March 1996

March 2nd:

HEREFORD 1, Northampton 0 (report from the Sunday Mirror) 

Hereford hero Tony James snatched an injury-time winner - after being drafted into the side at two hours' notice. James, out of action for over a year with a major knee injury, said: "It's awful to be out for so long, but this was like a film script. I'm playing for a contract at the end of the season now." Manager Graham Turner grinned: "I'm delighted for Tony, but these late winners are doing nothing for my heart." Northampton boss Ian Atkins said: "Hereford had a charmed life at times but you have to take your chances." 

March 5th: 

HARTLEPOOL United 0 Hereford United 1 

Dean Smith scored the only goal of the game. Lineup: Chris Mackenzie, Stuart Watkiss, Murray Fishlock, Dean Smith, Nicky Cross, Tony James, Keith Downing, Richard Wilkins, Neil Lyne, Steve White, Darren Evans. 

March 9th: 

SCUNTHROPE 0, Hereford 1 

A Chris Hargreaves goal after 47 minutes was enough to extend Hereford's unbeaten run to seven games. The goal came after a blunder in the Scunthorpe defence involving Andy McFarlane and Ryan Jones, which left debutant goalkeeper Gary Germaine helpless on the ground as his West Brom loan colleague scored the goal. Until then the 19-year-old keeper had been equal to everything Hereford had thrown at him. He looked a star as he pulled off superb saves from Neil Lyne, Murray Fishlock, Tony James and Dean Smith. Hereford had looked a better disciplined side throughout, working very well and showing the form that has seen them beaten only once in their last 12 games. 

March 19th: 

 BURY 2 Hereford United 0 

March 22nd: 

Keeper Andy DuBont has signed for Hereford United from Wolverhampton. After serving his YTS and a period at Molineux, Graham Turner has snapped up De Bont who spent a short loan spell at Edgar Street last season. Tomorrow's game against Darlington has been moved from Edgar Street to Darlington as the Street is flooded. 

March 23rd: 

DARLINGTON 1 Hereford 0 

Keeper Andy Debont almost dealt Darlington's promotion hopes a killer blow. The keeper - making his debut for Hereford - kept the home side at bay for nearly an hour. He was eventually beaten by Painter, who was on the spot to prod in a Bannister cross and maintain his side's push for Division Two. But for the heroics of Debont, who is on loan from Wolves, Darlington could have been at least four up by the interval as they turned on their most forceful attacking form. His first big save came when he got his fingers to a header from Painter, who made perfect contact with a cross from Appleby. Painter had another good chance when he raced on to a dreadful back pass by James, but the keeper dived bravely at his feet to smother the ball. He pulled off an almost identical save just after that when he dived at the feet of the charging Blake. Painter and Blake linked up well in another excellent move, but Pitman nipped in at the last moment to take the ball from them. Bannister and Gaughan also showed their skill and strength as they tried to give Darlington a first-half lead but several of their moves were broken up by James, making an impressive return from injury. Debont made only one first-half mistake, when he sent a poor clearance straight to Painter, but the striker blasted his shot just wide. Hereford put on all three substitutes early in the second half and started to look more promising despite going behind. White and Hargreaves caused some panic in the Darlington defence as they tried to hammer their way through the middle past Crosby and Gregan. But when Darlington got on the move, Debont showed his class with the best save of the match as he beat away a drive from Shaw. In the dying minutes, White had a marvellous chance to earn Hereford a point but put his header over the bar from just a few feet. After the game Graham Turner commented: "We didn't deserved anything." 

March 27th: 

HEREFORD United 1 Lincoln City 0 

March 30th: 

TORQUAY 1 Hereford 1 Ten man Hereford held on for a draw to keep their slim play-off hopes alive and push Torquay closer to dropping out of the league. Hereford opened the scoring after 29 minutes when old stager Steve White scored his 21st goal of the season. Then Richard Hancox got up at the far post to head home a Russell Coughlin freekick to equalise. Hereford went down to ten men just before the interval when Nicky Cross was red-carded after elbowing elbowed Scott Stamps. 

ASTON Villa chairman Doug Ellis has been telling the Sunday Mirror how he sacked managers. "Graham Turner, now with Hereford United, made his name as Shrewsbury's player- manager, and I decided he was worth the step up into the big time. But he was slightly out of his depth, and after a 5-1 beating at Nottingham Forest, I told him good-bye as we both walked round my rose garden in tears."