francis Vines. Jones also palmed away Forrester's effort, and Chris Lane cleared from Sam Winston's shot from off the line.

Attendance = 625

Man of the Match - Mark Jones (Hereford United)

Hereford - Jones, Clarke, Wright, Lane, Sturgess, Rodgerson, Taylor, Snape, Elmes, Fewings, Parry.

Sub(s) who came on - Williams, May, Lane

GRAHAM Turner's post match comment: "Although it's a low key competition, winning becomes a habit and May's two goals may be a milestone in his season. With Steve Piearce getting back to fitness after his injury, we have five strikers in contention which will give me something to think about."

Oct 6th:

WOKING are the opponents on Saturday as Hereford United aim to accumilate their second away league win of the season.

YEOVIL Town are the opponents in the next round of the Nationwide McMillan Cup. The match will be played at Huish Park on November 9th.

PAUL Sturgess and Matt Clarke are out for Hereford United's FA Cup tie against Burgess Hill next weekend. Both have received five yellow cards, and are serving a one match ban. Chris Lane will fill in for Clarke, but Sturgess' place has yet to be filled. Burgess Hill play in the Unijet Sussex League, which they have won for the last three seasons. Despite this, they have not been promoted to the Ryman League due to ground restrictions.

HEREFORD United Under 18's have been given a bye to the second round of the HFA Under 18 Youth Cup.

Oct 9th:

HEREFORD United have become football's great entertainers - but there's still a frown on the face of manager Graham Turner reports the Sports Argus.

The Bulls' 4-4 draw with Scarborough emphasised the highs and lows. Turner's men, handily placed in the top six, are now the highest scorers in the pro game with 27 in 14 Conference matches but a goals against record of 24 is the second worst in the division.

"That's why we're not top of the table," he added. "We attack as a team and the goals have been spread throughout the side. But we've got to defend as a team as well."

Turner has also been disappointed to see gates fall, with attractive matches against Rushden and Scarborough in the last ten days failing to attract more than 1,800 apiece.

"I'm baffled why we aren't getting more fans to watch. There's plenty of entertainment at Edgar Street," he said. "Twelve months ago we could not score goals and I have to admit the standard was quite poor. This season the goals have been flying in but maybe that novelty of playing in the Conference has worn off. It's success that brings people in."

Meanwhile, keeper Andy Quy will miss the next two months' action after undergoing knee surgery this week. Willenhall Town's Dave Chapman has signed as cover.

HEREFORD United, who top the Conference charts with 27 goals, have all five strikers available at Woking. Paul Fewings and Rob Elmes are the current strikeforce with seven goals each, but Leroy May and Steve Piearce are fit again to stake a claim.

May came on as a substitute and scored two goals to sink Sutton United in the Macmillan Trophy on Tuesday, while Piearce was on target for the reserves against Burton Albion

HEREFORD United will be reminded of the old motto of "once bitten twice shy" when they entertain Burgess Hill Town next Saturday.

The Sussex County League minnows, who KO'd Newport County last week, are some four levels below the Bulls in the Pyramid but manager Graham Turner will point to last season's shock exit as a salutary Cup reminder.

"We were coasting 2-0 against Newport IoW last year but they grabbed two goals in the last five minutes and we were out of the Cup 3-2," said Turner.

"I will be reminding the players what happened before they go out against Burgess Hill. We don't want it to happen again.

"They are an experienced side whose players have played at a decent non-League standard. They proved what they can do by beating Newport so we will give them plenty of respect."

The Bulls will be without keeper Andy Quy, who this week underwent a knee operation, but James Wall will be available after a one match ban.

WOKING 0 - 2 Hereford United

Hereford United gained their second away league win of the season with a 2-0 win over lowly Woking, who are not having the best of seasons. The Hereford United goals came from Paul Fewings (38 minutes) and Leroy May (86 minutes). May has now scored three goals in four days.

It was a hard game, with very few pretty spells. The Bulls were unchanged for the third game running, which doesn't happen very often, and Elmes had the first chance on three minutes. His shot came after a mix-up in the Woking defence, but Elmes' effort was aved by the 'keeper, who did well to recover. Five minutes later, Paul Parry had a chance in the box after a good bit of play from Paul Fewings. His shot was blocked by Woking's goalie. On the 17th minute, Woking had their first real chance. West headered from a corner, but Rodgerson was ready to clear the effort off the line. The goal eventually came seven minutes from the half time whistle. Taylor's corner was headered on by Elmes, and Fewings scored from six yards. Soon after Payne hit the crossbar for Woking, but Hereford had a narrow 1-0 lead at the break.

Woking started piling on the pressure in the second half, but by the hour, Hereford were coming back having held the London side off for the duration. Midway through the second half, Woking hit the crossbar for a second time. Wilkinson's shot had beaten Jones, but did not go in. The result was put beyond doubt with four minutes to go, when Leroy May, on as a subsitute for Fewings, beat the 'keeper at the near post after good build-up play from John Snape. The result shows that United can win when playing badly, and can soak up pressure without conceding too many goals.

Attendance = 2,128

Man of the match - Mark Jones (Hereford)

Hereford - Jones, Clarke, Wright, Lane, Sturgess, Rodgerson, Taylor, Snape, Elmes, Fewings, Parry.

Sub(s) who came on - Williams, May

Oct 14th:

CHRIS Lane has asked for a transfer, due to a lack of first team football. His place has been taken by Matt Clarke this season, but he will play on Saturday in the FA Cup as Clarke is injured. Graham Turner has said that he will not leave unless the deal is suited to both player and club.

BRISTOL Stadiums have stopped all interest on the £500,000 loan to Hereford United. The loan is due for repayment in the summer of 2003. The second loan, from Chelverton Properties, has also been capped. Graham Turner is delighted at the news.

BARTON Rovers are the Umbro Trophy second round opponents of Hereford United. Saturday, 27th November has been set for the match.

Oct 16th:

DEFENDER Chris Lane is looking to leave Hereford United after failing to gain a regular role this season reports the Sports Argus.

The 20-year-old former Everton trainee was a near ever-present last season - only Mark Taylor played in more games - but he has been frustrated sitting on the sidelines this and Bulls boss Graham Turner said he appreciated Lane's feelings and accepted his transfer request.

"I can understand it. He has been unable to get a regular first team place this season and he wants to play," said the Edgar Street chief.

"I've no desire to lose any player but we have circulated his details to other clubs and we will see what interest comes in."

The Bulls, though, can look forward to an increased battle for places with the continuing recovery of Steve Piearce. The summer signing from Halesowen Town, who has been sidelined for a month, showed his sharpness with a hat-trick for the reserves at Telford on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Hereford have been given a boost off the pitch with a new deal over repaying a £500,000 loan with the Bristol Stadium Group.

Hereford have joined potential developers to find a new home so Edgar Street could be developed.

Graham Turner, who is the club's owner after his rescue package 12 months ago, said it will be three or four years before any move to a new stadium but one financial headache has eased.

The club's directors and Bristol Stadium Group have agreed to cap the interest on the £0.5 million loan from May 1997. It will now run parallel with the loan from Chelverton, the other part of the consortium, which is due to be repaid in May 2003 and is also interest-free.

Turner said he was delighted by the attitude of the developers in assisting the club.

"Relocation will be a long and complicated matter. Progress has been made with one particular site but at present further possibilities are being explored," he added.

"It is vital that we get the best possible location. Therefore no definitive announcement can be made at present because of the commercial sensitivity of the matter.

"For any scheme to succeed, it will need the co-operation and understanding of the council. Without that, the club has no future.

"The task of satisfying everyone will be considerable. However, nothing is insurmountable."

HEREFORD United 4 - 1 Burgess Hill Town (FA Challenge Cup Fourth Qualifying Round Match)

Hereford United turned on the style, as they beat a positively charged Burgess Hill side convincingly. Four goals went in for United, with two in each half. Fewings, Parry, Williams and Piearce did the business, but Clinton Moore equalised for Burgess in the first half.

The second goal, from Fewings, was after a free kick was well worked around the wall, and United's top scorer did the business again. The third was after good work between Elmes and Williams lead to a superb cross which reached the head of Parry. He converted the chance to increase the lead to 3-1.

In spite of the result, the referee made some frustrating decisions. Various penalty chances were turned down by Mr A M Penn, and some fouls and infringements were missed by him. However, United will be pleased with the win. A home draw with York City is the reward in the next round, with the northerners struggling in Division Three.

Attendance = 1,611

Man of the match - Gavin Williams (Hereford)

Hereford - Jones, Lane, Wright, Williams, James, Rodgerson, Taylor, Snape, Elmes, Fewings, Parry.

Sub(s) who came on - Piearce, May

Oct 16th:

HEREFORD United have drawn York City at home in the FA Cup First Round Proper. The game will be played on 30th October, 1999.

Oct 21st:

HEREFORD United play Hayes on Saturday in the Nationwide Conference League. A win for United could make them jump to third place in the league, but other results must go their way.

Oct 23rd:

IT's a sign of the changing times at Edgar Street that Ian Rodgerson will be the only player from the Bulls' 1997 giant-killing exploits when they seek another FA Cup upset reports the Sports Argus.

One word sums up the events since Hereford ousted Brighton and then Colchester to reach round three, where they were KO'd by First Division Tranmere - traumatic.

But after battling for survival in the midst of cash crises, next Saturday's home tie with York City can provide Hereford will be a double bonus - putting a smile of the faces of the fans and the bank manager!

Moreover, a money-spinning run would have a positive impact on their main goal - regaining Football League status.

"The league is definitely the priority," said the 35-year-old defender or midfielder, who also now helps boss Graham Turner on the coaching side,

"With just one spot up for grabs it's going to be tough but if we could get a good run in the Cup and bring some money into the club it could solve some of the off-the-field problems.

"If we could make a few bob it could help buy one or two players which can make a difference in the league. A good run could really make our season."

Hereford's place in Cup folklore is guaranteed - their 1972 win over Newcastle United being one of the most repeated clips of television - but Rodgerson believes the 1999-2000 squad is now starting to fulfil its potential, especially with the full-time training reaping its benefit.

A game with lowly Division Three side York in front of their own fans will provide the stage to measure their skills.

Rodgerson, who will be looking forward to facing one-time Sunderland team-mate Steve Agnew, said: "Motivation won't be a problem.

"We will be the underdogs playing a Third Division side but we will be up for it. The FA Cup is special, particularly to Hereford with their history and the lads will be ready."

The key could be up-front. The Bulls are the top scoring side in the nation's top five divisions, though both top marksman Paul Fewings and Steve Piearce will face injury fights.

"We're spoilt for choice with the strikers we've got now. It makes such a difference when you know you've got players who can score goals," he added. "It takes the pressure off the defence and you play better when you are confident and relaxed.

"I'm sure we will create chances and if we stay solid at the back we've got a great chance."

HEREFORD United 0 - 2 Hayes

Hereford lost their first league match in six, and Hayes wanted to win the match. Despite scoring twenty nine goals overall, they failed to score for the third league match this season, and it was the first competitive match that they had not scored at Edgar Street since April, when they drew 0-0 with Welling United.

Ian Hodson must have fallen asleep in the Hayes goal, and he only had to pull off two saves. In the third minute, he palmed away a good chance from Ian Rodgerson, Again on the hour, the former Cardiff and Sunderland player was denied again by an alert Hodson. The best chance for the Bulls came on 28 minutes, when Gavin Williams was put clear by Robin Elmes. His soft shot was easily saved by Hodson.

An identical chance was made by Hayes on 49 minutes, but Errol Telemaque slotted the ball past Jones. A second goal was conceded by Hereford on 62 minutes. Barry Moore's short pass was picked up by Lee Charles, who knocked a close range shot into the back of the net.

A late surge from United came to nothing, as Mark Taylor headed over the bar, and substitute Leroy May headed just wide. This was a clean game, and referee L Probert from Somerset had no real incidents to deal with. United were well beaten, and their worst performance of the season so far resulted in them getting exactly what they deserved - NOTHING.

Attendance = 1,655

Man of the match - Lee Charles (Hayes)

Hereford - Jones, Clarke, Sturgess, Wright, Williams, James, Rodgerson, Taylor, Snape, Elmes, Parry.

Sub(s) who came on - May

GRAHAM Turner commented after the game: "We were a complete and utter shambles. After Paul Parry set up a couple of chances early in the game we lost our shape in midfield and players ran around where they liked. At half-time I told them that Mark Jones had kept us in the game with a couple of good saves. Then we go and give away two horrendous goals."

Oct 24th:

HEREFORD United have reached an undisclosed settlement with their former manager John Layton.

Layton, who parted company with the Edgar Street club five years ago, had been seeking £50,000 compensation in a claim which was due to be heard in Worcester today.

But Hereford chairman Graham Turner said yesterday: "It has been settled out of court and the solicitors may make a statement in due course."

Layton, who is now administrator and coach at the Herefordshire Football Association's School of Excellence, made 198 Football League appearances for the Bulls in the 1970's, scoring 13 goals.

Oct 26th:

LADBROOOKS have made Hereford United 2000/1 to win the FA Cup in the year 2000. If United get to Wembley next May, you might have won a fortune, unless you backed the United's of Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds etc...

Oct 27th:

THE Hereford vs Northwich clash has been moved on a day as not to clash with the England vs Scotland Euro 2000 play-off match. The game will now be played on Sunday, November 14th at 3pm.

Oct 28th:

HEREFORD United are favourites for the FA Cup tie against the third division side York City. Here are the odds: Hereford United 11-8 Favourites; Draw 11-5; York City 13-8. York City have players with great experience, including former Spurs and Bolton defender Chris Fairclough, and Barry Conlon, their £100,000 signing from Southend United. Marc Williams, a Wales B international, will also play.

THE FA Cup will mean the parading of a Hereford Bull before the match on Saturday. A swede will also be placed on the centre spot, and around 300 York City supporters are expected to attend.

PAUL Fewings is expected to be in the starting line-up in the match with York City on Saturday after recovering from a hamstring strain.

STEVE Piearce has a back injury, and only has a 10% chance of playing. Piearce is currently at the FA's Lilleshall Rehabilition Centre so specialists can examine his injury.

JOHN Layton, the former United manager, has been awarded £10,000 compensation for his dismissal four and a half years ago. He has been promised a testimonial match at the club. If United had won in court, they would have lost around £12,000. If Layton had won, the club would have lost £50,000 and gone out of business. The out of court settlement was the right option for all concerned.

Oct 29th:

HEREFORD United's first-round FA Cup tie against York City at Edgar Street tomorrow, will be preceded by fans praying to a swede in the centre of the pitch.

The bizarre rural ritual was resurrected for the first time in 20 years when Hereford beat Burgess Hill in the fourth qualifying round two weeks ago.

Supporter Jane Griffiths, who used to take part in the traditional ceremony when it was enacted during the early Seventies, recalled: "Before every cup game, supporters would go on to the pitch and place a swede on the centre spot.

"They would then kneel around the vegetable and worship it before it was taken down to the Meadow End of the ground and kicked into the net."

As well as the swede-worship, Hereford's ten-ton mascot, a Herefordshire bull called Kudos, will be paraded around the ground before kick-off.

Hereford's director of football Graham Turner said: "Worshipping the swede may not be conventional, but it proved successful against Burgess Hill, so we're going to try again."

Oct 30th:

GRAHAM Turner has commented about the former manager John Layton case which was recently settled out of court.

"In total it will have cost the club in excess of £20,000 and a considerable amount of time," said Turner writing in BullsEye.

"It is an amount that hurts us financially, there is no doubt about that, but it is something we can recover from.

"Perhaps the saddest part about it is that the £10,000 settlement figure to John Layton may well be taken to settle his legal bill and he will finish up with nothing.

"It just confirms my statement last week that the only real winners are the legal profession."

HEREFORD United will aim to put last week's shock defeat to Hayes down as "one of those days," reports the Sports Argus.

Manager Graham Turner had urged his players before last Saturday's match to concentrate on the league match, rather than being tempted to think of today's FA Cup-tie with York.

"I don't know whether their minds were elsewhere, they shouldn't have been," said Turner. "I kicked a few backsides before the game but you just get performances like that from time to time."

HEREFORD United 1 - 0 York City

United reached the second round of the FA Cup in an eventful game at Edgar Street. The swede was blessed before the game to bring good luck to the home side, and it did exactly that!

Despite have the best of the play, United were unable to open the scoring in the first half. The York City defence stubbed out any Hereford attacks before they could by formed into decent chances.

The second half brought the long awaited goal, which had been on the cards. Hereford United took the lead with thirteen minutes to go through Leroy May. Gavin Williams set up the effort which was well taken by the striker who had been getting a bit of stick from the crowd during the first half. Despite this, his man-of-the-match award was well earned, and a minor pitch invasion took place as May celebrated the goal with the fans. At full-time, United fans poured onto the boggy pitch which was cutting up during the game.

The York City team were given a talking to by their manager at the end of the match, and an open dressing room window allowed intrigued United fans to listen in, but it was slammed shut by a hand.

This was a truly great performance by Hereford United. After gaining the lead in difficult conditions, the wind and rain making the game hard to play in parts, they defended their lead as required. York City hit the post in the losing minutes, but Mark Jones looked comfortable in the United goal, with no major saves to make. One word to round the game up for United fans - Superb!

Attendance = 2,787

Man of the match - Leroy May

Hereford - Jones, Clarke, Sturgess, Wright, James, Williams, Rodgerson, Taylor, Snape, May, Parry.

Sub(s) who came on - None.

POST Match comments, firstly scorer Leroy May: "I've scored goals in the FA Cup before but never one that has knocked out a league club. I've given up stripping now I'm a full-time footballer - scoring goals is now my life."

And Graham Turner: "Leroy has worked hard, waited patiently, and taken his chance. I was delighted with the crowd's reaction to his goal.

"In the last five minutes we had a couple of lucky breaks but overall we deserved to win. We should have got the ball into their penalty area more often than we did, but there was a good level of performance from everyone."

Oct 30th:

FORMER male stripper Leroy May defrocked York City with a late winner to fire Graham Turner's battling Bulls into the second round reports the Sunday Mercury.

May stitched up stunned York with a 77th-minute strike to see off their Third Division visitors - then put it all down to swede-worshipping.

Hereford's bizarre pre-match ritual of kicking a swede into the home goal for good luck worked when May found the same net, beating stranded keeper Bobby Mimms and latched onto the end of Mark Taylor's hanging right-wing cross.

Having for once kept his shirt on in the celebrations, the much-travelled Dudley-born striker claimed: "That beats taking your clothes off for a living - nothing compares with scoring goals."

Only playing because of knocks to the Bulls' first-choice front line pairing of Paul Fewings and Robin Elmes, it was May's first start since August after suffering injury problems himself.

And, having scored all his three goals this season as substitute, once again there was not long left when he struck.

"All I remember was a high ball coming in, their defence stopping, and the keeper never coming," he reflected. "I just stuck my leg out and it went in. Although I did have a quick look at the linesman to check it wasn't offside."

It had proved an awful first half, chances having been few and far between on either side, chiefly due to the weather, the unusual pre-match swede ritual having served only to trigger a torrential downpour which left the Edgar Street pitch almost too treacherous to play.

May's off-target far post header via another neat cross from former Walsall and Shrewsbury midfield man Taylor was the closest either side came, and it got little better after the break until May struck.

But, once the Bulls had gone in front, it was a different story as, in a final gripping quarter hour of Cup drama, York bombed forward desperately in search of an equaliser.

Twice they nearly got one, sub Matt Hocking just failing to steal onto Barry Conlon's cross before, deep into injury time, substitute John Williams - the former Midland postman up against his old club - was denied only by the left upright.

But while sub Williams was left cursing at having for once not missed the post, Hereford hung on to make sure they didn't miss out on another slice of Cup glory.

Oct 30th:

A HOME home tie against either Millwall or Hartlepool United is the reward for Hereford United's 1-0 victory over York City in the FA Cup. The Millwall vs Hartlepool match is to be played tomorrow.

Oct 31st:

A HOME tie against Hartlepool will follow in the FA Cup after Pool beat Millwall 1-0. Jones scored in the last minute to win the tie.