December 1999

Dec 1st:

FINAL reminder - Members must buy their tickets from the club office by 4pm on Friday for the Leicester match, or risk losing them to non-members.

Dec 2nd:

BILLERICAY Town info Injury problems - Umbro Trophy opponents Billericay Town are a league higher than last round's opponents Barton Rovers (Ryman Premier), and are currently 9th. They have 23 points from 16 games, and will be fancying their chances at their home ground in Essex.

Southport will post threat - Hereford United's preperation for the FA Cup tie against Leicester could go pear shaped in they don't get something from their home match against Southport on Saturday. The Northerners have appointed Paul Lodge as caretaker manager after the resignation of Paul Futcher last week. They are currenly six points behind United, with two games in hand, and in 17th place.

Injury problems - Both Mark Taylor and Ian Wright could miss this weekend's match through injury.

Rebels transfer listed - Craig Hanson and Matt Clarke have be placed on the transfer list by Graham Turner. Hanson wants regular first team football, but Matt Clarke's reason for the action is unknown. Graham Turner has stated that cover is good for Clarke. Chris Lane and Ian Rodgerson are also right sided defenders.

Bank to wait - The £75,000 from Sky Sports is not to be paid to the bank. Turner has said that a final decision will be made in a couple of weeks.

Ticket news - Any members must buy their tickets for the match by tomorrow (Friday). Any cards and season tickets must be shown when purchasing from the club shops. Junior Bulls are allowed one adult (non-member) ticket to attend the match with them. Vouchers will then be handed out at the Southport game on Saturday, and people with vouchers may purchase tickets between 10am and 12pm on Sunday. Any tickets left are then on sale to the general public. Prices are - SEATS : £13 (Concessions £6) TERRACES : £10 (Concessions £5)

Motty returns - John Motson will return to Edgar Street to commentate on the Leicester City match for BBC's Match Of The Day. His first big match came in 1972 when United beat Newcastle 2-1.

80% record - Hereford United have only lost once against a league side since relegation from Division Three in 1997. They have beaten Brighton, Colchester, York and Hartlepool. Only Tranmere have beaten United since demotion, winning 3-0 in the third round.

Dec 4th:

HEREFORD United 2 - 1 Southport

Their first double of the season, Hereford have now gained six points off Southport. It must be a good side for Fewings to play against - he has scored twice against them this season. As predicted, the biggest league attendance of the season at Edgar Street watched this, and it may have had something to do with the vochers being handed out for the Leicester match next weekend. An unchanged line-up for Hereford, and it paid off.

The action began in the first minute, with Furlong shooting at Jones, and United had chances wasted through Parry and Sturgess. Southport's best early chance came with Mark Stuart, but he ballooned ove the bar. Two minutes later, Stuart's free-kick was only just scrambled away by Jones. Soon after, United hit back. Fewings' shot was saved by Dickinson, and Stuart, on good form, had his head scooped from under the bar by Jones.

United took the lead against the run of play on 45 minutes, when Williams crossed, Wright headed on for Fewings to beat the 'keeper. Straight after break, the Bulls should have doubled their lead, but Fewings' shot was stopped by Dickinson. On 63 minutes, Southport should have been awarded a penalty. Arnold had been pulled to the ground by Wright, but referee Probert deemed it a fair challenge.

Two minutes later, Fewings was pulled down by Ryan, and Williams' penalty was brilliantly saved by Dickinson. Southport fought for the equaliser, and substitute Elam ran onto a Trundle through ball eight minutes from time to slot the ball past Jones from ten yards.

United, however, did produce a winner. A long throw-in caused problems for the defence and Wright fired home from five yards, awarding himself the man-of-the-match award and his team three points.

Attendance = 2,610

Man of the match - Ian Wright

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

Sub(s) who came on - Rodgerson, May

Dec 5th:

From the Sunday Telegraph: THE talk was of football, momentous matches, heroic deeds and new dreams, rather than financial crises, sponsorship deals and relocation. Graham Turner was a man reborn.

He was liberated to concentrate on his players, organise the coaching and plot the FA Cup demise of Leicester City on Saturday, secure in the knowledge that other matters could, if only temporarily, be put to one side.

Turner, who once managed Aston Villa, then rebuilt Wolverhampton Wanderers, is now all but lost to mainstream football, yet his responsibilities have multiplied. He runs Conference club Hereford United - as chairman, director of football, coach, major shareholder and much more besides.

When Hereford were relegated from the League three seasons ago, Turner felt obliged to stay, to share the blame and shoulder the burden of reviving the club. That commitment became a crusade and he emerged from the boardroom shake-up with full control.

His hands-on approach to fund-raising even embraced an auction. The club gladly accommodated the servicing and parking demands of the Network Q Rally of Great Britain, though Turner had trouble convincing a jobsworth he really did work at Edgar Street and was entitled to penetrate the security cordon.

The car parks will be filled by football folk on Saturday, when Hereford meet the Premiership club in a third-round tie, invoking memories of their fabled victory against Newcastle United, of Radford, of pitch invasions and all, 28 seasons ago.

"It's just what we needed," said Turner, 52. "I'm particularly pleased for the supporters because they've stuck with us through hard times. They've seen us relegated, then have to sell a lot of our better players to survive.

"People are talking about football again, there's excitement and anticipation. The club has a great tradition of cup football. Everyone remembers the Newcastle match but the club were close to beating Manchester United in 1990, and that might have cost Alex Ferguson his job. Four years ago Tottenham scraped a draw here."

This tie is transparently what Turner needed, too. Receipts from a crowd of more than 8,000, and the BBC's fee for Match of the Day highlights will earn the club £60,000. This on top of the £75,000 Sky paid for live coverage of their match against Hartlepool in the previous round.

Hereford are £1.3 million in debt and raised £140,000 last season through the sale of five players.

Turner said: "It means we can pick and choose when we sell and I can enjoy the football side.

"Talking to bank managers and sponsors is the hard part of the job. Coaching, working with the players, is a joy."

He is convinced full-time professional playing staff are imperative if the club are to prosper, but his part-timers have made crucial contributions to the cup run. Leroy May, a 'strippagram' of some repute, and Robin Elmes, a languages and PE teacher, have scored decisive goals, while Mark Jones, a farm manager and brother of the Southampton goalkeeper, Paul, has made important saves.

Turner had to ask Elmes's headmaster to give the striker time off school to practise set plays and acknowledges that his players will need all the preparation they can muster against a team unlikely to consider themselves too precious for this trip beyond League bounds.

"I could have chosen easier Premiership opponents," Turner said. "But Martin O'Neill and players like Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart know what to expect."

TV Update - Hereford will feature on BBC1's Football Focus (Saturday 12.20pm), Match of the Day (BBC1 Saturday 10.30pm) and Channel 5 at 10am on Sunday. Various other shows will preview the game, including ITV's On The Ball on Saturday at 1.10pm. The game by then will have started, and latest results can obtained from Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports 1 from 12pm), and teletext. For latest results on the web, log on to www.football.sports.com or www.bbc.co.uk/football

Leicester lose - Leicester were defeated 3-0 yesterday by Arsenal, putting more pressure on manager Martin O'Neill to get a result on Saturday.

THIS FA CUP weekend promises to be a busy time for the Jones family reports the Independent. Most of the attention will centre on Paul, the Southampton and Wales goalkeeper, when the Saints march up to Ipswich on the Monday. Before that, on the Saturday, the limelight will be on his elder brother Mark, who will be guarding Hereford United's net in their match against Leicester City. Should they both play, the Jones boys will make history, by becoming the first brothers to play in goal in the same round of the FA Cup.

Mark Jones started his football career at 18 when he was enlisted by his local village side, Hadnal. "I didn't like the idea of running around much, so I went in goal," says the 35-year-old, who is three years older than his more illustrious brother. "Paul was in the same team, but he played centre-half. He was already a good keeper, but I took senior priority in those days. He was not going to get me out.

"We've kept an eye on each other's performances since and we ring each other up from time to time," Mark continues. "But when we meet up, we tend to avoid the subject. It's a bit boring, to tell you the truth."

There was plenty of excitement when Mark and his team-mates gathered in a pub just around the corner from Hereford's Edgar Street ground, for the third-round draw. "We would have preferred Newcastle, Arsenal or Liverpool, to be honest," says Jones senior. "But Leicester are a Premiership side, so it's a good tie for us. Ever since the draw was made, the town has been buzzing. All the tickets have been sold now and everyone is really looking forward to the game."

While the Foxes will hardly be shaking in their boots at the prospect of facing a non-League team, they will be acutely aware of Hereford's long history of giant-killing in the Cup. Their most prized scalp remains that of Newcastle United, famously beaten 2-1 in 1972.

According to their manager, however, the Bulls should have savoured more recent joy. "Had there been any justice four years ago in our match against Spurs, we'd have won," says Graham Turner, once of Aston Villa and Wolves. "The game should have been one of the great days in the club's proud Cup tradition."

That match ended 1-1 and, although the Londoners eventually ran out comfortable 5-1 winners in the replay at White Hart Lane, Hereford's reputation as a team for the big occasions was cemented.

So, are Leicester beatable? "Martin O'Neill has got them well organised and they've got a big lad up front... what's his name? Heskey, is it?" asks Jones. "It's going to be difficult but we've got a chance, especially at home. It's only a slim one, but it's a chance."

The previous two rounds provided their own surprises. Progress from the first round was courtesy of a 1-0 win against York, "a real battle" according to Jones. Then came the 1-0 victory over Hartlepool, when a 55th-minute header by their striker Robin Elmes propelled the Conference side into the last 64 of the Cup.

"At the beginning of the season, the gaffer said we wanted to get promotion, and that the FA Cup was just a bonus. But now we're getting really excited about it and we feel confident."

To maximise their team's chances, six fans will carry out the Bulls' FA Cup ritual before the game. They will surround and worship a swede (the root vegetable, not Stefan Schwarz) in the centre circle, before chasing it and kicking it into the Meadow End goal. "Don't ask me why," pleads Jones. "All I know is that it's been around for ages [1958 to be precise] and it's worked so far."

It says much about football these days that a relatively modest club like Hereford should be made up primarily of full-time professionals with just a handful of part-timers.

Jones, a dairy farmer by trade, is one of the three "amateurs" in the team, who at present lie in the top half of the Conference. "I work on the farm every day, and that keeps me relatively fit," he says. "Otherwise, I come in once a week for a training session. The manager has been great about it. His show of confidence helped me settle, and now that I've played in the last 20 games or so, I'm more comfortable with the lads and our style of play."

Who better, then, to guide us through Hereford's herd of black and white bulls than Mark Jones MC? Introducing...

Chris Lane: Scouser, right-back. Typical Liverpudlian, a true character. Released by Everton as a trainee and joined us last season. Still only 19, he's a great prospect but a complete loony. Good lad to have around -bubbly in the dressing-room.

Paul Sturgess: Known as Stavros because of his olive skin. Signed this season from Brighton. Real Cockney lad, who loves to get forward. He's got a sweet left foot. And he's English to boot.

John Snape: One of the part-timers, a Brummie electrician. He's our Paul Ince - a good battler in midfield. Not sure about his skills as a sparky. Last week he couldn't even repair the extension lead for the stereo.

Ian Wright: Big fella. He's our defensive rock; the Tony Adams of the side. He's captain, too. Great in the air, he leads by example. Was our top scorer with 13 goals last season.

Tony James: Wrighty's centre-half partner, TJ's not the tallest of lads, but he's incredibly good in the air. Quietly spoken Welsh lad. He gets a bit of stick about his relations with sheep. Not from me, mind. I'm Welsh too.

Gavin Williams: Another Welsh boy. Great player, the David Beckham of the team. Can play anywhere in midfield or on the wings. He's our best crosser of the ball. Also likes running and dribbling past players.

Paul Parry: One of the club's trainees, he had a bad dose of glandular fever at the start of the season, but he's over that now and he's making telling contributions on the left of midfield. Sets up a lot of the goals. A bit lazy tracking back, though.

Mark Taylor: Bags of experience. Played in the Premiership for Sheffield Wednesday and knows what it's all about. He's not arrogant either. He's come down to a lower level but doesn't bully his way around. His wife went into labour the morning of the Hartlepool match, but she kindly held on until the Monday so Markie could play.

Robin Elmes: Mr Smoothie. German teacher from Sutton Coldfield. He's a tremendous asset. Scored the winning goal in the last round against Hartlepool. Some of the lads tease him by shouting in German, but he just answers them back. They never have a clue what he's saying.

Paul Fewings: Pretty face. He's the good-looking one of the team. Don't tell him, though. Girls always look for him after games. Works well with Robin.

Leroy May: Super sub. Everyone knows about him being a male stripper, don't they. You can imagine the banter. Tall lad up front. This guy's the Full Monty: he can score and tackle too.

Dec 9th:

FA Cup preview - Hereford United can become the first Nationwide Conference club to knock out a Premier League side in this Saturday's FA Cup, kick off 1pm. Woking, Stevenage and Rushden have held Premier League teams to replays, but none has beaten a side from the elite. Graham Turner knows he will face a tough task, but the financial rewards are a godsend.

Team news - Except for the long-term injuries to Steve Piearce and Andrew Quy, Hereford have a full squad to select from. Part-timers Elmes, Jones and Snape are expected to start, and Leicester have no major injuries in their team. Rob Elmes will be marked by Scottish international defender Matthew Elliott.

Pitch invasion may mean bans - A pitch invasion during or after the Leicester City FA Cup match may mean big trouble for the club, and for the fans. A small element of 'fans' against Hartlepool tried to cause trouble, and this could mean a points deduction or fine for the club, or life bans for the fans. There will be a heavy police presence and Graham Turner has pleaded to the fans that there will be no problems.

Leicester to field British side - All of the players on show in the tie on Saturday will be British born. Internationals for Leicester include Northern Ireland's Neil Lennon and Gerry Taggart, England's Steve Guppy and Emile Heskey, Scotland's Matt Elliott and Wales' Robbie Savage. Jamaica's adopted player Frank Sinclair could also play, as will former international's Tony Cottee and Tim Flowers. Former West Ham and QPR midfielders Andrew Impey and former Chelsea player Muzzy izzet will participate in midfield.

Last time - In 1982, United lost 1-0 to Leicester in 1982 FA Cup fourth round, then managed by former Bulls' goalkeeper Jock Wallace. Gary Lineker also starred.

Match of the day - Gary Lineker will introduce the action from Edgar Street, and John Motson will provide full commentary. Hereford will get £18,750 from the BBC and the show starts at 10.30pm on BBC1 on Saturday night. Sky Sports 1 will show highlights at 6pm, and Sky Sports 2 at 11pm.

Capacity attendance - The game is now sold out, and a capacity crowd of 8,843 expected. HUISA's guests are former FA Cup heroes Roger Griffiths and Dudley Tyler. Rembrandt the Bull will feature, as will the swede. Rob Elmes will be supported by fourty fans from Bishop Walsh School in Sutton Coldfied, where he teaches PE and German.

Bookies - United are 7/1 to win. Leicester City are 1/4 and a draw is 4/1. Hereford United are 2500/1 to win the FA Cup.

Brian out, Adriano in - Adriano Girolami has been appointed the new Football in the Community officer at HUFC. He replaces Brian Williams who left for Shrewsbury Town.

Dec 9th:

From the Independent:

The mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent used to transform himself in telephone boxes. Robin Elmes, head of German at a Catholic comprehensive school in Birmingham, does it in penalty boxes.

Elmes, who will lead Hereford United's attack at home to Leicester City in the third round on Saturday, was already a super-hero with the students at Bishop Walsh School after heading the goal which knocked out Hartlepool. When the draw gave the Nationwide Conference club a home tie against a Premiership team studded with internationals, everyone wanted a tug of his cape.

As he arrived at school the next morning, the secretary handed him a note which read: "Central TV 10.20, Midlands BBC 10.45, Sky Sports 11.00." In the staff-room he discovered that tabloids and broadsheets alike made him man of the match against Hartlepool. In class, too, the plaudits flowed, many pupils having watched live television coverage of the match.

He might have been carried away by it all but for one budding Jimmy Hill, who announced bluntly: "The ball went in off yer ear, Sir."

Elmes admits he has scored better goals but none more precious. For hard-up Hereford it has generated a sell-out crowd of 8,800 plus TV revenue and commercial spin-offs. On a personal level it has produced a Jim'll Fix It-style opportunity, at 29, to compare himself with a current England striker, Emile Heskey, and to pit his wits against defenders such as Matt Elliott and Frank Sinclair.

When they were in France at the World Cup finals last year, with Scotland and Jamaica respectively, Elmes was switching between two Dr Martens League clubs, Bromsgrove Rovers and Halesowen Town. He was then a centre-back, as he was throughout his degree course at Keele University, and with his first club, Boldmere St Michael's.

It was not until Christmas that Halesowen tried him up front, where he last played in the sixth form at Poole Grammar School. Although he scored regularly, what impressed Hereford's chairman-manager, Graham Turner, was Elmes' partnership with a forward called Steve Piearce. Turner, who turned Steve Bull from an under-achieving West Brom reserve into Wolves' record marksman, snapped them both up last summer.

"At my age I thought it could be my last chance to play at that level, which is as high as it gets for someone in my job," Elmes says. "Steve went full-time but unfortunately he has been injured most of the time. For me, it's been the best move I've made in football."

Professional players tend to be disdainful of erudite colleagues; an A-Level is often enough to attract monikers like "Brains", "Prof" or worse. Revealing that he is known as "Elmo", Elmes says: "I seem to remember that was the nickname of the fat, balding barman in Brush Strokes, but I like to think it comes from my surname."

Any doubts his new colleagues may have harboured about his pedigree were dispelled when he hit Hereford's winner in a friendly against Wolves on his debut. After missing a week of pre-season training - "In my job I can't pick and choose when I go on holiday" - he eventually came off the bench and had already scored seven goals for the Bulls before Hartlepool's visit.

"I was wary beforehand because we were live on Sky. I kept thinking that if I had an absolute nightmare, or got sent off, I'd be slaughtered on the Monday. I was also very conscious of the need to avoid swearing. As a teacher you have to set standards and practise what you preach.

"When I was playing for Boldmere I got fouled really viciously and the referee did nothing. I swore and was sent off. As I trudged off I saw some kids from school, so I called over, 'Do as I say, not as I do'. On my birthday I received several red cards.

"As it turned out, I was caught on camera spitting on the ground against Hartlepool. My mother-in-law spotted it, which has had me excommunicated from my wife's side of the family."

All will be forgiven, one suspects, before Leicester hit Edgar Street. Quite apart from relatives, the number of Elmes' colleagues with tickets for the tie will far exceed the spaces in the school mini-bus which sufficed in the previous round.

His preparations have not been ideal. With Hereford's only other part-timer, the electrician John Snape, he trains two nights a week with Oldbury United. Most evenings are spent marking (though not the kind to which Elliott will doubtless subject him).

"I try to get it all done at school by six o'clock, but I'm also head of year, so I've a lot of responsibility. Fortunately I don't need much time off because the Conference regionalise midweek games. The head, Mike Moran, is very supportive and I try to reciprocate with extra-curricular things like helping with the football and cricket teams."

Leicester promise to be a searching examination; mocks, finals and an Ofsted inspection rolled into 90 minutes. However, Elmes recalls how his boyhood favourites, Bournemouth, beat Manchester United when they were Cup-holders, and takes heart from the way Stevenage and Rushden & Diamonds held Newcastle and Leeds respectively in recent seasons.

Then there is Hereford's own Cup tradition. Ronnie Radford must wish he was on a royalty for every time his brutal winner against Newcastle is replayed. While Elmes claims he never nets from such range, he likes the idea of popping in a goal that will have people reminiscing 25 years from now.

"We have to have an exceptional day and Leicester a terrible one. I've watched them on Match of the Day and it was frightening. They're all genuine, hard-working British pros with no prima donnas who won't fancy a muddy pitch on a cold winter's day. They've also got pockets of real class but I'm confident it won't be boys against men."

A draw would delight Hereford, not to mention their bank manager. But maybe, just maybe, Sir's ear for goals will spring the last great giant-killing of the century.

Dec 9th:

In When Saturday Comes a few years ago a Bristol City supporter revealed that his most embarrassing moment as a fan had come during a visit by Chelsea to Ashton Gate. In a move which seemed designed to pander to the worst metropolitan stereotype of the West Country the club played The Wurzels on the public address and provided half-time entertainment in the shape of a smock-wearing comedian named Shag with a dancing chicken.

Short of burning a wicker man in the centre circle and announcing that first prize in the raffle was a goat in saucy underwear it is hard to imagine what else could have been done to send the visiting Londoners home with their prejudices more totally reinforced.

Yet, if this was bad, the situation must be a whole lot worse for the urbane Hereford United aficionado. After all, he or she has to contend not only with a bull parade and a bit of traditional painted mangelwurzel dribbling but also with having David Icke as the club's best known ex-player.

The former goalkeeper and Grandstand presenter has always been a little different. During his playing days at Edgar Street he openly confessed to being a keen trainspotter in the match programme. Nowadays I think it is safe to say he is the most unusual of retired sportsmen, not least because, when he says "I am over the moon", one is not sure whether he is speaking metaphorically.

In 1991 Icke announced that much of Britain would soon be engulfed by a massive tidal wave, which was bad news for most of us but a bit of a plus for the pools panel, who had not had much in the way of overtime since the advent of global warming.

In a week which offered such whimsical gems as the allegation that a former Newcastle United player had sold his team-mates' Cup final tickets to a tout for Monopoly money and Roy Keane reacting to his new £50,000-a-week contract by asserting, "I have always put my career ahead of money", it was left to Icke to take time out from his "cosmic mission to save the world from darkness" to provide a welcome burst of good, sound common sense. In Tuesday's Guardian he told Frank Keating: "You can't control a herd of sheep physically if those sheep want to express their uniqueness."

This is entirely true, of course. Indeed, it is one of the reasons why the popular TV show One Man And His Dog was taken off the air. In the past few years the flocks, possibly under the mind-expanding influence of sheep dip, had begun to reject the collie's fervent imprecations to trot swiftly across the field and into the pen in favour of doing a bit of abstract expressionist painting and experimental film-making. It was enriching for the sheep perhaps but it hardly made good television.

The other thing that finished off Phil Drabble and co was the news that one of the recalcitrant ovines was in fact none other than the ace undercover investigator Donal MacIntyre in one of his cunning disguises. The reporter's subsequent documentary revealed the shocking news that away from the bright lights and glitz of the programme the sheep were treated little better than cattle.

In his Guardian interview Icke also revealed that he had always wanted to work with "a little soccer team". Perhaps Hereford should seize the opportunity. By embracing the author of The Biggest Secret on their own terms the club would be empowering themselves in the manner of Madonna with her corsets. Other football clubs have done so successfully in the past, appropriating the substance and language of others' abuse to forge their own strong identities.

Dec 10th:

UNITED unchanged - Hereford United will be unchanged from their 2-1 win over Southport last weekend.

Hereford United Starting XI

Jones

Lane - Wright - James - Sturgess

Parry - Taylor - Snape - Williams

Fewings - Elmes

City facing goalie crisis - Leicester City could rest international stars Gerry Taggart and Steve Guppy, both of whom are not fully fit. Tim Flowers is still out with the flu, and Pegguy Arphexad with an ankle injury. Youth team 'keeper John Hodges could start. New £3,000,000 signing Darren Eadie is cup-tied for the game.

Dec 11th:

LEICESTER held - Hereford United have drawn 0-0 with Leicester City in the FA Cup.

Match of the day - Gary Lineker will introduce the action from Edgar Street, and John Motson will provide full commentary. Hereford will get £18,750 from the BBC and the show starts at 10.30pm on BBC1 on Saturday night. Sky Sports 1 will show highlights at 6pm, and Sky Sports 2 at 11pm.

HEREFORD United 0 - 0 Leicester City

FA Cup Third Round Match

A welcome attendance for Hereford United, and the performance should make many of the fans return. Leicester City were lucky to leave with a draw, and Graham Turner was delighted with a Hereford performance, in which they outshone the Foxes in the second half.

Leicester took control, in the first half, but Hereford returned in the second reformed, playing the match to the Premier League side. Only the woodwork stopped United scoring, against a side with eight internationals in the starting line-up. Paul Parry passed Matthew Elliott, and his shot beat Tim Flowers, but the near post allowed the ball to rebound to safety. Parry played well on the right side, and has already attracted interest from Coventry City and Huddersfield Town.

Hereford's electrician John Snape was awarded Man Of The Match award after a solid display in breaking down the Foxes' midfield. United still have the chance of becoming the first non-league club in the 1990's to beat a side in the top division.

Leicester started well, with Andy Impey's pass was flicked by Cottee to Heskey, who's shot was deflected away by United captain Wright. Hereford weathered the early storm, and Parry and Fewings caused former QPR and West Ham man Impey trouble in the corner. In the seventh minute, Frank Sinclair was brought off for Steve Walsh. No challenge caused the substitution, but Sinclair was limping as he left the pitch.

On ten minutes, Northern Ireland international Gerry Taggart headed over the bar and Izzet's second corner was palmed away by Mark Jones. Elliott also squandered a chance, as his shot was beaten away by Jones.

Hereford's first chance came on twenty minutes, as Rob Elmes passed to Fewings, but Flowers got the better of him, saving well. Leicester were the better side in the first half, but hadn't broken the deadlock.

Snape was booked two minutes into the second half by referee Mike Dean for a foul on Izzet, and from that point, Hereford piled on the pressure. Lane crossed, Elmes met but the attempt was scrambled away. Three corners in five minutes followed, and Steve Walsh was solid at the back to prevent a Hereford goal. Elmes fired in a low shot, and City's defence scrambled the effort away.

Leicester had a couple of breakaways, with Impey's cross dropped by Jones. Luckily the defenders stubbed out any threat. However, United's best chance came on 66 minutes. Snape fed Parry with a low ball down the middle. Parry beat Elliott, and his 10-yard shot hit the woodwork. Five minutes later, a Parry free kick was fired against the City wall.

Heskey should have scored with ten minutes left, but he headed the corner over the bar, after Jones had dropped it. On 82 minutes, Jones kept a Walsh header from crossing the line, and Cottee's chance was well saved by the Welshman.

Attendance = 7,795

Man of the match - John Snape

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

Sub(s) who came on - Rodgerson

Dec 11th

NON-league Hereford United's bonny commitment and often adroit bravado would readily have put out any number of Premiership swankpots with their babel of foreign slickers with no stomach for the unceremoniously folksy traditions of the FA Cup's annual general-excuse-me democracies when the hoi-polloi can play the hoity-toity for a day.

Alas for Hereford on Saturday, Martin O'Neill's Leicester City are not that sort of team. Many of them have battled in - and their way out of - the league's lower divisions. They were versed in the culture of these one-off midwinter dogfights between the haves and have-nots and, though not without alarums, Leicester manfully rode out all the blustery squalls in black-and-white shirts which kept coming at them in gales from the west. But Hereford's invigorating challenge was collectively skilful enough to keep the Premiership side on their mettle for the Filbert Street replay on Wednesday week.

After the overtures of expectation, with a bull on parade and hocus-pocus homage to the swede, here was a terrific Cup tie of vintage, a goalless draw of beef and bone and gristle, heart and sinew. The Hereford players fully deserved to win their cash-strapped club an early Christmas present in the way of a handsome replay cheque.

Hereford are ninth in the Conference, Leicester sixth in the Premiership - a vast gap of 95 places. Said O'Neill: "We might have come and looked around, sniffed the ambush and thought 'this isn't our scene, we've become too big for this, we don't fancy it.' Had we done so for a moment, we'd have got dumped out as sure as eggs."

O'Neill knows the score - not so long ago the boot was on the other foot when, as the manager of non-league Wycombe, he was taking on West Ham and Norwich City. "Even when we were up against it in the second half," he said, "I found myself thoroughly enjoying the contest and the occasion for what it was - a throwback to the good old days."

Having survived no end of swift, quick-thinking attacks, Hereford stirringly raised the siege as the gale and the crowd and a low wintry sun got behind them in the second-half. With their defence now com posed and less fretful, Hereford's hearty and unafraid midfielders even began to secure a grip.

Leicester backpedalled and the 19-year-old former YTS trainee from Chepstow, Paul Parry, almost stole the glory. Having run the legs off Matt Elliott and the rest of the desperate Leicester defence - "Michael Owen against Argentina" comes to Hereford - his fulminating left-foot shot on the run beat the mid-air full stretch of goalkeeper Tim Flowers.

The ball twanged ferociously, wretchedly for drama's sake, against the upright. The woodwork stayed quivering. So did all Hereford with the millimetre closeness of it. So did Leicester. After that a Christmas-week replay was the very best the big-timers could pray for.

Dec 12th:

In Herefordshire, hurricanes hardly ever happen but by golly how fiercely blew the wind in its charming, Christmassy county town yesterday reports the Guardian.

And at the end of the sort of pulsating tie that makes all except Manchester United misty-eyed for the competition, Leicester City of the Premiership were mighty grateful to escape from Edgar to Filbert Street with a replay on Wednesday week against the Nationwide Conference club.

At first the Foxes threatened to run amok in the non-Leaguers' chicken coop, but ultimately the Bulls asserted themselves to such spirited, rampaging effect that they could well have won through - and would have done had Paul Parry's thumping shot hit the inside rather than outside of a post.

'They deserved their replay,' the Leicester manager Martin O'Neill conceded. 'They played very strongly and there was a great atmosphere inside the ground. It was a throwback to the old days.'

Indeed it was, one that would have had the Fast Show 's Ron Manager waxing lyrical about small boys with rattles - yes, there was one in the stand - and giant-killing potential to match Newcastle here in 1972. Unfortunately, the rain had stopped by kick-off and despite some penalty area mud, the pitch was hardly the leveller of Ronnie Radford's era.

Consequently Leicester were able to play their football - or what football they do - early on, creating a glut of good chances, and looking particularly dangerous from a succession of corners. 'They were prepared for us,' said the Hereford manager, Graham Turner. 'Their pace took us by surprise.' In fact, Hereford would no doubt have preferred more fancy dan top-flight opponents rather than ones used to fighting for everything they get.

Emile Heskey had a shot charged down by Hereford's inspirational captain Ian Wright - no, not that one - and Mark Jones, brother of Southampton's Paul, did well to turn aside a low 25-yard drive by Muzzy Izzett. In addition, Paul Sturgess kicked off the line after Jones had parried Tony Cottee's shot on the turn.

Gradually, though, the livewire John Snape - an electrician, of course - and Mark Taylor in midfield got to grips with the task presented by the pugnacious Neil Lennon and Co and fashioned openings of their own. Tim Flowers even had to save one-handed from Paul Fewings after Rob Elmes had flicked on Snape's chip.

Then, with the wind at their backs and the sun in Leicester's eyes, Hereford attacked with passion in the second half, their nerves gone, their respect for the opposition no longer overwhelming them. The flu-ridden Flowers had to save a low shot from Fewings before the moment that Hereford may come to rue in 10 days' time.

Snape again broke up a Leicester move and sent Parry away in the inside left channel. The 19-year-old from Chepstow then glided past Matt Elliott - and Coronation Street 's Fred Elliott might have got closer; I say, Fred Elliott might have got closer - before letting fly from 20 yards, the left-foot shot bouncing to safety from Flowers' right post.

After that, Leicester might have pinched it, Heskey curiously heading over from a few yards and Jones saving Izzett's low header, but they wouldn't have deserved it. In fact, both sides seemed content with a draw, Hereford the more so, as non-League players often are with the chance to perform in a Premiership arena. Who can blame them? Certainly Hereford's board, the club £1.3 million in debt, will be happy enough.


IF Hereford United beat Leicester City in the FA Cup replay (December 22, 7.45pm), they will face travelling to either Arsenal or Blackpool, who play tomorrow night. The 4th round match is Arsenal/Blackpool vs Hereford United/Leicester City.

Dec 13th:

From the Independent:

A STILL darkness had fallen on the scene of an encounter that replenished our faith in the old competition as the team managers relaxed with a glass of Australian red, exchanged pleasantries, and indulged in a little psychological jousting.

"Thanks for the shirts," Graham Turner, chairman, director of football, coach and general factotum of Hereford United said after his players raided the Leicester dressing room for mementoes of a momentous occasion.

"A pleasure," Martin O'Neill replied, relieved that his Premiership side had not paid a heavier price for their uncomfortable second-half ride.

Turner confided that he felt his team's chance had probably gone when 19-year-old Paul Parry scythed through the Leicester defence and hit a post. "I wish you'd told me," said O'Neill, who suffered palpitations to the end.

"Your lads had the right attitude," Turner went on. "We had Spurs here four years ago and they almost laid down. It was only Campbell who kept them in it. Your lads were different."

"Losing to Arsenal last week the way we did was perhaps the worst thing that could have happened from your point of view," O'Neill replied.

"The money from the replay will be useful," Turner said. "That's why we can afford the wine! The tie should be yours now." O'Neill's eyebrows and senses shot up. "Oh yes! Should we settle for a nice 3-2 now?"

But Turner is not about to throw in the towel. O'Neill should negotiate the replay.

Parry's control, pace and impudence demonstrated an unlikely dimension to Hereford's game. Little wonder he is expected to bring in the next significant transfer fee to help offset a debt of pounds 1.3m. The regulation qualities were in evidence, too: the combative, probing midfield influence of John Snape; the unflinching resilience of the back line; the scrambling defiance of the goalkeeper, Mark Jones, brother of Southampton's Paul.

Despite an early bombardment of corners, a goal for Leicester would have been a wretched injustice. Hereford were entitled, at the very least, to dream on.


Dec 14th:

LEICESTER Ticket Info - The replay is on December 22nd 1999, and United have been allocated 3,400 tickets. Prices are : Adults - Lower Tier - £17, Upper Tier - £20, Child/OAP - Lower Tier - £8, Upper Tier - £10 Tickets are available from the Legends Bar on Wednesday 7-9pm, Sunday 11-1pm and Monday 4-9pm. They are also available from the club office Thursday and Friday 9-4pm. An unlimited number can be bought, and all are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Coach travel (15 coaches) costs £8 a person. No discounts. They leave at 4pm, with one possibly leaving from Leominster. Also, buy your scarves and wigs beforehand!

Bulmers the money grabbers - Mike Hughes, the chief executive of HP Bulmer, has been accused of not supporting the local club after signing a sponsorship deal worth £7,000,000 with Leeds United. When asked if he visited the match on Saturday by the Daily Telegraph, he replied "I was abroad." How convenient!

Dec 16th

TWO out for City - Leicester City will be without Steve Guppy and Neil Lennon forn the FA Cup 3rd Round Replay at Filbert Street next Wednesday. Both are to undergo operations.

Scarborough news - United travel to the McCain Stadium on Saturday, and have some doubts. Matt Clarke will try to shake off the flu to participate. Rodgerson, Wall and May could all also play. Colin Addison, now Scarborough boss, has splashed out 50K for Altrincham's Paul Ellender. He has also purchased Gareth Williams from Hull City and former United midfielder Gareth Stoker from Rochdale. All are expected to play.

"Finances Stable" - Turner - Graham Turner has said that money from the FA Cup run has helped to stabilise the finances into next summer. Youngsters do not have to be sold to the first bidder, as United can afford to wait until the right bid is made. This will help to keep promising players including Gavin Williams, Paul Parry, Chris Lane and Tony James. He also commented that a visit to Arsenal would be "perfect incentive" for the players in their match at Leicester.

Dec 17th:

UNITED in the Conference statistics - Leading Scorers : = 6th Paul Fewings (Hereford United). Goalscorers strike rates - Average time taken to score a home League goal : 1st Hereford United 37 mins. Average time taken to score an away League goal : =18th Hereford United 90 minutes. Average time taken to score a League goal : =1st Hereford United 49 minutes. Average time taken to concede a home League goal : 5th Hereford United 58 mins. Average time taken to concede an away League goal : =15th Hereford United 60 mins. Average time taken to concede a League goal : =7th Hereford United 59 mins

Dec 18th:

SCARBOROUGH crush United - Hereford United have been beaten 3-0 by Scarborough in the Conference today. Report from the Halesowen News.

Hereford warmed up for their FA Cup replay at Leicester City in the wrong fashion with this defeat and dropped three places to 12th in the Nationwide Conference.

But they played their part in an entertaining game and had enough chances to take the lead in the first-half, with Leroy May wasting two glorious opportunities.

The match was in doubt until a late pitch inspection, with frost having a firm grip, and United director of football Graham Turner made late changes. Chris Lane, Paul Fewings and Paul Parry all dropped to the substitutes' bench and Mark Taylor was not considered fit enough to play.

May's first opportunity came in the 13th minute when he raced clear of the defence, but his weak effort went straight at Andy Woods in the Scarborough goal.

Scarborough, managed by former Bulls boss Colin Addison, had Chris Tate making his debut following an £80,000 move from Halifax Town and he and fellow striker Steve Brodie caused problems for the United defence.

Mark Jones denied Brodie when he broke at pace into the penalty area and Tate looped a shot onto the top of the bar. Tate then set up the first goal when his header hit the bar and former Hereford man Gareth Stoker volleyed in from just inside the penalty area.

Tony James saw a back-header float just over the bar as Hereford pushed forward and he looked dangerous, especially from set-pieces. Ian Wright brought the best out of Woods from one of these, as he pushed a firm header over the bar, but it was May who was causing most problems. He got the better of Paul Ellender, but Woods came racing from his line to brilliantly block his effort at close range.

After the break, United saw less of the ball and, when Tate turned to send Brodie into the penalty area, Jones was beaten by a fine cross-shot which nestled just inside the post.

This goal signalled a double substitution, with James Wall, who had been impressive in the first half but was fading, replaced by Parry, and Fewings by Rob Elmes. The changes had little effect, although John Snape saw his clever chip shot saved by Woods at full stretch.

Scarborough's third goal came when Brodie's persistence won a loose ball, but his cross rather fortuitously found David Bass, whose left-footed shot beat Jones from the edge of the area.

Hereford: Jones, Clarke, Wright, James, Sturgess, Rodgerson, Snape, Wall (Parry 62 min), Williams, Elmes (Fewings 62 min), May. Subs not used: Lane, Rudall, Shirley.

Referee: H Webb (Rotherham).

Attendance: 1,242.

Dec 21st:

TURNER calls for 3 up - Graham Turner, the United manager, has called for a three up three down system from Division Three to the Conference. This comes after two Conference sides forced replays in the FA Cup third round.

First for 14 years? - If Hereford United beat Leicester City tomorrow, it will be the fist time a Conference side has beaten a side from the top flight since 1986 when Altrincham defeated then First Division side Birmingham City 2-1.

Odds - Hereford United are 16-1 to beat Leicester City, according Ladbrokes. The Foxes are 1-9 favourites, and the draw is quoted at 5-1. Fellow Conference side Rushden are 7-4 to beat First Division strugglers Sheffield United.

Ruddall Promoted - Youth team goalkeeper Lee Ruddall has been promoted to the first team squad. The 17-year old first year YTS player has featured on the bench frequently this season.

Hanson bid? - Craig Hanson, who is transfer listed, is wanted by Nigel Clough's Burton Albion. He has not been able to hold down a first team place this season.

Dec 22nd:

GRAHAM Turner, Hereford United's Director of Football, whose Conference side held Leicester to a 0-0 draw in the first game, said: "It's often stated that you only get one chance when you play a Premier League side. We might get stuffed out of sight in the replay, but the belief in our camp has got to be that we can win it.

"However, we can't overlook the money factor and what we get from Filbert Street will give us much-needed revenue and keep the wolf from the door for that much longer. Last season any offers we had for players had to be accepted because we had to meet the bills. But this Cup run has aided us. If we go get an offer for a player we can now choose when we decide to sell. But what we've got to do is get on a firmer financial footing."

LEICESTER 2 - 1 Hereford United

FA Challenge Cup Third Round Replay Match

Hereford travelled to Filbert Street in good spirit, with Graham Turner quietly confident that his side could cause an upset.

Paul Fewings scored on eleven minutes, but was well off-side. Throughout the first-half, Leicester goalie Pegguy Arphexad was not looking confident, and he was frequently tested. Leicester's first major chance came on twelve minutes, when Izzet drove a shot from twenty-five yards high and wide.

John Snape, playing in the centre of midfield for United, hit a twenty five yard volley just wide of the Leicester post on twenty-two minutes. Hereford had matched City for most of the first part, and they started to take control of the match. United took the game to Leicester, with Wright heading just over. On thirty-five minutes, Steve Walsh headed an Oakes corner just wide of Jones' post, but Fewings took the game to Leicester. Arphexad was left stranded as Fewings headed past him to put the Bulls 1-0 up.

The half time interval brought a substitution, with Steve Walsh being replaced by Andrew Impey. Walsh appeared to have an injury.

Leicester had the best of the play in the second half, with Theo Zagorakis header cleared off the line by Taylor just one minute into it. Soon, after, Cottee headed wide, and on the hour, Martin O'Neill made a substitution. Theo Zagorakis was replaced by Stuart Campbell, and he Foxes continued to push for an equaliser. Cottee wasted chance upon chance in the match, and Wright blocked the first on 65, and another is deflected wide on 67 minutes from twelve yards.

Arnar Gunnlaugsson replaced Fenton for City's third substitution, and Hereford replaced Paul Fewings, the goalscorer, for Ian Rodgerson. Despite the introduction of Rodgerson, Leicester continued to press and with 14 minutes left, Izzet's long range drive was collected by Jones. A minute later, Impey pulled his hamstring and was called off by the physio. City then only had ten players because they had used all of their subs.

It didn't seem to make much of an impact, as City equalised. Savage found Oakes, and his cross met Fenton. Jones dived for the ball, but dropped it for Elliott to knock it home for the equaliser. 1-1. Leicester then pushed for the winner, and with three minutes left Elliott shot wide. Two minutes later, there was a goal-mouth scramble. Campbell found Fenton, who knocked it to Cottee. Somehow, the former Everton striker missed the target from six yards. Five minutes of stoppage time followed, with Williams hitting just wide from 25 yards.

The first period of extra time brought more City pressure, with Taggart heading just over in the first minute. Three minutes later, Leroy May replaced Rob Elmes but Izzet still attacked. His pass found Elliott, but Chris Lane cleared off the line. The goal came on 103 minutes, when Savage fed Cottee. He charged it down, and crossed to find the head of Izzet. The headed bounced through the legs of Jones.

At this point, United vitally needed the equaliser. Both sides continued to attack, but the United team were starting to look weary. The Bulls fans, situated in the south stand upper tier, cheered on the team. Four minutes from the end, Tony James had a good shot, but this was smothered by Arphexad. Then United could have equalised through Gavin Williams. His shot, from 6 yards, produced brilliant save by Arphexad. Leicester then played out time, and the full time whistle was blown by the referee. Hereford United were eliminated, but far from humiliated.

Attendance = 12,157

Man of the match - John Snape

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

Sub(s) who came on - May

"Hereford were fantastic," said Leicester manager Martin O'Neill afterwards.

Dec 23rd:

LEICESTER City 2 Hereford United 1 from the Independent(aet; score at 90 minutes 1-1)

LEICESTER SNATCHED victory, and with it a fourth-round trip to Arsenal, from the jaws of embarrassment in last night's FA Cup third-round replay trailing to Paul Fewings goal for Hereford from late in the first half until Matt Elliott equalised in the 78th minute, the side lying sixth in the Premiership finally squeezed past opponents from half-way down the Nationwide Conference by virtue of Muzzy Izzet's goal 14 minutes into extra time.

To compound the disappointment of Hereford's chairman-manager, Graham Turner, Leicester's winner followed a poorly executed corner by his own team. Robbie Savage pounced on the loose ball, leading a three-on-one counter- attack, before feeding Tony Cottee on the right. His cross was met by a downward header from Izzet, which shot through the legs of Hereford's farmer-goalkeeper Mark Jones.

Jones, who had been indebted to Chris Lane for a goal-line clearance moments earlier, kept Leicester at bay until Elliott stroked his first goal of the season. Before then, Fewings, the former Hull striker, had looked set to join Ronnie Radford in the pantheon of Hereford's Cup heroes - hardly what Leicester can have expected after the resolution of their behind-the-scenes strife.

Leicester were not helped by a lengthy casualty list. Frank Sinclair, Emile Heskey, Steve Guppy, Neil Lennon and Tim Flowers were all injured, while Darren Eadie was cup-tied. Faced with a makeshift side, Hereford opened as if they believed they could make light of a 98-place disparity in League positions.

The non-Leaguers had the ball in the net as early as the 12th minute, but the referee had blown for offside even before Fewings shot. There was a further scare for Leicester following Paul Gilchrist's weak clearing header midway through the first half. John Snape, the Birmingham electrician who is one of only three part-timers in Hereford's squad, volleyed wide as Pegguy Arphexad scrambled across his goal-line.

When Steve Walsh, O'Neill's emergency striker, finally struck Leicester's first shot in earnest after 25 minutes, the ball threatened the executive- box windows more than Jones' goal. Another centre-half, Hereford's Ian Wright, came rather closer to scoring, heading over from Paul Parry's corner.

So Hereford were not flattered by their 40th-minute lead. Parry beat Savage before crossing and Fewings, taking advantage of a deflection which sent the ball looping into the air, beat Arphexad with a back-header by the near post.

The Hereford contingent crowed: "Are you watching, Arsenal?" Leicester's response was to replace Walsh with Andrew Impey and push Arnar Gunnlaugsson up front in a 4-4-2 formation. An overdue sense of urgency invaded their play, and Elliott and Gerry Taggart both had efforts cleared off the line by Mark Taylor and Robin Elmes following Stefan Oakes' 47th-minute corner.

As the pressure intensified, Hereford struggled to escape their own half. Tony Cottee was allowed a free header, which Jones watched drift past the upright, and sent another volley thudding into Taylor's back.

Izzet also embarked on a surge at the heart of the visitors' back line, whereupon Chris Lane halted him with a textbook tackle.

Hereford's centre-backs, Wright and Tony James, bore the brunt of Leicester's siege, which was supplemented by Elliott's height and bulk with barely a third of the second half played. The towering defender's appearance in attack also had the effect, however, of tempting the home side into launching hopeful high balls rather than trying to play their way through a massed rearguard.

Jones' resistance at last ended with 12 minutes remaining when Leicester were down to 10 men after an injury to Impey. Oakes' centre from the left prompted a diving header by Graham Fenton, one of the substitutes, which Jones pushed aside with an outstretched palm. The ball ran kindly for Elliott, who had only to sidefoot it past the prostrate keeper from two yards.

Leicester City (3-4-1-2) Arphexad; Taggart, Elliott, Gilchrist; Savage, Zagorakis (Campbell, 60), Izzet, Oakes; Gunnlaugsson (Fenton, 69); Walsh (Impey, h-t), Cottee. Substitutes not used: Thomas, Hodges (gk).

Hereford United: (4-4-2) Jones; Lane, Wright, James, Sturgess; Williams, Taylor, Snape, Parry; Elmes, Fewings (Rodgerson, 70). Substitutes not used: Wall, Clarke, May, Ruddal (gk).

Referee: M Dean (Eastham)

Dec 23rd:

LEAGUE form must improve - Now the FA Cup run is over, United must start performing in the Conference. Their first port of call will be to do the double over rivals Kidderminster Harriers next week. The first match is at Edgar Street (Bank Holiday Monday 28th - Kick off 1pm) and the second at Aggborough (Bank Holiday Monday 3rd - Kick off 3pm).

Bank discussions - Barclays Bank have sorted out some problems withg Hereford United's overdraft after a meeting with Graham Turner. He said "We have reached an amicable agreement regarding a new level of borrowing."

Dates announced - Hereford's match at Kingstonian has been re-arranged for Wednesday, March 22nd. The game was originally scheduled for December 11th, but United played Leicester City in the FA Cup.

Vacances for coaching course - Anyone between the ages of 7 and 11 can still apply for the coaching course at the club next Tuesday. He can be contacted ob 01432 341065.

Dec 24th:

KIDDERMINSTER have announced their squad for tomorrow's league derby at Edgar Street. Included in the squad is Andrew Brownrigg, who spent a short time on loan to Hereford from Norwich in the mid 90's, who has recovered from a knee operation. Other players in the squad include former Aston Villa defender Phil King who has recovered from a groin strain. Doubts include Pope and Cunnington. Hereford have no new injury worries, with Quy and Piearce still out. A win cold put Kidderminster top, as the match kicks off at 1pm, and they have only lost once in their last nine league games. Hereford require the points to throw themselves back into the title race. They currently lie in 12th place in the Conference.

Dec 27th:

HEREFORD United 1 - 1 Kidderminster Harriers

The first league match between these two sides in the Christmas period was exactly as expected - a hard fought encounter with little between them. Over a thousand Harriers supporters travelled to Edgar Street, and many of them did a spot of bargain-hunting in town before kickoff.

Hereford United lined up with a full strength side after their narrow defeat to Leicester in the FA Cup tie ten days ago. United had slipped to 12th place after their defeat at Scarborough last weekend, and Kidderminster had risen to fourth. A win would have put them top (because of the early kick-off time).

Paul Fewings opened the scoring on six minutes. Tim Clarke dropped the ball at the near post, but Hereford United's star striker was on hand to knock the ball into the back of the net. The former Scunthorpe United goalkeeper didn't have a very good match, with Fewings charging down some of his clearances, one just going wide of the post.

United continued to pressurise the Kidderminster defence throughout the first period. Adie Smith played well snubbing out any decent United attacks, but Kidderminster couldn't get the momentum going. Ian Wright was booked on 26 minutes for a foul, but five minutes previously Tony James was brought off injured after a seemingly unfortunate challenge. He was replaced by James Wall in the centre of defence.

The second half started and Kidderminster came back into the match. Paul fewings was looking increasingly frustrated by the Kidderminster defence and was booked for a foul after just six minutes. He was also spoken to by the referee in the first half to calm down. Two minutes later came another yellow card, this time to Dean Bennett for another foul. Kidderminster, however, were starting to look like the better side. The referee, Mr Tanner from Bristol, awarded a series free kicks and corners as United fought back but Kidderminster broke and were unlucky not to have a shot when Gavin Williams zoomed back to make the challenge. Paul Parry, usually so influential, didn't get into the match as he would have liked, despite being in acres of space at times. He was brought off midway through the half and replaced by veteran Ian Rodgerson.

Kidderminster started to improve in attacking positions with Stewart Hadley and former United attacker Ian Foster linking well. It was Hadley who eventually opened his sides account with a well taken effort twenty minutes from time. Jones palmed away a shot, but it rebounded off the post for Hadley to bury from three yards. United knew that Kidderminster could now go for the winner. The disappointing Foster was removed for Mark Druce, a £10,000 signing from United last year. He was greeted with a hostile atmosphere from the Edgar Street faithful, but didn't get a decent effort to score the winner. Paul Fewings was then awarded a penalty for a bad challenge, much to the anger of the Kidderminster team. After consulting with his assistant, the penalty was give, but Clarke saved with his legs.

Paul Fewings was removed with six minutes to go, as the crowd greeted the substitute with the cry "Le-roy, Le-roy!". Leroy May came on, but couldn't make the required impact. His first touch was right in front of goal, but his overhead kick flew just over Tim Clarke's cross-bar. A fair result, and all eyes will be on Aggborough next Monday for the second leg of this league fixture.

Attendance = 4,437

Man of the match - Adie Smith (Kidderminster)

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

Sub(s) who came on - May, Wall

GRAHAM Turner post match comment: "On the balance of play we had more chances, but we needed a second goal to make the game safe. We didn't play anywhere near as well defensively as we did in our cup game at Leicester and at times we were sloppy on the ball."

Dec 29th:

UNITED in the Conference - Updated Stats - The 4,437 attendance for United vs Kidderminster on Monday is the fourth highest in the Conference this season. Here are the top 4. 5,721 27/12/1999 Rushden and Diamonds v Stevenage Borough 4,706 27/12/1999 Doncaster Rovers v Scarborough 4,490 02/11/1999 Nuneaton Borough v Rushden and Diamonds 4,437 27/12/1999 Hereford United v Kidderminster Harriers

The average league gate of 2,183 for United is sixth highest, beaten by Doncaster, Rushden, Stevenage, Nuneaton and Yeovil. Paul fewings is =5th highest scorer this season with 10 goals. On average, Hereford take 39 minutes (=2nd in the league with Morecambe) to score a league goal, beaten only by one minute by Dover Athletic.

Away from home, United are 19th out of 22 teams, taking 101 minutes to score a league goal. Overall, United are =4th with Kidderminster in the league for scoring goals, taking 52 minutes. Conceding goals at home takes 6o minutes (5th in the league), but away it takes 54 minutes (10th). Overall, United are 6th, and take 57 minutes.

Dec 30th:

TONY James will miss next Monday's derby match against Conference rivals Kidderminster Harriers. After suffering an injury in the last match, he is still recovering from an ankle ligament injury, and will be absent for three weeks. Winger Paul Parry could also miss the vital match after undegoing groin surgery. A long term knee injury to Andrew Quy could be better by the end of January, but Steve Piearce still has inflamed vertebrae in his back. It is not known when he will return to action for the Bulls.

£300,000 lost - If Hereford had beaten Leicester and played Arsenal, they could have earned an extra £300,000 from gate reciepts and live TV coverage by ITV. Graham Turner was 'devastated' when Leicester equalised with ten men, and eventually knocked United out in extra time. Despite the potential loss, the Bulls still made £200,000 from the cup run. The money should keep the books balanced into the summer of 2000.

Dec 30th:

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Jan Molby is expected to keep the same side that drew 1-1 with United last Monday for tomorrow's derby match at Aggborough. Former West Ham midfielder Mike Marsh is out, as well as defender Steve Pope and Andrew Brownrigg, a former United favourite. The Kidderminster side is : Clarke, Clarkson, Stamps, Webb (captain), Smith, Hinton, Bennett, Skovbjerg, Hadley, Petersen, Foster.