November 2001

Nov 1st 2001

TONY Capaldi, Birmingham City's young left-back, has rejoined Hereford United on loan for a further two months.

The Northern Irishman has spent two months at Edgar Street already but was suspended for Hereford's FA Cup tie at Dover Athletic on Saturday. However, he could return to the side at Woking this weekend.

Capaldi scored last night in the Birmingham City reserve side as they lost 2-1 at Burnley.

Birmingham caretaker-manager Mick Mills said: "We would rather he went back to the same club where he will feel more comfortable. Even though Hereford are non-league, they are a full-time outfit and it's a good chance for him to gain vital first team experience."

THE HUISA meeting on Saturday, November 10th at 11.30am could help fans to decide the future of Hereford United Football Club.

HUISA Chairman Kevin Wargen wants a big turnout at the meeting that will include chairman Graham Turner and Chelverton Properties director Simon Morgan on the board.

Wargen told the Hereford Times: "I am planning to go into that meeting with an open mind but relocation is probably now the best option for the club's survival. I am bitterly disappointed at having to say that, but the alternatives are fading fast.

"Chelverton appear to have done some homework and they believe it is the best option available for the football club. This meeting is crucial because time is quickly running out, and we all have to move in the same direction."

The current agreement is that the club have to pay back a loan of £1.3 million to Chelverton in May 2003 whilst the lease of the ground remains with the property developers.

Meanwhile, the VP Club Race Night is now to be held on Saturday, November 17th.

HEREFORD United's trip to Woking on Saturday could see the Bulls without two of their main strikers.

Woking are under the new management after losing 3-1 on Monday night in the FA Cup at Newport County. Geoff Chapple has returned to the Kingfield after a spell managing Kingstonian, with ex-boss Colin Lippiatt reverting to his assistant.

Phil Robinson's attack could be without Gavin Williams, who has a back injury after a clash at Dover. He hasn't trained this week and along with Scott Voice, who has a hamstring injury, United could be short up front.

HEREFORD United's live FA Cup screening of their game against Wrexham will see the return of John Motson at Edgar Street.

The veteran BBC commentator made his Match of the Day debut at Edgar Street in 1972 and was greeted by Ronnie Radford's thunderbolt in the remarkable 2-1 FA Cup win over Newcastle United.

The game will raise £100,000 for the club and Hereford director of football Graham Turner said: "We desperately needed this windfall because our financial position has not been too clever. It doesn't take a genius to work out that the size of our gates and the receipts are nowhere near what we need to break even.

"Not many clubs have actually played live on the BBC and it's a tremendous chance for our players. And, with our cup tradition, I think we have every chance of achieving an upset. Over the past few years, the players have responded well in front of the television cameras with wins over Burton Albion, Hartlepool, Barnet and a draw against Leicester City."

Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson said: "I have only been in charge for six games and to have won through to the FA Cup first round and to pit my wits against a League club and an experienced manager in Denis Smith is a very exciting prospect. Wrexham have some experienced players, most notably Darren Ferguson, and it will be an interesting tie. If we can play to the very best of our ability and work as hard as we have been doing, we will be in with a chance."

Wrexham are managed by Dennis Smith after Bryan Flynn quit earlier this season. "The match has everything you could want in an FA Cup tie - two teams with a great pedigree in the competition and plenty of big name scalps between them," he said. "It's going to be a very difficult tie for us. We know that Hereford are the underdogs with little to lose, so were are going to have to tread very carefully."

The celebrity game due to take place on November 18th will be rescheduled but not cancelled.

Nov 2nd:

AN all-star BBC line-up will present the FA Cup tie at Edgar Street between Hereford United and Wrexham, which is due to be screened live according to the Official Website.

Gary Lineker will anchor the production with Scot Alan Hansen summarising, and commentary is provided by John Motson and Trevor Brooking. A temporary 'studio' will be erected at the Blackfriars End.

United plan to auction the match shirts and they will be signed by the Bulls players straight after the match.

Meanwhile, the celebrity game which was postponed for the upcoming Wrexham FA Cup tie on Sunday, November 18th, has been rescheduled.

The game will now take place on the following Sunday, November 25th. A combined team of stars from Channel 4 soaps Brookside and Hollyoaks will take on a Wyvern FM side at Edgar Street.

HEREFORD United could be without Gavin Williams for tomorrow's match at the Kingfield Stadium, Woking, kick off 3pm.

The Bulls could push up to sixth place if results go their way but Woking have a new management team installed for the game.

Manager Phil Robinson told the Evening News: "The lads are still on a high from the FA Cup win but it's back down to earth on Saturday and the next two league games are very important to us and I hope we can continue to produce the same performances as we have recently."

"A couple of wins might see us into the top half of the table but I haven't set any targets. From when I took over it was just a case of trying to improve the way we were playing both individually and collectively. But if we keep performing to the best of our abilities each game then eventually you might find yourself in the top half of the table."

Woking are six from bottom of the Conference but the return of Geoff Chapple as manager with Colin Lippiatt reverting to assistant could cause United problems. When a new management team was brought in at Chester City, United crashed 1-0.

"They've been one of the season's big spenders attracting the better players like Patmore from Rushden and I think they are probably in a false league position," said Robinson. "It might be a similar case to Chester who had a new manager and played out of their skins and I'm sure Geoff Chapple arriving will give them a boost but if perform as we have been then we are in with a chance."

Hereford should welcome back Daniel Davidson and John Shirley as both are fit after injury. "He did very well and will be in contention for a place," said Robinson of Shirley after his ten minute appearance last Saturday.

Woking will be without three players as their new management team come in. Midfielder Paul Steele and defender Rob Hollingdale are ruled out with knee injuries and midfielder Barry Moore is serving a one-match suspension.

Head coach Colin Lippiatt said: "We've got an opportunity in front of our home supporters to take on a hard-working Hereford side, who have a great physical presence. We are in a position where we are only six points away from a mid-table place. We just need to find some consistency."

Hereford (from): Baker, M. Williams, Wright, T.James, Clarke, Goodwin, Snape, Voice, Shirley, Elmes, G. Williams, Parry, K. James, Davidson, Quiggin, Capaldi.

UNITED defender Kristian James is set to leave the club next week as his three month contract expires.

The official site (www.herefordunited.co.uk) has revealed the news that the ex-Swansea City youngster is to leave as he has not been offered a new contract.

There is enough cover in the left-back position filled at times by Kristian with Scott Goodwin, Tony James and on-loan Tony Capaldi able to play there.

Nov 3rd:

WOKING 1 - 0 Hereford United

Hereford United came back from a trip to Woking in the Nationwide Conference with what they deserved - nothing.

The defeat was Hereford's third in succession against the Surrey side and their second consecutive away league loss. Woking, though, were boosted by the return of Geoff Chapple as manager and perhaps Hereford minds were elsewhere - there is an important FA Cup game coming up - and complacency could have crept in after two successive victories.

Bulls boss Phil Robinson made one change to the team that won in the FA Cup at Dover. Tony Capaldi returned for another loan spell this week and replaced Kristian James at left back, whilst Gavin Williams shook off a back strain to start in attack alongside Rob Elmes. Woking named ex-Hereford man Jamie Pitman in defence whilst Warren Patmore, the prolific striker formerly of Rushen & Diamonds and Yeovil Town, was named in attack.

A sense of deja-vu occured as Hereford came out onto the field donning Woking's training shirts for the second season running! As both their red away shirts and white home tops clash with Woking's red and white halved-shirts, United wore a blue colour, slightly darker than the Manchester City home shirt.

The first half was a strange affair with both sides creating plenty of chances but failing to execute many of them with sufficient power or precision. An early long range effort from Nick Roddis missed the target and Matt Baker was dominant on another occasion clutching a long cross from the Woking left wing.

Hereford's first testing chance came after fifteen minutes when Paul Parry found John Snape, and then the livewire midfielder crossed for Jimmy Quiggin to volley first time goalwards. However, Woking 'keeper Tony Tucker made a superb save of a shot destined for the back of the net.

Matt Clarke was cautioned after nineteen minutes for a rash challenge and the result is that after accumilating so many cards, he will be suspended for the visit of Wrexham in the FA Cup at Edgar Street. Clarke will be sorely missed and also out is Scott Goodwin after he also picked up a yellow card. There were also bookings for Hereford's Paul Parry and Woking's Nick Roddis, Steve Smith and Jamie Pitman as the game progressed. Parry and Pitman were both cautioned after an incident on fifty five minutes.

Scott Steele provided a couple of worrying free kicks into the Hereford box but nobody was on hand to make them into real chances, whilst at the other end Gavin Williams chipped the goalkeeper before Tucker plucked the effort from the air. Warren Patmore also hit over for Woking after twenty six minutes.

Paul Parry's contribution on the right wing was extremely impressive as was that of Tony Capaldi who did well coming forward from defence. Parry provided a cross for Rob Elmes to knock on and Williams hit a first time volley at Tucker when it looked easier to score!

The first half finished goalless but it seemed almost inevitable that the deadlock was to be broken. Five minutes into the second period, John Snape hit a low drive from the edge of the box at Tucker and soon after, Gavin Williams provided a good ball to Elmes after a mistake by Scott Smith, but the German teacher failed to connect sufficiently.

Woking will have felt hard done by twenty minutes into the second half when Scott Steele was brought down by Ian Wright in the penalty area. The officials, who less than impressed the crowd of 2,107 including the Mayor and Mayoress of Woking and BBC TV's John Motson, failed to spot the offence and allowed play to continue.

Seven minutes later, Steele went close to giving his side the lead when a free kick from twenty five yards out slightly to the left hand side was struck over the wall and onto the inside of the post. It then rebounded away to safety but the warning signs were there for Hereford to see.

However, they failed to take them seriously enough. With nine minutes left, Woking inevitably took the lead as Jamie Pitman hit a superb pass to the Scottish winger Scott Steele who knocked home from ten yards out. Woking had the lead they so richly deserved.

There can be no excuses for Hereford United; they were simply having an off day. The referee and his assistants were pretty dire as well, firstly by the fourth official being told how many minutes to add on at the end of the first period and then at the end of the seconds, somewhere finding six extra minutes to add!

In those six minutes though, Hereford had chances to grab an equaliser. Firstly, an Ian Wright header was tipped onto the crossbar from a Gavin Williams corner and then a minute or so later, substitute John Shirley knocked an overhead effort high above Tony Tucker's goal.

A disappointing day for Hereford United - let's hope that they will have sorted it out by next Saturday. Doncaster Rovers are the upcoming visitors to Edgar Street and a performance like the one seen today will be punished.

Hereford United: Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, Tony Capaldi,
Jimmy Quiggin (off, 89 minutes), Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Scott Goodwin, John Snape (off, 90 minutes), Rob Elmes (off, 69 minutes), Gavin Williams, Paul Parry
Subs: Steve Piearce (on, 89 minutes), Lee Evans, Mark Williams, John Shirley (on, 90 minutes), Danny Davidson (on, 69 minutes)
Yellow cards: Matt Clarke (19 minutes, foul), Paul Parry (55 minutes, foul), Scott Goodwin (70 minutes, foul)
Attendance: 2,107
Man of the Match: Tony Capaldi
Referee: Mr. M. Russell (St. Albans)

Nov 4th:

HEREFORD United were the opponents as Geoff Chapple returned as manager of Woking, and the Bulls were his first victims as the Cards won 1-0 at the Kingfield Stadium.

Chapple and ex-boss Colin Lippiatt have formed the new management side who hope to lead Woking to the Football League.

"I've had a great reception from the fans and seen enough on the field to suggest we are on the right lines," said Chapple to the Non-League Paper after yesterday's game. "Overall it was great to be back and we had eleven terriers in the team. But this is just the start and we need to learn, because without our goalkeeper Tony Tucker we would have lost the game."

Assistant manager Colin Lippiatt told the official Woking site (www.wokingfc.co.uk): "Both Geoff and myself are highly delighted with the home win, we have kept a clean sheet against a very hard side to break down. We were good at going forward and quite creative, I though Scott Steele came back and had an outstanding game. We would like to say what a good game Nick Roddis and Dean Chandler had."

The result means Hereford (40/1 for relegation to Surrey Sports) drop to thirteenth in the league whilst Woking (4/1 for the drop) stay seventeenth, but are just two points behind United.

JIMMY Quiggin is excited about his chance to play live on BBC's Match Of The Day when Hereford United take on Wrexham in two weeks time.

At the start of last season, Quiggin was playing for Boldmere St. Michaels in the Midland Alliance alongside the likes of Oadby Town and Stourbridge but a move to Hereford last Autumn gave him his big break.

"We've been on Sky but the idea of actually being on Match of the Day hasn't really sunk in yet but everybody's looking forward to it and hopefully we can put on a good display," he told the Evening News.

Hereford fought off competition from Hednesford Town and Nuneaton Borough last year and Quiggin, now twenty two, is eager to continue his impressive strike rate notched up at Boldmere. He was signed as a striker but has been playing on the left wing behind Gavin Williams.

"I thought I would struggle in that position because I am not naturally left footed but you can cut in and I'm actually enjoying it out there," he said. "I would like to play up front but with Gavin Williams it is difficult although I would like to think I had the confidence to play up front."

After injuries affected the start of his season, Quiggin is looking to pursue a full-time career outside of playing after gaining a sports science degree at Coventry University. However, if the chance arose, Quiggin would grab the chance of a professional football career with two hands.

IAN Wright felt that before defeat at Woking yesterday, his side had done enough to earn Phil Robinson the managerial hotseat permanently at Edgar Street.

At the time of Graham Turner's departure, Wright said that the players were, in part, responsible for his decline. "We all felt partly to blame for Graham going and it was up to us to turn things around which I think we have," he told the Sports Argus.

Prior to yesterday's game, Robinson's side had won three (including an FA Cup match at Dover), and lost two - at Chester and against Boston. "We have had a couple of defeats but they both involved dubious sending offs and we could have got something from both games," commented Wright.

Nov 5th:

CALLS have yet again been raised that football legend John Charles should receive a knighthood.

The Welsh wizard, who gained 38 caps for his country and also had hugely successful spells at Leeds United, Juventus and Cardiff City, was player/boss of Hereford United in the late 1960s.

An article in today's Daily Telegraph by Robert Philip, Charles, 70 on December 27th, was commended for his record particularly in Italy where he became one of the few Brits to make a great impact.

At Edgar Street, Charles provided some memorable moments on the pitch and built a formidable team off it which under Colin Addison beat Newcastle in the FA Cup and gained promotion to the league.

Now, Charles is suffering from the early signs of Alzeimer's and Philip now feels that it is only right that he is knighted to join other greats including Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Stanley Matthews.

Meanwhile, Hereford player-coach Phil Robinson told the Evening News after the 1-0 defeat at Woking: "To have played so well away from home and come away with nothing is very disappointing. Their goalkeeper pulled off some unbelievable saves."

Nov 6th:

HEREFORD United's reserve game against Boston United due to be played tomorrow night has been called off according to BBC Hereford & Worcester.

The game was due to be played at Edgar Street despite officially being an away game as all Boston United matches are played away.

Nov 7th:

HEREFORD United's on-loan defender Tony Capaldi has been named in the Northern Ireland XI squad that will play at Macclesfield Town next Tuesday, 13th November.

Capaldi has been on-loan at Edgar Street from First Division Birmingham City since August and has progressed well in the left back position.

The game is being played as a tribute to Sammy McIlroy and kick off the the match at the Moss Rose Ground is at 7.45pm.

THE club have said that all shirts worn in the game against Wrexham will be signed after the match and sold.

All bids for shirts, which will include the player's name and number, may be made as from today.

Bids are invited for either a shirt number or an individual players shirt (for example, £50 for Number 10 or £50 for Gavin Williams' shirt). Bids will be taken up to 12:00 noon on Monday 19th November (the day after the game).

Bids will be permitted by post or telephone (01432 276666)

Meanwhile, the youth team's match in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup which was due to be played on Monday will now be played on Thursday evening. Hereford United's youth games take place at Pelsall Villa's ground in Staffordshire.

Nov 8th:

HEREFORD United take on Doncaster Rovers on Saturday in search of their first league victory since beating Scarborough 6-0 at Edgar Street, kick off 3pm.

The game will be a big test for United who face opponents that are eighth in the league. However, today Doncaster Rovers' chairman John Ryan stepped down at Belle Vue.

United boss Phil Robinson said that there is plenty of competition for places at the moment. He told the Hereford Times: "It is natural that players want to play in big games against a league team and on television. And the players picked to play against Doncaster on Saturday will be keen to put in a good performance in order to stay in the team for the Wrexham match.

"If somebody plays well in the reserves, for instance, and can improve the first team, then they will be given a chance. No doubt the players are thinking about the cup game, although I have made an effort not to speak to them about it.

"I have got to get the players focused for Saturday because it's just as important that we put on a good performance against Doncaster, who are a strong and organised team."

"Doncaster were one of the fancied teams at the start of the season and have good players, such as Justin Jackson, Mark Sale and Paul Barnes. We have had them watched and will be working on ways to try to break them down and exploit their weaker areas."

Robinson, as a player, hopes to be back in action soon after a wrist injury meant he has yet to play this season.

Meanwhile, Herefordshire Council Leader Terry James has reaffirmed his view that Hereford United's best prospects are to stay at Edgar Street ahead of Saturday's meeting in Legends. Property developers Chelverton and club directors will be among those at the meeting which has been called by Hereford United Independent Supporters' Association for 11.30 am.

Nov 9th:

HEREFORD United boss Phil Robinson has told his players to perform or be dropped for the FA Cup game in tomorrow's home clash against Doncaster Rovers at Edgar Street, kick off 3pm.

After losing at Woking last week, United will be eager to bounce back and the added incentive of a place in a TV team should boost the players. A week on Sunday, Hereford's FA Cup first round clash against Wrexham will be televised on BBC1.

"It is my job to make sure that the players concentrate on the next match coming up," said Robinson to the Evening News. "Players know if they don't perform well enough against Doncaster that with everybody coming back to fitness there may be changes for the next match and whether that is the league or FA Cup is immaterial."

Doncaster Rovers will provide tough opposition and were tipped for the top this season. Chairman John Ryan quit Belle Vue yesterday but Robinson continued: "This year they have brought a number of attacking players notably Justin Jackson from Rushden & Diamonds to add to their strength and organisational abilities."

Last week, United lost at Woking and Robinson is eager to put things right in attack. "Woking had one shot on target all game and that flew into the bottom corner," he said. "We took the game to them and had several goalscoring opportunities but their 'keeper had a very good game and it was very disappointing for myself and players to come away with nothing. It was a very frustrating afternoon."

Despite failing to hit the target, United are creating plenty of chances and goals are coming from right throughout the team. "The pleasing thing is that goals are starting to come from all areas of the pitch," he said. "If you look at the Scarbourgh game we had six different goalscorers on the scoresheet."

Opponents Doncaster Rovers are fourteen points behind the leaders, Dagenham & Redbridge, and haven't won in their last four league games. Manager Steve Wignall told the Doncaster Free Press: "When you are the manager you have to take the flak when things go wrong and the fans have a right to grumble because they have been very supportive all season. But the players also have to look at themselves. I have shielded them in the past but they have to stand up and be counted themselves.

"The problem here is the level of expectation and whether some players can handle that. That's been the case for the last three or four years and I will be looking closely at players over the next few weeks to see whether they are up to the task at this club."

Hereford should name on-loan Tony Capaldi at left back with Scott Voice, attack, the only doubt. Phil Robinson and Scott Cooksey are still absent. Rovers could see captain Gareth Owen back after 'flu, but Steve Marples is a doubt with a hip injury.

Hereford (from): Baker, M. Williams, Wright, T. James, Clarke, Goodwin, Snape, Shirley, Voice, Elmes, G. Williams, Parry, Davidson, Quiggin, Piearce, Capaldi, Gardiner, Evans.

HUISA chairman Kevin Wargen has spoken to BBC Hereford & Worcester this evening about the meeting in Legends Bar tomorrow, which starts at 11.30am.

The supporters meeting will be chaired by Wargen and the panel will include Simon Morgan from Chelverton, alongside director George Hyde and chairman Graham Turner.

"We've called the meeting because if supporters wish to go along the route of relocation, we want to see what they feel about whether to go with the Chelverton idea or whether to back the Terry James idea which is to stay where we are," said Wargen. "It's open to anybody that's got any interest in Hereford United. HUISA have called the meeting and I'd ask people, if you've only been to Edgar Street once in your life, come along and listen because I think it's going to be very interesting.

On the subject of relocation, he said: "I think most supporters would say they aren't too worried about staying at Edgar Street or moving away provided that there is money available at the end of the day for us to build a team and get back to the Football League.

Moves need to be made now regarding the future of the club. Wargen continued: "People think the year 2003 is miles away and there's no need to think about it but if it was tomorrow, people would be panicking, but we have to start talking about it now and see where we're going within the next two or three months; if it's staying where we are we have to find out exactly what the council's proposals are and what we can do to build off the field facilities for us to maintain our existance. If relocation is the option, we have to find a piece of land and do whatever we've got to do. This meeting is very important.

Relocation of the club is one option being discussed and Wargen said that some sites have been suggested. "There have been one or two sites that have been mentioned but I'm not sure that their are firmed up and I don't think it's right for me to mention them," he told the BBC. "Obviously, the council and Chelverton need to tell people what those sites are and whether they're feasible. I've heard mention of several sites and to me, they don't even come into consideration. Let's wait and see."

Nov 10th:

PHIL Robinson could make a return to the Hereford United squad for today's match against Doncaster Rovers at Edgar Street, kick off 3pm.

The veteran midfielder who is also manager of the team is expected to name himself on the bench as he aims to come back after a long lay-off with a wrist injury.

Meanwhile, the Legends development meeting is scheduled to start at 11.30am. HUISA chairman Kevin Wargen urges everyone to be present so they can make up their own minds regarding whether to stay or go from Edgar Street.

HEREFORD United 0 - 0 Doncaster Rovers

The Bulls welcomed Doncaster Rovers to Edgar Street for the first meeting of the sides this season, on a chilly day in Hereford. There were two surprises for Whites fans as Daniel Davidson was given a start and player-manager Phil Robinson put himself onto the bench. Doncaster included big money signing Justin Jackson and also Gareth Owen, who turned down a move to Edgar Street in the summer from Wrexham.

The opening thirty minutes of the game were very scrappy and not much play as the referee kept blowing up for free kicks, he also booked three players in this time. Owen for Doncaster was first into the book, then Snape and Wright followed for Hereford. Both sides made two half chances each, Francis Tierney shot wide from 30 yards. This was followed by Parry heading wide a Capaldi cross, and Quiggin putting a diving header over the bar after a great four man move on the right wing. Dean Barrick shot wide again from thirty yards, and Goodwin was next to go into the book.

The half livened up in the thirty-eighth minute when yet another long range effort, this time from forty yards. It had to be tipped over by a smart Matt Baker move in the Hereford goal. Hereford got the ball up the other end from the corner and won one themselves that Daniel Davidson header against the bar. This was soon followed by a Quiggin shot that went wide and a Gavin Williams solo effort which in the end he hit straight at the keeper. In extra time at the end of the half Gavin Williams was booked, and Jackson lost his nerve in front of goal allowing Hereford players to get back to tackle him.

The second half started better than the first did with Ian Wright heading over a corner and Matt Clarke putting in a dangerous cross in front of the Doncaster goal, but no Hereford players were on hand to fire home. After this came the Jackson art of finishing, or lack of it, as he first failed to beat Matt Baker after a slip by the Hereford keeper! Baker did well to recover and tip his shot away, then Jackson shot wide of Hereford’s goal and Baker was on hand again to save a one on one with Jackson. In the middle of the Jackson art of finishing school, Goodwin was sent off for his second bookable offence, and the appearance on Phil Robinson on the pitch for the first time this season.

As Hereford were reduced to ten men, Doncaster dominated the last twenty minutes of the match with Hereford’s best efforts to get forward through Paul Parry. Doncaster's Paul Barnes showed Jackson how to finish by heading towards goal only to see Matt Clarke to be on the line to get it away. As with the Boston game Baker came running out to the edge of the area to punch clear a set piece and miss it, but this time lucky for Hereford the ball went wide. Enter Mr. Jackson again, one on one with Baker and he decides to shoot from the edge of the area. The ball went wide!

This was a well fought game, but the amount of bookings that were given was, quite frankly, stupid. The referee started yellow carding in the fourth minute as he set his standard but a better way might have been to let a few offences go and just have a word with the player who was in the wrong. It may have not been a great game, but it was important to get something out of it for confidence and to help the league position. Bring on the Wrexham!



Tim's ratings

Matt Baker - 9 - Kept Hereford in the game along with Jackson’s Art of Finishing!
Matt Clarke - 8 - Looked back to his best, good runs going forward and excellent tackling at the back.
Tony Capaldi - 8 - Getting better with every performance, you can see why he is in the Northern Ireland squad to play Macclesfield.
Tony James - 8 - Yet another faultless performance, his usual.
Ian Wright - 9 - Brilliant, a total rock at the back and when HUFC went down to 10 men showed his fellow players to battle for all their worth.
Jimmy Quiggin - 8 - The usual never say die attitude he always plays with.
John Snape - 7 - Battled hard, but kept trying to be a little too fancy with his passing.
Scott Goodwin - 6 - Frustrating afternoon for him, never really got the ball and then got sent off.
Gavin Williams - 6 - Not his sort of game, DRFC’s big defenders made sure he had no effect on the match besides one solo run
Paul Parry - 7 - Didn’t seem to be that involved as in previous games, should of done better with a run at the death.
Danny Davidson - 7 - Like Williams well marked, but he did show some bright points and was unlucky with the header that hit the cross bar.
Phil Robinson - 7 - Showed what he will bring to the United side when he makes his come back, nice simple but effective passing.
Scott Voice - 6 - Hard to do anything in 5 minutes but he did take the pressure off the defence by holding the ball up.

Hereford United: Matt Baker Matt Clarke Tony Capaldi Jimmy Quiggin (off, 72 minutes) Ian Wright (captain) Scott Goodwin Tony James John Snape Danny Davidson (off, 86 minutes) Gavin Willaims Paul Parry
Subs: Scott Voice (on, 86 minutes), Lee Evans, John Shirley, Rob Elmes, Phil Robinson (on, 72 minutes)
Yellow cards:John Snape (9 minutes, foul) Ian Wright (11 minutes, foul) Scott Goodwin (34 minutes, foul) Gavin Williams (45 minutes, foul)
Red cards:Scott Goodwin (67 minutes, second bookable offence)
Man of the Match: Ian Wright
Attendance: 1,711
Referee: Mr. S. Tanner (Bristol)

TODAY's meeting in Legends, which was very well attended, threw up plenty of points but little in the way of progress as supporters agreed to keep an open mind on the situation.

The meeting was well conducted by Kevin Wargen, the HUISA chairman, and the panel consisted of Bulls chairman Graham Turner, director George Hyde and Chelverton's Simon Morgan.

Events began with Simon Morgan outlining how Hereford United got into their current situation and where Chelverton fit into the equation. He asked supporters to agree with him, in principle, for a relocation of the club and that was the basis of the meeting.

Chelverton recently took over the BS Group's holding in the Edgar Street development at a rate 'above book value'. The result is that now there are just three major parties - Herefordshire Council, Chelverton and Hereford United.

There was a lack of solid proposals from Mr. Morgan, but plenty of ifs and buts. Chelverton wanted the support of the supporters and it appeared that there were two sides to the argument. Chelverton wants relocation, the council wants Hereford United to stay in Edgar Street. Council leader Terry James declined an invitation to attend the meeting because he didn't want to be involved in an inevitable slanging match. Instead, James met HUISA on Thursday night to put his point across which Kevin Wargen outlined later.

Simon Morgan said in his plea for support that there was no commitment for any scheme which may arise from it, but he wanted to have the supporters behind him when he meets council chief executive Neil Pringle next week.

The club may, in the future, require further finance and Chelverton would be reluctant to give it. Morgan said that even the bank wouldn't extend the club's overdraft and that it was only down to them and the BS Group that it was still in operation. The club are paying no rent on the ground (it is being paid by Chelverton) and their off-field income is basically nil. This is a situation that must be addressed in the future.

The Chelverton plan is a development including the cattle market, the football ground, Baylis garage and other buildings. Morgan claimed that a supermarket could raise several million pounds if it moved there, but Terry James has already questioned that idea.

Morgan failed to name any possible redevelopment locations for the club in the future and went as far as saying that if someone offered Chelverton their money in Hereford United, they may return the leases and leave. The frustration must have got to the BS Group and they left, and it now appears that Chelverton wished they had done the same!

Progress needs to be made now if Hereford United are to continue after May 2003 and Morgan claimed that the relocation is the only way that the club will continue. His initial aim is to bring the Herefordshire Council round to his way of thinking. However, if the club does not follow his plan, he said that it will fail before or in May 2003.

It appears that all Hereford United directors have to support proposals from Chelverton and George Hyde said that whilst he would rather remain at Edgar Street, he could see that the way forward for the Bulls was to move away into modernised facilities. Graham Turner supported Hyde's view.

There followed a period of questioning to Simon Morgan where queries were asked about whether the finances stacked up and whether the Chelverton plan was the only option. One particular point that arose was on the so-called 'Jackson' bequest, which originally allowed the council to purchase the Edgar Street site (for sporting purposes along with several others in the 1920s) and one person asked could the land use be changed. Terry James has already said that the clause could mean it should stay at Edgar Street, whilst Simon Morgan felt that it could be applied to another site.

There was discussion about whether a supermarket would locate in Edgar Street. One point was that as a new Asda was likely to be sited in Belmont, there was little reason why the council would want another supermarket. The council want to keep the centre of the city alive so would not want Tesco to move from their existing site, except maybe onto the cattle market.

After further discussion, chairman Kevin Wargen, who had remained impartial throughout, asked the panel to leave whilst supporters discussed the issue further. In the main, the points above were discussed again.

Wargen told the audience that he (and HUISA) didn't want supporters to give Simon Morgan a mandate at this stage as Chelverton had not come up with firm enough proposals. He said: "HUISA are totally at odds with the board of directors over this issue. We do not believe for one minute that we should give Simon Morgan the licence from the supporters to go to Neil Pringle next week (he has already made an appointment) and say he has the support of the supporters. He has given you nothing this morning and I fully accept that Terry James hasn't given us anything either and we, this week, have burned the candles at both ends.

"I don't believe that you should give Simon Morgan the mandate this morning to go to Neil Pringle and say the supporters are backing him," he continued.

In a show of hands, an overwhelming majority of the audience agreed with Wargen and Simon Morgan will be invited back in a month or so time so he can present more detailed proposals, in particular, the financial implications of his scheme.

FOLLOWING today's return of Phil Robinson, just two players are left on the injury list after a difficult start to the season for Hereford United.

Player/coach Phil Robinson told the Evening News before today's game: "I'm getting closer to a comeback but obviously when you have been out for a long time you are liable to get a couple of niggles but I'm hoping to get some competitive action. At the moment it is only Ian and myself with injury doubts so we are certainly getting people back fit and the squad is the biggest we had this season."

Scott Voice missed the Woking game last week with injury but returned as a late substitute today. His season has been disrupted by injuries and Voice has had a difficult spell since turning full-time after a move from Bilston Town in the summer.

"Sometimes you find when players all of a sudden become full time that it takes time for the body to adjust to the rigours of training every day and this might be the case with Scott but we are certainly looking after him," said Robinson. "What Scott needs now is to maintain his fitness and play some games. It is a big leap stepping up two divisions and the Conference is very strong at the moment and there has been a lot of money spent by a lot of teams. He's moved up and is facing good teams and defenders and it is tough but he's done well and hopefully he can manage to shake off these little niggles he's had and get among the goals."

TODAY's referee, Steve Tanner of Bristol, made some awful decisions which drew both the manager of Hereford United and Doncaster Rovers to comment.

Doncaster boss Steve Wignall said: "The players just don't know where they are with officials today. It was just a competitive game which we could have won comfortably."

Phil Robinson, who's side had Scott Goodwin send off, said: "We knew Doncaster were a fit and organised side and that it would be a hard fought game. I thought we worked really hard to hold on for a draw when we were down to ten men although Doncaster looked likely to score in that period."

Nov 11th:

HEREFORD United's Matt Gardiner has left the club to link up with Dr. Martens League Premier Division strugglers Hednesford Town.

Gardiner, who returned to United earlier in the season on non-contract forms after short spells with Worcester City and Evesham United, was increasingly frustated by his lack of first team opportunities. He played just one match for the Bulls this season.

Hednesford, managed by ex-Cardiff City boss Kenny Hibbitt, snapped up Gardiner to boost a faultering defence. He made his debut in yesterday's 2-1 defeat at Keys Park against Newport Isle of Wight. The club who finished bottom of the Nationwide Conference now are three places off the bottom of the Dr. Martens League Premier Division.

WREXHAM will be without their prolific striker Lee Trundle for next week's FA Cup match at Hereford United.

After five bookings, the last of which came against Cardiff City last week, means Trundle will miss the Hereford United game and this will not help Wrexham's chances.

Wrexham manager Denis Smith said: "Following that booking against Cardiff, Lee will be out of our cup game at Hereford next Sunday.

"Had we been playing at Edgar Street on the Saturday, then he would have been alright to play, but suspensions come into effect 14 days after the final booking and that rules him out for the Sunday fixture."

Lee Trundle said: "When we first checked up I thought I was available for the Hereford match, but since then the paperwork has come through and I now find myself banned. I'm gutted as this is a big game and one which will be shown nationally on television. I hated it while sitting out the opening four games of this season, due to that sending off at Bristol Rovers in May, but now I've just got to concentrate on the following match and that comes quickly when we travel to Cambridge United only two days later."

Nov 12th:

PHIL Robinson revealed have he was pleased with Saturday's 0-0 draw at home against Doncaster Rovers.

He said: "There are times when you have to roll up your sleeves and grind out a result. We worked extremely hard to keep a clean sheet and we held out with only 10 men for a considerable time."

Referring to the sending off of Scott Goodwin, Robinson commented: "We were talking at half time that we needed to continue to work hard and close down, but not dive in. I feel that their player over-reacted, but once you've already been booked, like Goodwin had, you cannot afford to go diving in."

JOHN Motson is relishing a return to Edgar Street for next Sunday's live FA Cup first round game against second division Wrexham.

The BBC TV commentator, who described that epic Hereford United FA Cup tie against Newcastle United in 1972, still remembers the game clearly. "It's the 30th anniversary in February and is one of my big memories," said Motson.

"It was my first FA Cup commentary but the match was regarded as very much a formality. But Hereford came from nowhere with five minutes to go and went on to win and it's fair to say it had a profound affect on my career.

"With Newcastle winning and only five minutes to go I had no inkling of what was to happen. Ronnie Radford's goal is probably the most replayed goal in FA Cup history. It was from 40 yards out and every season it is used when the FA Cup comes round."

Ricky George, the scorer of the winner at Edgar Street that day, has been a friend of Motson since their days at Barnet as player and reporter respectively.

Famously the pair were in Hereford's Green Dragon hotel on the eve of the tie as midnight approached and bumped into a clutch of reporters having a drink with legendary Geordie Jackie Milburn. "Motty introduced us all and I was completely awestruck because this guy was a real legend," said George. "But Milburn asked me what I was doing up at that late hour the night before a big game and I said somewhat lamely that I was only a substitute.

"He said 'it's players like you with your attitude that made me give up management, you ought to be getting some rest, you never know you might come on and score the winning goal'."

This Sunday, the chance of a Hereford victory is more likely but Wrexham will start as favourites despite languishing at the wrong end of Division Two. Popular manager Brian Flynn stepped down earlier in the campaign and was replaced by ex-Oxford United boss Denis Smith.

"The FA Cup still means a lot to me particularly with the BBC having it back this year," added Motson. "It's a competition that attracts amazing attention because of the romance of it and I think this year the BBC has got a very fresh approach. I'm up for the match and pleased that it is going to be benefiting the club financially."

Nov 13th:

AN exclusive series, Ron Parrott, author of 'Hereford United - The League Era' reviews a classic programme from the archives...
Part Twelve - November 2001

Hereford United vs Wrexham - Welsh Cup Final - 13th May 1990.

With the big cup match with Wrexham looming, my thoughts went back to previous clashes with the men from the Racecourse Ground and this month’s programme feature.

There could of course be only one candidate – the heady days of May 1990 and the National Stadium at Cardiff. Having lost to rivals Kidderminster Harriers at the semi-final stage of the Welsh Cup the previous season, United were determined to go one better this time. The campaign started off in the best possible way, with a 9-0 hammering of Connah’s Quay Nomads, with Paul Burton becoming Hereford’s youngest ever hat-trick scorer en route. A revenge 3-1 win at Aggborough rapidly followed but a replay was then needed to overcome Bangor City in the quarter-finals. The two-legged semi saw United record a magnificent 3-0 victory at Ninian Park but the roles were reversed in the second leg at Edgar Street and United just managed to cling on to 4-3 aggregate win.

The news that the final is to be played at the National Stadium in Cardiff helps to create a carnival atmosphere and with their opponents Wrexham, finishing four places below Hereford in the old Fourth Division, United start off as slight favourites. Although the attendance is a disappointing 4,812, there’s a great atmosphere with United comfortably winning the battle of the fans. The game starts off at a lively pace and there’s not much to choose between the two sides, with defences generally on top. Then after thirty four minutes, United’s Colin Robinson picks up a through ball and cracks in a fine goal, much to the delight of the black and white areas of the crowd. The lead remains intact until half-time but the Welshmen come back strongly after the break and it’s no more than they deserve when Worthington steers in the equaliser after just ten minutes. Hearts pound as a ding-dong battle ensues and there are chances at both ends but with the minutes ticking away, extra time looks inevitable.

Suddenly, with just six minutes remaining, local boy Ian Benbow drives in a low right-footer from the edge of the box and United fans start to celebrate. The final minutes seem never ending but at last, referee John Deakin blows for time and the crowd erupts.

Manager Ian Bowyer has steered United to their first trophy for fourteen years but sadly, it turns out to be his last game in charge as Colin Addison takes over the reins in the close season. The United heroes that day were: Tony Elliott, Mark A Jones, Steve Devine, Mel Pejic, Darren Peacock, Russell Bradley, Shane Jones, Mark Jones, Ian Benbow, Colin Robinson, Gary Bowyer and substitute Paul Tester.

THE Official Hereford United Website is carrying a list of current highest bids for the signed shirts worn by the players in Sunday's match against Wrexham.

Bids are invited for either a shirt number or an individual players shirt (eg. £50 for Number 10 or £50 for Gavin Williams' shirt). Bids will be taken ubtil 12pm on Monday, 19th November. Bids will be permitted by post (Hereford United FC, Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JU), telephone (01432 276666), or email to shirtbids@herefordunited.co.uk or hufcbulls@hotmail.com.

Also available is the genuine match ball and bids can be made to the above locations.

HEREFORD United boss Phil Robinson has told Scott Goodwin that despite gaining five yellow cards this season and missing this Sunday's FA Cup tie against Wrexham, he must not change his style.

The committed, hard-tackling midfielder will miss the game along with last year's player of the year, Matt Clarke.

Manager Phil Robinson felt that Goodwin didn't deserve his booking against Woking which meant he is suspended for the clash. "The challenge that gave him his fifth booking was never a booking, he was unlucky," Robinson told the Evening News. "But Scott is a combative midfielder and players like him are always going to get their fair share of bookings. If you took that aspect of his game away he wouldn't be the same player."

However, Robinson felt that Goodwin had been rash in his challenge against Doncaster Rovers last Saturday which resulted in his dimissal. "The player he tackled actually made a meal of it in terms of the actual contact made," he said. "But the manner in which Scott went into the tackle at that stage of the game, it probably wasn't the wisest thing to do."

Nov 14th:

DEFRA have refused Hereford United permission to bring out their mascot - a full-sized Hereford bull - for this Sunday's televised FA Cup tie against Wrexham at Edgar Street.

The reason for the decision is that Herefordshire is not yet free of foot and mouth, and is at present an 'at risk' area. This is likely to change next Tuesday, but too late for the match.

HEREFORD United's FA Cup tie on Sunday against Wrexham has been billed as tie of the round by the BBC, who will televise the game on BBC1.

The two giantkillers play at Edgar Street and Gary Lineker presents the action starting at 12.50pm, with kick off at 1pm. Joining Gary are Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, John Motson and Trevor Brooking and the game will be followed by the draw for the second round.

Wrexham are known for giant-killing when, in 1992, they beat then-league champions Arsenal at the Racecourse. At the time, the Welsh side were bottom of the third division and with ten minutes left, Arsenal had a 1-0 lead courtesy of Alan Smith. However, Mickey Thomas hit a 25-yard free-kick past David Seaman and in the closing minutes, twenty-year-old Steve Watkin surged into the area to strike home the winner.

Hereford United beat Newcastle United in 1972 when, in a replay at Edgar Street, a similar story occured. Malcolm McDonald gave Newcastle the lead late in the game but Ronny Radford popped up to score the most famous thirty yard goal in FA Cup history. The game went into extra-time and substitute Ricky George scored the winner as Hereford became the first non-league team to defeat a First Division side since 1949.

John Motson makes a welcome return to Edgar Street for the Wrexham match as will Radford and George who will be making a pitch-side appearance during the programme.

The FA Cup first round is previewed on BBC Radio Five Live's Sport on Five on Thursday night from 8pm, with Ian Payne joined by Wycombe Wanderers manager Lawrie Sanchez and the man who scored the winning goal for them against Leicester in last year's Cup, Roy Essandoh (now at Barnet). Wycombe, in the second division, reached the semi finals last year.

The live coverage of the Hereford vs Wrexham match starts at 12.50pm and concludes at 3.10pm, after the game and the draw for the second round. There will also be updates on the game on BBC Radio Five Live and local stations Classic Gold 954/1530AM and BBC Hereford & Worcester.

An interview with ex-Hereford United stalwart Mel Pejic, now physio at Wrexham, can be found via the Welsh side's official site by clicking here. It was originally from last night's Wrexham Evening Leader.

HE’S the joiner who chiselled his name in FA Cup folklore.

It may be almost 28 years ago, but down in the cider country of Herefordshire they still talk of Ronnie Radford’s rocket. And why not? Radford’s goal was remarkable, a stunning strike from all of 35 yards on a gluepot of a pitch.

It sent Hereford fans into hysterics and it paved the way for a sensational, third round replay comeback victory against first division Newcastle United – Supermac and all! Substitute Ricky George got an extra-time winner and the FA Cup had spawned yet another upset. The scenes that overcast February afternoon at Edgar Street are as vivid to Radford today as they were in 1973.

Radford, 58, who now lives in Wakefield, said: "What do I remember about that goal? Everything! It will never leave me. I suppose Mickey Thomas feels the same about that free-kick goal of his against Arsenal. I can just re-wind the action, if you like, in my mind. I remember playing a one-two with a lad called Brian Owen and, head down, I just hit it. Luckily, it went in. . ."

Modesty forbids Radford to say more, but who will ever forget that incredible goal? Newcastle United goalkeeper Iam McFaul won’t. The Northern Ireland international was at full stretch, straining every sinew to try and keep it out. No chance. Radford’s rasping drive hit the target with all the velocity and accuracy of those Strongbow arrows in the TV advert. After that, and George’s winner, it was drink up ye cider, boys.

"It were great to see it go in," said Radford. "And it were also very nice for Hereford and the lovely people from that part of the world. I come from South Elmsall, which is a little mining village, and to score a goal like that for a small, market town meant something to me. Hereford had a wonderful record in the cup and that win against Newcastle just put them on the map again.

"I remember the celebrations. There were people in the trees alongside the ground because they couldn’t get in.

"Those who were inside invaded the pitch. It were unbelievable. Don’t forget, we’d already drawn at Newcastle - and we were in the Southern League."

Malcolm Macdonald and John Tudor got the Magpies’ goals before 39,000 at St. James’s Park with player-manager Colin Addison and Brian Owen scoring for Hereford. "That were a hell of a result for us, but what happened in the replay is the sort of stuff you dream about."

Hereford had also had hard cup-ties before they landed that plum draw. "We’d had qualifiers to get through before we drew 0-0 at King’s Lynn in the first round. We won the replay 1-0 and then had a marathon second round against Northampton. We drew 0-0 at our place, 2-2 at Northampton and eventually beat them 2-1 after extra-time at West Brom." Radford’s joy at The Hawthorns was another’s disappointment - Dixie McNeil played in all three cup-ties for the Cobblers.

And Sunday? "I’m hoping to get there," said Radford. "I think it’s going to be interesting. There’s a lot of things to take in consideration. First and foremost, it’s the cup and anything can happen. I want Hereford to win, there’s no doubt about that. The cup is special and I’m just hoping Hereford get through. My heart will always be with Hereford. It’s always a magical day when the FA Cup comes round. It’s the competition where non-leaguers have a real chance of glory. Look at what we did!

"The FA Cup gives the minnows, the little clubs a chance, and it often has international players quaking in their boots going to places like Hereford and Wrexham. Sunday will be a great day for showing the character of players from both sides. It’s going to be a day when players will also find out something about themselves. It’ll be nice to see a few friends again. I’m really looking forward to it. I know it’s on television but, like playing, there’s no substitute for the real thing. This is one I really want to see."

One thing is certain. Win, lose or draw the homely folk of Hereford will give Ronnie Radford a rapturous reception. I’m not sure this modest man wants that. But FA Cup heroes in Hereford are a bit thin on the ground.

HEREFORDSHIRE Council Leader Terry James has reinforced his view over the future of Hereford United's ground Edgar Street.

He has said that he wants the ground to be transferred from council ownership to a community trust. By doing this, grants would be available for the improvement and maintainence of the site.

Following the meeting of supporters on Saturday with Chelverton's Simon Morgan and club board members Graham Turner and George Hyde, it is now understood that Morgan is unlikely to report back with any financial details of his relocation plans which the supporters voted to consider. It appears that Chelverton believe that their original idea of a supermarket on the site is impractical and other types of developments, such as warehousing, would not raise enough capital to fund their plans.

It was hoped that ASDA may wish to locate on the site of the football club if their planning application at Belmont failed, but Council Leader James said that it was only likely to fail if a public enquiry deemed it not to be neccessary. The same argument would apply at Edgar Street. This, in theory, would not stop Tesco moving but it is thought that they would rather locate on the cattle market site, close to their current situation.

It is also understood that Chelverton are giving consideration to their future role in Edgar Street and Hereford United. At the moment, Chelverton seem unlikely to force Hereford United to pay back the debts totalling around £1.3 million as it would bankrupt the club with little reward to them.

Nov 15th:

RICKY George, scorer of Hereford United's winning goal against Newcastle United in 1972, reckons the Bulls have a good chance against Wrexham in the FA Cup first round on Sunday, kick off 1pm.

Speaking to the Hereford Times, he said: "I have just watched Wrexham and I think that, with home advantage and the hype surrounding the game, Hereford have a good chance of winning.

"The whole country will be watching this game and it's a great opportunity for the Hereford players to put themselves in the shop window. It would be just great to remind everyone of the club's giantkilling capabilities and cup tradition. I am sure that the players will go out and give a good account of themselves."

Bulls coach Phil Robinson is not underestimating the challenge though, highlighting the threats in a side languishing at the bottom of Division Two. He said: "Even though Wrexham are struggling in their division, individually their players will be of a much higher standard than those we are used to facing each week. Darren Ferguson is a very talented and experienced midfielder and we will have to work very hard in the midfield.

"FA Cup week is always special for players and it is important for me to create a special atmosphere. There has been a lot of interest in the game and we have swapped things around a bit and we will be training on Saturday. Everyone knows that Matt Clarke and Scott Goodwin are suspended and, although I do have players in mind to replace them, I have not yet decided on the line-up.

"The phone hasn't stop ringing, there's lots of activity in the club shop and there is a real of buzz of excitement about the place," he said.

Wrexham will be without their star striker Lee Trundle, who is suspended and manager Denis Smith commented: "It's an extremely exciting and enjoyable week and, hopefully, that will continue after Sunday's match. We know that it's not going to be easy because the Conference is a good league."

Hereford United's swede worshippers will be out in force for the game and chairman Graham Turner, who started his playing career as a youngster at Wrexham, said: "It's a massive spectacle for the BBC. Fifteen cameras are being dotted around the ground, and we will be disappointed if the gate is fewer than 5,000. We are having a big sale in the club shop before the game, and we hope to see colour and reaction on the terraces."

Commentating for the BBC for the game in their live television coverage is John Motson, who was also behind the microphone when Hereford beat Newcastle 2-1 back in 1972. "It raised my profile and, at the same time, helped me establish myself," he said. "I have told the story many times over, but Ricky George, the scorer of Hereford's winning goal, is a friend of mine, and we knew each other before that game.

"I travelled up to Hereford with Ricky and Billy Meadows on the night before the match and we later watched the Match of the Day version of the game at Billy's house."

Of Sunday's game, Motson remembers Hereford's last big FA Cup tie against Leicester City in 1999. He commented: "I think that about four or five of the Hereford players who played in the Leicester game are still at the club. I especially remember Paul Parry, who struck the post that day.

"It's nearly the 30th anniversary since the Hereford-Newcastle game and Wrexham also have a good pedigree in the FA Cup - putting Arsenal out of the competition with the help of that Mickey Thomas goal. It's a very attractive tie and a good way match to launch the BBC's coverage of the FA Cup."

Nov 16th:

THE two following items featured in today's Daily Telegraph:

Ricky George wrote the first: "IT BEGINS again at Church Road, Hayes, tonight, when the Missionaries play in the first match of the first round of this season's FA Cup.

"Hayes, founded in 1909 as Botwell Mission by a woman who ran a school for deprived children, take on Wycombe, conquerors of Leicester City last season on their way to the semi-finals.

"Up and down the country this weekend there are fascinating ties: Tranmere Rovers v Brigg Town, Wigan Athletic v Canvey Island, Stoke City v Lewes, Bournemouth v Worksop Town and so on.

"There are 27 matches featuring non-League clubs against those in the Second and Third Divisions. Imagine how it must feel to be a player or supporter of Whitby Town, 20th in the UniBond League, home to Third Division leaders Plymouth Argyle. Win the game and they are giant-killers.

"One more round and you are in the hat with Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester United.

"I have some wonderful memories of the FA Cup. On Monday, February 7, 1972, two days after Hereford United's famous third-round victory over Newcastle United, Billy Meadows (Hereford's centre-forward) and I were invited into the old Evening News offices in Fleet Street to listen to the fifth-round draw with the late Victor Railton, the newspaper's football writer.

"Incredibly, little Hereford from the Southern League were in the hat for the last 16. We were still to play West Ham in the fourth round but those ties had already been completed two days before. Hereford's third-round replay against Newcastle had been postponed so many times that it was played on the day of the fourth round.

"Huddersfield Town will play West Ham United or Hereford United," said Radio Two's much loved and sadly missed Bryon Butler. Not the most glamorous of ties, but it didn't matter, the excitement and interest created by our win against Newcastle was reaching epic proportions up and down the country, and all over the world, because this was the Cup.

"The competition, which had begun 100 years before when 2,000 spectators watched Wanderers beat Royal Engineers 1-0 at the Kennington Oval, had once again thrown up a story to fire the nation's imagination.

"The FA Cup means glory, glamour and excitement and what's more, it is instant." So wrote the legendary Newcastle centre-forward Jackie Milburn, the man who, in the final of 1955, scored the quickest goal in a Wembley final after just 45 seconds to put the Magpies on the road to a 3-1 victory over Manchester City.

"Hereford didn't get to play at Huddersfield in the fifth round. We went out of the Cup in a replay at Upton Park where, in front of 42,000 people, a hat-trick from Geoff Hurst ended our historic journey. Even 30 years later, the memories of that period still bring tears to my eyes.

"On Sunday, Hereford entertain Wrexham in the clash of the giant-killers and John Motson, Ronnie Radford and I will walk down memory lane. As well as the glory, success in the FA Cup these days means a much-needed financial boost to so many struggling clubs.

"My home town team, Barnet, for whom I scored a hat-trick in the first round against Newport County 31 years ago this month, need a victory over Carlisle at Underhill tomorrow.

"For the sake of the 130-year-old competition, let's hope there is more romance to come."

Ricky George scored Hereford United's winner against Newcastle in 1972

In the 'Peterborough' column: "IF Hereford United lose Sunday's FA Cup tie against Wrexham, they will have Defra's foot and mouth restrictions to blame. They aren't allowed to bring their mascot - a champion Herefordshire bull - to the ground. "Defra have refused to bend the rules," they complain. The club's other good-luck ceremony, where fans "worship" a black and white painted swede, will go ahead as planned."

WREXHAM should welcome back Scottish midfielder Darren Ferguson for the FA Cup game at Hereford United on Sunday, kick off 1pm.

Ferguson has missed Wrexham's last two games with a stomach bug as Denis Smith's side dropped to the bottom of Division Two. However, striker Lee Trundle will be out as he serves a one-match suspension and defender Brian Carey is doubtful with an Achilles injury.

Manager Smith told the BBC: "It's a potential banana skin which is why it's live on television. Every game that you play against lower division sides is there for you to slip up on. But that's what is great about the FA Cup. It's an excellent competition and if we get through a couple of rounds then we can do extremely well."

HEREFORD United player-physio Ian Rodgerson has been speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester's Trevor Owens about the FA Cup match on Sunday.

"There's always that little bit of magic for the cup, a definite buzz," he said. "I'm not sure that the players realised home important it was to get through against Dover but it was vital. It was a lifeline for the club and to get the TV cameras down here is fantastic."

The BBC Television coverage is a superb advert for the cup and club, according to Rodgerson. He commented: "They just add that little bit of extra spice to the cup tie. It's got all the ingredients - we're at home playing against league side in front of the TV cameras.

"Obviously we're the underdogs but Hereford have got a great tradition in the FA Cup and the players are really looking forward to it. It's all about what happens on the day and we've got every chance.

There is just one injury doubt for Hereford which occurred as a result of complete squad training on Thurday. "We had a bit of a mishap last night, as Daniel Davidson just felt his hamstring slightly but he's really the only doubt," he said.

"I had quite a bad tear on my thigh muscle and it's been pretty slow," Rodgerson said of his injury which has kept him out for much of the season. "I've trained for about a week and I think I might have just caused it a little bit of an irritation which is frustrating but I'm just going to have to let it settle down for a couple of days and start again."

"Hopefully, we will get on top of Wrexham - the tempo has got to be high. They've got one or two players that can play a little and obviously we've got to get on top of them, close them down and keep their heads down."

HEREFORD United legend Dixie McNeil only wants to play in tomorrow's game if he could be on the Welsh side!

"If I’m honest, it’s one I’d love to play in it," said McNeil to the Evening Leader. When asked for which team, he said: "Wrexham. Definitely. I had some great times at Hereford and I loved it down there. They’re lovely people and it’s a smashing, little club. But I’ve been in Wrexham now going on 25 years and we had a few good times in the Cup, didn’t we?

The game on Sunday will be a good game, according to McNeil. "I think it’s got the makings of a really good cup-tie, a crash, bang-wallop affair, if you like," he said. "Wrexham are struggling at the moment and Hereford don’t concede many goals. It’s the sort of game where Hereford will want to rise to the occasion and I reckon it’s going to be a really, tough, tough game for Wrexham.

"It’s going to be blood and thunder and I think the surroundings will play a part. Edgar Street is a small, compact, little ground where the crowd are right on top of you. The pitch is a bit tacky and all that can be intimidating. The BBC obviously think there’s the possibility of an upset, too. That’s why they’ll be there with the Match of the Day cameras. It’s a potential banana-skin. . .

"I’ve been involved in those sort of cup-ties with John Sillett at Hereford and Arfon Griffiths at Wrexham. They’re difficult games. A lot depends on what happens on the day and who wants to win it the most. Hereford will definitely be up for it.

"They’ve got nothing to lose while you can’t say that about Wrexham. They’ve got everything to lose. It’s a big, big game for Denis Smith and his players. A win on Sunday can give them a big lift. It could even kick-start something for them in the league.Defeat doesn’t bear thinking about.

"They’ll probably want to lynch me in Hereford for this, but I want Wrexham to win it. Their professional training and fitness should tell, particularly if the pitch is heavy. That saps your energy, but at the end of the day it’s the moment of truth. . ."

HEREFORD United's Phil Robinson could name himself in the starting line-up for tomorrow's FA Cup first round tie against Wrexham, kick off 1pm.

The game, televised on BBC1, will see the bottom side in the second division travel to Edgar Street and face a strong Hereford side which could include Robinson, who hopes to have shrugged of a slight muscle strain picked up in training. Injury doubt Tony James, who had a sore thigh, will start but Scott Goodwin and Matt Clarke are suspended.

"Apart from the two suspensions I've got pretty much a full squad to choose from including myself if I recover from a slight niggle I've picked up," said Robinson. "At this moment I've got a fair idea of the team I will pick,but there are a few places I will mull over. I will see how training goes and probably make a decision closer to tomorrow."

The chance of competing against opposition from a higher league will excite and give the players added impotus to succeed, according to Robinson. "It's such a big difference for lads at our level that it makes it a little bit more special," he said.

"Wrexham have been the focus of a big TV game with their Cardiff match but I think it is a little bit more exciting for us and I hope we can respond. We've got a chance obviously because they are on a run of poor form but there is still a massive divide with Hereford two divisions below. If you look through their team they've got some quality players and a very experienced manager and we need our players to perform to the top of their form to give us a chance."

The Swede Worshippers will be out in force before the game and will aim to kick it into the goal at the Meadow End as a good luck symbol. "It started off in the 1950s but was forgotten about until the match with Leicester a few years ago," said Penny Bayliss, who has painted the swede.

Striker Steve Piearce will be named in the squad but is unlikely to start tomorrow's game. However, Phil Robinson said that once he gets himself fit, he will be a real threat in the Conference.

"He had a good goalscoring record for Halesowen Town but since we've signed him a couple of years ago he has struggled to keep himself fit which has hampered his first team opportunities," commented Robinson. "I'm sure a fit Steve Piearce playing regular first team football could have an impact on Conference football and score goals but we have not had the chance to give him a run which is frustrating for him and Hereford."

Ian Rodgerson will also miss out with a thigh problem whilst goalkeeper Scott Cooksey is due to see a specialist at the end of the month after taking a complete rest in a bid to cure his wrist problems. "He's been told to rest it for a month to let nature take its course but it's not looking good at the moment," said Robinson. Matt Baker will continue between the sticks.

Robinson has said that he has never had much success in the FA Cup and hopes to start tomorrow. "I've never really been involved in any FA Cup runs or played against any big teams but in the League Cup I've played against Arsenal, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers," he said.

Wrexham boss Denis Smith is adamant that despite his team's lowly league positioning, there will be no major surprises in his team selection.

Smith told the Evening Leader: "There will be no great surprises, there can’t be! We haven’t got that many players. I’ve more or less sorted out in my own mind what the team will be on Sunday - and I’m the only one who knows what it is at the moment.

"I’ve got to look at a lot of things, bearing in mind the importance of this match. I’ve got to look at the goalkeeping situation, midfield and the striking situation because Lee Trundle is out suspended. I’ve also got to look at the wide positions because we have not provided from those areas what I want."

The officials tomorrow are of Football League standard. The referee is Mr. Barry Curson of Walsall who, in twelve league games this season, has booked 31 players and sent off one. His assistants will be G A Aston and M E Murphy, whilst the fourth official is M L Dean and delegate is I A Madge.

Nov 17th:

BUREAUCRATS, EH? When a football club has an FA Cup heritage as rich as Hereford United's, you might expect officialdom to give them a break with their lucky mascot says the Independent. But no. The ministry of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in London has forbidden the club from parading a Hereford bull around the Edgar Street pitch before tomorrow's televised match with Wrexham. Doing so is standard practice at Hereford cup-ties but foot-and-mouth has scuppered things.

"To allow the bull to travel the farmer needs a licence," Joan Fennessy, Hereford's secretary, said yesterday. "No one locally would make the decision so it was up to London. Their rationale was that if Santa Claus isn't allowed his reindeer, then we can't have our bull. It's especially ridiculous when the county hasn't had a case of foot- and-mouth for ages, the club never has livestock on the pitch, and the area will officially be declared disease-free from Tuesday.

"It's disappointing because the bull is the main symbol of the club. But we'll still have the worshipping of the swede." The latter ritual, also performed exclusively at cup-ties, sees the fans kick the aforementioned vegetable to the home crowd's end before the start. At least Hereford will have John Motson, who will be commentating live for BBC television. Motty was behind the mike for the Whites' 2-1 win over First Division Newcastle in 1972 when the home side were in the Southern League. "Hereford came from nowhere with five minutes to go and went on to win and it's fair to say it had a profound influence on my career," Motty said this week. And that's no bull.


Nov 18th:

HEREFORD United 1 - 0 Wrexham

Hereford United landed themselves another FA Cup scalp as they knocked out second division Wrexham and set up a second round tie at Swindon Town.

The Bulls had captain Ian Wright to thank for their victory with the only goal coming on nine minutes. However, performance of the day went to goalkeeper Matt Baker who ensured progression to the second round.

Hereford boss Phil Robinson named himself in the centre of midfield in place of the suspended Scott Goodwin, whilst John Shirley was drafted in for Matt Clarke, also banned. Scott Voice got the nod in attack ahead of Rob Elmes, who started on the bench alongside Alex Kevan, a youth player.

Wrexham, languishing at the bottom of Division Two and managed by Denis Smith, were without star striker Lee Trundle and defender Brian Carey for the trip to Edgar Street, where the opposition were graded two divisions lower.

John Motson, Gary Lineker and the Match of the Day team were evident as the player's car park was full with equipment providing live coverage for BBC1 TV. A makeshift studio was erected under the Blackfriars End scoreboard, and a huge balloon filmed from above the Meadow End.

The early pressure was caused by home side and as early as the second minute, Paul Parry, who came so close to scoring against Leicester City in the third round two years ago, hit a free kick in from the left hand side. The ball met with Scott Voice, who's header went inches wide of the far post causing much consternation in the Wrexham following of around five hundred.

Hereford continued throughout the early stages to create most of the attacking play but Trinidadian Hector Sam hit wide from twenty five yards after five minutes.

Ian Wright got the game's only goal after nine minutes when, following a corner from Paul Parry, he hit a shot past goalkeeper Kristian Rogers after a Gavin Williams effort had rebounded off the crossbar.

United were creating more as Wrexham looked lacklustre in defence and poor in attack. Phil Robinson, after twelve minutes, created a good opening for Gavin Williams and his cross was clutched by the goalkeeper. A minute later, though, a promising Wrexham opening concluded disappointingly as Sam scraped his shot wide of the near post.

Wrexham then started to exert pressure. Hector Sam had a good opening but fell over the ball before Hereford's Scott Voice headed over from close range. Then with nineteen minutes on the clock, Sam was released by a through ball and from twelve yards hit a low shot onto the post before it rebounded to safety.

Winger Martyn Chalk was next to go close for the Red Dragons when he headed over whilst being pressurised by Ian Wright, but Hereford hit back on twenty three minutes when Gavin Williams showed off some trickery from a counter attack before being tackled on the edge of the Wrexham area.

The BBC's Alan Hansen must have been having a field day describing the poor defences as both sides looked weak and Matt Baker in the Hereford goal had much work to do as the game progressed. With twenty minutes of the first half left, Craig Falconbridge tested the ex-Hull City stopper with a drive and after a good save, John Shirley cleaned up. Further efforts came from Darren Ferguson, Robin Gibson and Hector Sam as Wrexham searched for an equaliser.

With five minutes of the first period remaining, Steve Roberts angled a header across goal which was agonising to watch as any touch could have gone in. Defender Keith Hill headed over soon after and Craig Faulconbridge shot straight at Matt Baker's legs when it looked easier to score!

The second half was, to be fair, a largely Wrexham attacking show. However, they could not break down a resiliant Hereford back line in search of an equaliser. With four minutes of the half on the clock, Wrexham had appeals for a penalty turned down by the Football League-standard referee Barry Curson from Walsall who coped well with the proceedings, allowing the game to flow. Scott Voice and Gavin Williams both had efforts to test goalkeeper Rodgers at the other end, but to no avail.

On sixty five minutes, Hereford replaced Voice with Rob Elmes, their top scorer for the past two seasons. The change, however, made little impact as Wrexham were the ones attacking and causing the problems. Gavin Williams came off for treatment after a knock seven minutes later and despite continuing, he didn't look to be fully fit.

Wrexham needed a goal. Manager Smith made a change whereby Michael Blackwood was replaced by Andrew Morrell and Hereford were tiring. Wrexham's superior fitness leves and the fast pace of the game were taking their toll on the Bulls.

With ten minutes left, Craig Faulconbridge hit a promising opening way over from twelve yards out and Matt Baker was quite simply keeping Hereford in the game. He was outstanding.

Late efforts from Hector Sam which went wide did little to boost confidence, and then with six minutes left, Matt Baker was called into action again. When one-on-one with Andrew Moralee, Baker saved his shot with his legs and then managed to cope with the resultant pressure exerted by Wrexham. Four minutes later, Baker saved again from Moralee and Hereford looked to have wrapped up the tie.

That was until the fourth official indicated five minutes of added time. Could the Bulls hold on? The pressure by Wrexham was more half-hearted as continual disappointment in attack was taking its toll on their morale. Substitute Dennis Lawrence had a late, late shot which was straight at Baker and time ran out.

Hereford can now add Wrexham to their list of league scalps and it was a team effort that won the game today. The Bulls will now go and meet Swindon Town in the next round, the game at the County Ground to be held on Saturday, November 8th.

Hereford United: Matt Baker, John Shirley, Tony Capaldi, Phil Robinson, Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Jimmy Quiggin, John Snape, Scott Voice (off, 66 minutes), Gavin Williams, Paul Parry
Subs: Rob Elmes (on, 66 minutes), Lee Evans, Steve Piearce, Daniel Davidson, Phil Robinson
Yellow cards: Tony James (58 minutes, foul)
Man of the Match Matt Baker
Attendance 4,107
Referee Mr. Barry Curson (Walsall)

HEREFORD United have been drawn away at Swindon Town in the second round of the FA Cup following today's win against Wrexham.

The game is due to be played on Saturday, December 8th.

HEREFORD United's player boss is delighted with today's FA Cup first round victory over second division Wrexham at Edgar Street. In the game that finished 1-0, Robinson played all ninety minutes.

"It's absolutely fantastic," he told the BBC. "We've worked hard all week and we've done our homework. The first goal was off the training ground as we knew the edge of the box wasn't covered. We hung in there and we kept a clean sheet. Brilliant!"

Of goalkeeper Matt Baker, he couldn't praise him highly enough. "Baker's been in unbelievable form this season and he had another great game today," he said. "It was superb - he came and took his crosses - he had quite a bit to do but that's what he's paid for!"

"We've got a great history in the FA Cup. You can hear what the fans are like when there's an FA Cup game and they've been absolutely fantastic today."

Nov 19th:

SWINDON Town boss Roy Evans, formerly of Liverpool, is relishing his side's second round tie in the FA Cup against Hereford United in three weeks time.

After beating Hartlepool United, Swindon take on Hereford who narrowly knocked out Wrexham on Sunday. The game will be held at Swindon's County Ground on Saturday, December 8.

Evans watched the televised Hereford vs Wrexham match to check up on Wrexham who visit Wiltshire next Tuesday, but ended up getting a sneak preview of his next cup opponents!

He told the Swindon Evening Advertiser: "Everyone knows what Hereford have achieved in the FA Cup over the years. We have to make sure that we don’t become another of their victims. But they played well to beat Wrexham and we will have to make sure our preparation is absolutely right.

He continued: "We are at home to a non-league club. You have to be fairly happy with that. But Hartlepool showed that lower league does not mean easy victory."

Hereford United knocked out Hartlepool United in the second round two years ago but Swindon, in Division Two, will be a completely different kettle of fish. Swindon defender Gareth Davies started his career will Hereford at Edgar Street, while ex-Robins striker Steve Cowe was loaned out to Hereford whilst at Swindon.
Steve White moved from Swindon to Hereford in the summer of 1994 and was a hit at both clubs.

The last clash between Swindon and the Bulls was in 1995 in the Auto Windscreens Shield when Hereford won 1-0 - the scorer was Steve White!

FROM today's Guardian:

On a wall of the directors' suite at Hereford United's Edgar Street ground, there is a photograph of Ronnie Radford's long-range shot against Newcastle United on February 5, 1972. The caption reads: "The goal of the century." You may have seen the goal replayed on television. Or have you just missed Football Focus every year when the FA Cup comes round?

Not a lot of note has happened for Hereford since, and even less for Ronnie Radford. But for the cub reporter doing his first FA Cup commentary on BBC's Match of the Day at that tie, things have gone rather well.

John Motson was 26, on a placement from radio commentary, when he first turned up at Edgar Street. Nearly 30 years on, and recently reckoned to be the man in possession of the perfect broadcasting voice, he is back to cover Hereford's first-round tie against Wrexham, the BBC's first live engagement with the Cup since the rights were prised off ITV. And judging by the reaction of the crowd as he makes his way to his commentary position in the main stand, the return of the Mott was as exciting an event as Edgar Street has witnessed since that mud-soaked day in '72. Not that everyone realised the significance of the visitation.

"Look, son, it's John Motson," says an excited father, pointing to the round-shouldered figure in the headphones.

"Oh, right," replies the boy. "Is he a footballer?"

"No. He's Motty."

As is his wont, Motty arrived at the ground 2 hours before kick-off. He likes to be punctual, and he likes to make sure everything is as it should be. I find him sitting under the picture of Radford, at the boardroom table, dabbing at his notes with some Tippex he has borrowed from the Hereford club secretary. The notes are copious and many, and colour-coded in several different inks. As well as the trademark sheepskin coat, Motson displays a couple of unexpected sartorial touches. There are the pair of large blue-framed glasses which give him the air of a 1980s advertising executive. Then there is a hint of gel in his hair. Motty wears hair gel? Very much so.

"Probably not emotional . . . no, no, emotional's not the right word," Motson says of his return to the west country. "Nostalgic: that would be the more accurate description. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Ronnie Radford again. I've a lot to be grateful to Ronnie for. When Malcolm Macdonald scored early on for Newcastle, I was destined for six minutes at the end of the show. But when Ronnie scored that goal and Hereford went on to win, I got the main game. It was my first FA Cup tie. It was very different then. I never dreamt I'd be back here 30 years later, surrounded by a team like this."

He nods in the direction of Gary Lineker, Mark Lawrenson and the perma-relaxed Alan Hansen, who prefer to prepare for the game by swapping BBC gossip and glad-handing the local directors.

"Bloody hell, Motty," says Lineker, leaning over the hunched figure making his last-minute adjustments. "You have got the neatest handwriting I've ever seen."

In many ways, Hereford against Wrexham is the perfect Motty match. Not just for the nostalgia, not just for the romance, not just because it makes a change from the soap opera of the Premiership, but for the opportunity to wallow in research. Most of us could, if handed a microphone, manage a couple of words about David Beckham or Michael Owen, could tell the difference at a glance between Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard. But faced with Hereford's Robert Elmes and required to tell the watching public that his full-time job is teaching German, or that his team-mate Phil Robinson studied psychology at Salford University and sticks motivational slogans round the dressing room, well, we leave that sort of detail to Motty. That, after all, is what he is there for.

"Funnily enough, it fell brilliantly," he says of the tie. "I was able to get to see Hereford at Woking on the Saturday and Wrexham were providentially at Reading on the Tuesday. So I've seen them both and got some good facial identification. Mind you - ho ho - you can't win. Wrexham have made four changes since that game."

Not that something like that would put off Motty. He has just returned from the Wrexham dressing room, where he had collared one of the coaches to point out the incomers.

"Couldn't do that at Manchester United," he says. "Not that you'd need to, of course. It's got harder, you know, to have the contact. In the 70s they'd come up and chat. Now - and I'm not saying it's their fault - it's much more structural. Security whisk them away. Nowadays I have to stand in the tunnel as they go out to warm up to see what they look like. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm just off to see the referee. I want to get the names of his assistants. If you don't you can guarantee today will be the day when one of them is involved in a controversial incident."

Half an hour before kick-off, after returning from the referee's room, Motty makes his way to his commentary position, hastily constructed out of a couple of rows in the directors' box. He sits next to Trevor Brooking in front of three monitors and - useful skill this - continues fact-checking while signing autographs. His signature, I can't help noticing, is very neat.

"Could you put the captions up, please?" he says into his microphone, presumably to the programme director, before turning to me. "I like to check the captions are accurate and properly spelt. Ah, here they come. Yes, yes, yes. That's very good. One hundred per cent accurate. Yes, Martin, I can confirm that's correct for Hereford. Though we need a captain for Wrexham. It's [Darren] Ferguson, I presume. Thought so."

There was no such technology available for him when he first came to Hereford. In those days there were no action replays, no super slo mo, nothing at all.

"I was on my own, of course, no co-commentator then," he says. "I sat on the other side of the ground as I remember, because they hadn't built that stand then."

Motson is renowned for his phenomenal memory. He remembered something I'd written in an interview with him 10 years ago, remembered Tom the photographer had taken his picture before a match once ("it was Arsenal-Sheffield Wednesday as I recall, Tom, wasn't it?"), remembered a previous encounter with a woman who comes up and introduces herself ("course I remember you"). So I thought I'd give him a tester: which was the team Hereford beat in the round before their great Newcastle victory?

"Northampton, as I recall," he says. Naturally, it was. Was his memory, though, restricted to footballing issues? Did he, for instance, ever forget his wife's birthday?

"Forget the wife's birthday?" he says. "Don't think so. No. No. Categorically, I can say I've never forgotten the wife's birthday. Have been known to get the anniversary wrong. But only by a day."

It is not for his memory, however, that we love Motty. Not for the facts he drags out of his mental bottom draw, either. The reason we love him becomes evident two minutes into the game, when Hereford's Scott Voice misses a chance so easy the only surprise is it doesn't come gift-wrapped with a tag bearing his name. Motty is on his feet immediately, forced upright by the adrenalin rush of the genuine lover of the game.

"Ho, ho, ho, would you believe it? My word. Well, I don't think he'll get an easier chance than that."

He may not have Alan Green's tell-it-like-it-is forthrightness, he may not have Andy Gray's reading of the game, he may not have Big Ron's magnificently idiosyncratic thesaurus to hand. But what Motty has is enthusiasm. He's such an enthusiast, you get the impression in the midst of the bleakest 0-0 boreathon, he'd find a little something to chortle over. Since 1964 he has been reporting on football and the enthusiasm has never wavered, never has the reservoir of excitement been in danger of running dry. Link him up to the national grid and he could keep the country supplied in bonhomie for weeks on end. Tony Blair could do worse than bottle him as a permanent antidote to sneerers and naysayers. This is a man engaged in a passionate, 37-year-long affair. With his job.

And on his return to Edgar Street, he has had a great time. Not least because of the reception he has received.

"To be honest with you, it's been so convivial, so relaxed, you have to tell yourself occasionally you're about to go on live television for two hours."

The match, too, was right up his street. True, this time round there was no Ronnie Radford moment. No piledriver blammed from 30 yards. No shirt riding up to reveal yards of torso as the goal scorer wheeled away. No invasion of the parkas. But there was much to enjoy, particularly in the performance of Hereford's young keeper, Matt Baker, who looked a model of calm and self-assurance. Which wasn't easy in the gnawing tension, as the home team held on to their ninth-minute lead courtesy of Ian Wright (no, not that one).

"Good cup tie," Motty says afterwards, his face glowing. "And a great story. BBC gets the tie right again. Have you seen the draw for the next round, by the way? Canvey have got Northampton and Brighton against Rushden and Diamonds. Couple of corkers there."

There is possibly only one person in the country who could describe Canvey against Northampton and Brighton versus Rushden as a couple of corkers. Thank you, John Motson.

Written by Jim White (the Guardian)

GRAHAM Turner, chairman of Hereford United, was pleased with the FA Cup draw that pitted his Conference hopefuls against second division Swindon Town in the second round.

"The draw is not a bad one although obviously we would have preferred a home draw, but Swindon is not too far for us to travel and we can take a good following," he told the Evening News. "Swindon are one of the big clubs left in the competition at this stage so there should be a good atmosphere.

"From their point of view they will be delighted with the draw, so it is up to us to go there and make it as difficult as we can."

Of the 1-0 victory of Wrexham, Turner said he was tense from start to finish. He said: "I kicked every ball during the match and it was a very tense affair and they had some good chances. But it was a good FA Cup tie with the result in doubt right to the end."

Manager Phil Robinson said that confidence was the reason why his side beat Wrexham. "I did a lot of psychology on my degree course at Salford University," he said. "We may be a Conference side but that doesn't mean we don't use all the best techniques."

Captain Ian Wright, who scored the winner, was slightly less sure about Robinson's techniques! "We have all sorts of phrases and words pinned around the dressing room," he admitted. "But don't ask me to quote them - I can't!"

Brian Carey, the Wrexham captain, said to the Wrexham Evening Leader that his side wasted opportunities. "We had enough chances to have won six cup-ties never mind that one."

The boss of the Welsh side, Denis Smith, told their official website (www.wrexhamafc.co.uk) that he was disappointed that a foul by John Shirley on Michael Blackwood in the second half didn't result in a penalty.

"I haven't seen it again on video, but from my position it looked an obvious penalty," he said. "I won't alter anything now, would like to see it again. Besides that though we had enough chances to have won the game time and again. But if you don't take your chances you don't win games.

"We started poorly and they got the goal, but after that even substitute Andy Morrell has come on and had three chances. He had a one-on-one with five minutes to go and to be fair usually sticks them away. Hector has had chance after chance in the first half but died a bit in the second.

"You would also expect Craig Faulconbridge to score with his header and Steve Roberts to score with his. It's goals that change games and we have had enough chance to score them today. From a team that I thought would always score goals, we have gone to one that just can't take its chances. You can say that Trundle's out, but that's his fault for getting booked.

"It can be put down to confidence. Andy's not been in the side and missed his, Hector's hit the post and if that had gone in it would all be different. It's all 'ifs and buts' - they now get all the headlines and we're the mugs, but we have live with it. This is a fabulous, fabulous competition if you win, but if you don't - I'll tell it's not a nice feeling!"

HEREFORD United director Grenville Smith has come out in support of the team on BBC Hereford & Worcester this afternoon, labelling the Bulls "king of the giantkillers".

Following the 1-0 victory over Wrexham in the FA Cup first round yesterday, he said: "It was an absolutely fantastic result for us. I think we proved ourselves to be king of the giantkillers. Wrexham have had many battles in the past and knocked out first division clubs but we did so well yesterday."

The lack of the mascot - a full-sized, real-life Herefordshire Bull - Smith commented: "It was such a disappointment. It was due to foot and mouth. They wouldn't give us permission to put the bull out there."

Of the game, Smith was full of praise for the performance. "I thought the Hereford defence was magnificent," he said. "Matt Baker did an outstanding job and I'm sure any major league clubs watching him would have certainly been very interested. It was a first class display and I'm sure the television cameras had a wonderful 'Match Of The Day'.

We've got the potential and I'm sure it won't be too long before we're back in the league. The enthusiasm is great and it certainly helped us yesterday with the finances. We haven't got to turn around and start selling players to keep our heads above water so all in all it was a magnificent day.

"It was an incredible atmosphere. It was like the old days again. I'm afraid the last five minutes were very, very tense and when the fourth official held up an extra five minutes I think my nails went down to my elbows! It meant so much to us.

"Had we gone out at Dover (in the fourth qualifying round), I don't know what we would have done. There's a lot of prize money in the cup now and had they equalised in the last five minutes, we'd have lost £20,000. It's made so much of a difference. At the next board meeting, we'll have a smile on our faces."

The second round sees Hereford making the trip to second division Swindon Town. "It's a good draw," commented Grenville. "It would have been nice to have been at Edgar Street but I think we've got the potential to go there and get a draw and bring them back to Edgar Street. I know we will take a fantastic following to support us at Swindon."

Nov 20th:

HEREFORD United have raised over £3,000 in the Wrexham shirt auction held though the official website.

The club would like to thank all the people that were involved, particularly to Pauline Williams and family for coming up with the excellent idea in the first instance; and also to the website team for administrating the auction on the internet.

The auction has been deemed a great success, and rightly so

PHIL Robinson will take his Hereford United side to Northwich Victoria on Saturday without captain Ian Wright, who scored last week's winner in the FA Cup first round against Wrexham.

Wright is suspended after picking up five yellow cards this season and joins John Snape and Scott Goodwin who are also banned.

However, it's not all bad news as Robinson is relishing the chance to field some fringe players. "There's competition for places and now there is an opportunity for someone to come and show what they can do and do well," he told the Evening News.

Robinson also said that picking himself for the Wrexham game was a hugely difficult decision. "It was difficult because I'd been out for such a long time, but from what I'd seen the only other option was John Shirley but he was playing at right back so I played," he said. "But it was good to be out there in the middle and in control and to be able to have an influence over events on the pitch."

Provisional viewing figures for the live televised match on Sunday reveal that 3.1 million viewers watched the game, 300,000 more than watched the Premiership highlights on ITV the night before. The BBC are thought to be delighted with the figures.

Nov 21st:

EX-Hereford United striker Jimmy Quinn is hoping to pull one over on his old team when he hosts the Bulls at Northwich Victoria on Saturday.

Quinn, manager of the Drill Field club, is furious that the Vics were eliminated from the FA Cup by five goals to two against Hull City last Saturday and is looking to bounce back with victory against Hereford.

"It was such a big game and a lot of players didn't perform," Quinn told the Northwich Guardian. "One or two of them let themselves down and we didn't give Hull tackles to let them know we were there. We showed them too much respect. All the work we did in the week on getting tight and getting to the ball, we didn't do.

"Some of the players played with a bit of fear and I don't like to see that. There was only Steve Garvey, for me, who performed, he was one of the best players on the whole pitch."

Northwich are hoping to welcome back Val Owen from his knee injury and Mark Devlin from suspension to face a Hereford side three places and one point ahead of them. Quinn added: "Hereford will be an interesting game on Saturday. They had a good result in the cup and are not a bad side. I will be looking for the players to show me how much character they have and what they've learnt from the Hull game.

"We need a better performance and some of them have it all to do. Devlin will be back, I should be fully fit and Val will also be back. He was gutted he had to miss our two big games against Hull and Dagenham, but for Saturday we'll be stronger."

Meanwhile, the club have called off tonight's reserve game with Tamworth due to unforseen circumstances. They apologise for the enforced cancellation.

Nov 22nd:

STARS of television soaps' Hollyoaks and Brookside will grace Edgar Street on Sunday to raise funds for Hereford United.

A celebrity team will play Wyvern FM in a friendly football game and all funds go to 'Save the Bulls'. The England Blind Football Team, who are based in the city, will provide half-time entertainment.

Kick off is at 2pm this Sunday, with the celebrity team including Brookside's Tinhead, Steve, Mike and Robbie whilst Luke, Tony, Lewis, Adam, Jambo, Ben, Dan, Norm and Jack will feature from Hollyoaks, also screened on Channel Four.

Tickets are available on the day at £3 for adults and £1 for children.

HEREFORD United fan John Perkins can now say that he has travelled the world to watch the Bulls in action.

Living Ithaca, upstate New York, John made the trip to Edgar Street for Hereford United's cup tie with Wrexham on Sunday. "My interest in the club has really grown over the Internet," said John, an analytical chemist . "But my father, Eric, grew up in the city, too."

HUISA coaches will be going to the second round tie at Swindon on Saturday, 8th December. Anyone wanting to book should call the club on 01432 276666 from tomorrow. Please note, alcohol is banned on the coach and the journey will cost £10.

Meanwhile, Hereford coach Phil Robinson has said that whilst the proposed PFA strike will not directly affect the club as it covers just Football League teams, he backs the move. Speaking to the Hereford Times, he said: "Our club was not balloted because we are outside the Football League. But we are paying members and have the same rights. However, we are fully supportive of any action."

HEREFORD United coach Phil Robinson has signed ex-Burnley younger Alex Kevan on a non-contract basis after an impressive performance in a recent practice match.

Kevan, a twenty year old midfielder, goes into the squad for this weekend's trip to Northwich and was on the bench last weekend against Wrexham. He may get a run-out as the Bulls are without the suspended trio of Ian Wright, John Snape and Scott Goodwin.

"It was back down to earth for the lads on Tuesday, and we know that Northwich is going to be a tough game," said Robinson to the Hereford Times. "We are just looking to maintain our form and put on a good performance. Hopefully, the points will come."

He added: "We are being forced to make a few changes, but I think we have to start using the whole squad. There is competition for places and it means that anyone who comes in and plays well will be given a run in the side."

Nov 23rd:

HEREFORD United's once long injury list is now almost non-existant for tomorrow's Nationwide Conference game at Northwich Victoria, kick off 3pm.

However, coach Phil Robinson has three players suspended and the players need to respond to the loss of Ian Wright, John Snape and Scott Goodwin as well as forget their FA Cup victory over Wrexham. "It is always hard to get focused after such a big game and all the excitement and euphoria that went with the Wrexham match with all the press attention," he told the Evening News.

"It will be a big test for their characters to see if they get down and do their jobs and not rest on their laurels from last week. It is certainly a game that I might find out a lot of things about my players."

Matt Clarke, who was suspended for the Wrexham game, could at right-back and Mark Williams may be called on to start his first game in ten United outings. "There may well be a few changes because of suspensions and Williams may be in for a recall in place of Ian Wright. But there have been some good performances in training and there are a number of players who can play in a variety of positions and different formations so I haven't decided yet."

New signing Alex Kevan, aged twenty, has joined the club from Burnley on a non-contract basis, after impressing in a recent trial game against Swansea. "He's been on trial at a few league clubs but I managed to persuade him to come here," said Robinson. "He could be in contention because he's a midfielder and John Snape and Scott Goodwin are both suspended."

Scott Cooksey, the goalkeeper who has yet to play this season, could restart training next week if a specialist gives the go ahead.

Northwich will welcome back Mark Devlin who was suspended last week. Midfielder Val Owen has been suffering with a knee injury but boss Jimmy Quinn hopes he returns to play some part in the game. "It's time now to get back to the bread and butter stuff and get some points on the board," Quinn said after the 5-2 Cup defeat against Hull City last weekend.

Nov 24th:

HEREFORD United have enjoyed some stunning high-profile results in recent times but Sunday's FA Cup success over Wrexham couldn't have been better timed reports the Sports Argus.

The club's current financial plight has been well chronicled, suffice to say the Bulls are losing money hand over fist.

Bulls' boss Graham Turner estimates they are leaking £3,000 a week.

He explained: 'We budgeted for gates of 2,200 at the start of the season, but owing to our league position they have dropped to 1,500, even less than that on some occasions, and it doesn't need a genius to work out there's a shortfall.

'Some clubs have a benefactor - we have to rely on a good cup run or selling players.

'Last season we had to sell players to make up the shortfall. This season, because we're having a good cup run, we won't have to do that.'

Revenue from television money, coupled with the £20,000 prize money on offer for reaching the second round and a packed house at Edgar Street to boot, led to a lucrative day for the Bulls.

Yet that is merely a drop in ocean compared to the wider picture where Hereford United remain £1.3million in debt.

The previous board took out two loans in exchange for the lease on their ground.

But the local council remain adamant that Hereford United will remain at Edgar Street.

As Turner explains: 'The developers will want some return on their investment and we are contracted to pay them £1.3m back within 19 months - so as you can see, something has to be done and talks are ongoing.

'Football is awash with money at the moment, although not at this level. We need a place where we can get back into the Football League.

'Yet you only have to look at Sunday's result to see how much it means to people around here. Not just to the club, but the town of Hereford itself and I still believe we play a very important part in the community.

'The whole town has been lifted by the result and I would expect at least 1,500 supporters to make the trip to Swindon in the next round.

'Life is difficult, but Sunday was a very good occasion and I thought the players acquitted themselves extremely well - even if we rode our luck at times.

'The trip to Swindon is quite an attractive one as they are one of the bigger clubs in the competition at this stage and have a very experienced manager in Roy Evans.

'We go into the game very much the underdogs - but then sometimes we prefer it like that!'

NORTHWICH Victoria 1- 0 Hereford United (report by Terry Goodwin)

Hereford United sunk to new depths in their recent history today as not only did they lose 1-0 at Northwich Victoria, their fourth game against the Cheshire side in succession in which they have failed to score, but the Bulls dropped to within four points of the relegation zone and the Dr. Martens League.

Their current tally of twenty four points is just four more than Hayes who lie two from bottom of the Nationwide Conference and Northwich's victory today means they move above the Bulls into thirteenth. Phil Robinson's men can forget the FA Cup; they have work to do in the league at Barnet next Saturday after today's result. The record states three league games without a win and that's an issue that Phil Robinson has to address.

With captain Ian Wright, determined midfielder John Snape and the volatile Scott Goodwin suspended, Robinson must have been relieved to welcome back Matt Clarke to right-back following a ban. He slotted into a defence which partnered Mark Williams alongside stand-in captain Tony James and Tony Capaldi. The midfield saw Alex Kevan work with coach Phil Robinson on his debut, and Gavin Williams dropped back onto the left wing to accommodate the inclusion of Steve Piearce in attack. Piearce and Rob Elmes were Robinson's prefered attackers, with Scott Voice starting on the bench.

Northwich Victoria, now managed by Jimmy Quinn, named a former Hereford player in their side. Jake Sedgemore, who was with the Bulls at the start of the campaign, started in midfield with Quinn on the bench. The veteran ex-Swindon Town attacker played two and a half games at Hereford last Autumn with limited success.

The Drill Field saw one of the least eventful first halves of football on record with the travelling supporters from Hereford have little to shout about. There were half chances for both sides but nothing of real substance. Mark Devlin tested Baker after four minutes, Matt Clarke appeared to pull the shirt of Gregg Blundell a minute later and was lucky not to be spotted by the referee, and Jake Sedgemore has a low drive easily saved by Hereford's stopper.

It wasn't all Northwich though. Hereford's Rob Elmes headed over, Alex Kevan headed over from a deep Gavin Williams free kick and Steve Piearce had a couple of half chances. On the half hour, a Steve Garvey cross was headed up by Hereford's Mark Williams and the ball was travelling goalwards! Matt Baker jumped to clutch it from the air to save any embarressment.

Steve Piearce was removed at the break by Robinson in a strange move as Jimmy Quiggin entered the arena. Piearce had looked fairly lively and a good game would have been good for him to regain fitness and confidence. Obviously Phil Robinson had other ideas and moved Gavin Williams into attack alongside Rob Elmes.

The second half was just five minutes old when Mark Devlin, the Northwich captain, scored what turned out to be the winning goal. After a poor clearance from the Hereford defence following a corner, Devlin hit a twenty five yard scorcher with his left foot past the helpless Baker, who was left stranded.

How Northwich failed to increase their lead in a half that they dominated is anyone's guess. Gregg Blundell first tested Matt Baker's handling with a shot on the turn, and two minutes later hit an effort narrowly wide after beating Baker. Rob Elmes and Paul Parry had efforts for Hereford which failed to trouble Victoria's ex-Manchester United youth goalkeeper Paul Gibson before Elmes' removal for Scott Voice midway through the half.

With ten minutes left, Gavin Williams came closest to grasping Hereford United a point. A long ball from Tony Capaldi picked out Williams who hit a thirty yard drive low towards the near post, only for the goalkeeper to tip it around and out for a corner. Blundell wasted another chance as the match died and Northwich deserved their victory. In fact, the 1-0 margin does not reveal the real difference between the two sides.

Hereford looked lost without their suspended trio, especially Ian Wright at the back, and the balance of the midfield was lost without John Snape. They were limited to long-range shots and half chances as Northwich defended well. However, new signing Alex Kevan played well in the centre of the park and had a sound debut in a team which under-performed.

Finally, the referee Mr. W. McIntosh let the game flow and, despite some niggling moans about his performance, he managed the encounter well and should be commended for his decision-making. It's only fair that referees are praised when they have good games as they get plenty of criticism when things go wrong!

Hereford United: Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, Tony Capaldi, Phil Robinson, Mark Williams, Tony James (captain), Alex Kevan, Steve Piearce (off, half time), Rob Elmes (off, 65 minutes), Gavin Williams, Paul Parry
Subs: Scott Voice (on, 65 minutes), Lee Evans, Jimmy Quiggin (on, half time), John Shirley
Yellow cards: Kevan (57 minutes, unsporting behaviour)
Attendance: 790
Man of the Match: Alex Kevan
Referee: Mr. W. McIntosh

Nov 25th:

MARK Devlin's winner at home against Hereford United yesterday has inspired Northwich Victoria after a disappointing 5-2 FA Cup defeat against Hull City last week.

Assistant manager Dave Cooke said: "The game showed how important Mark is to us. Hereford beat Wrexham last week so they are obviously a good side and we would have got a lot closer to Hull had Mark been eligible.

"There are times when he runws down his own space when he should be shooting, but today he swung his left foot at the ball and it was a beauty. It was one of those games that needed something special to decide it and Mark was the only person able to provide it.

"We should have scored more. Hereford were pushing up and I though we could catch them out and kept shouting to drop the ball over the top so we could get Gregg Blundell away. It almost worked. He had two one-on-ones and missed them both but we don't mind him missing chances as long as we win."

FOLLOWING yesterday's 1-0 defeat at Northwich Victoria, Hereford United have slipped to 200/1 to capture the Conference title, according to bookmakers William Hill.

Dagenham and Redbridge are still favourites (4/5) despite losing top spot yesterday to Boston United (6/5). Hereford's opponents next week, Barnet, are 11/1 third favourites, with Doncaster Rovers at 25/1 and Nuneaton Borough at 28/1.

Similar odds are mirrored by Surrey Racing with Dagenham as favourites (8/11), Boston in second (6/5) and Barnet in third (9/1). However, Barnet (9/1), Yeovil Town (20/1) and Doncaster Rovers (25/1) are next with Nuneaton quoted at 66/1. Hereford are quoted at 200/1.

Surrey Racing have four relegation tips at odds on with Scarborough favourites for relegation at 8/15. Hayes (4/7), Dover Athletic (4/6) and Stalybridge Celtic (4/6) are also tipped to fill the three relegation places, so one of the condemned four will survive! Chester (2/1), Woking (9/2) and Northwich Victoria (13/2) are other clubs predicted to struggle whilst Hereford United are quoted at 33/1, along with Margate and Telford United.

In the FA Cup, Hereford United are 1000/1. The favourites with William Hill are Manchester United (9/2), with Liverpool (5/1), Leeds United (11/2) and Arsenal (6/1) likely to challenge. First Division Wolverhampton Wanderers are at 66/1, whilst Hereford United's opponents in the second round, Swindon Town, are quoted at 400/1. Other teams alongside Hereford at 1000/1 include Football League hopefuls Notts County, Swansea City, Southend United, Rushden & Diamonds, Rochdale, Oldham Athletic, Exeter City, Bury, Bristol Rovers and Blackpool. The highest-quoted non-league team after the Bulls is Dagenham & Redbridge at 1500/1, whilst the Football League sides Colchester United (1250/1), York City (1500/1), Halifax Town (2000/1), Cambridge United (2000/01), Carlisle United (2500/1), Macclesfield Town (3000/1) and Lincoln City (also 3000/1) are below Hereford. The outsiders are little Whitby Town at 20000/1 with Bedford Town at 15000/1.

Surrey Sports' odds follow a similar pattern. Swindon Town are at 500/1 with Hereford United at 2500/1. The odds mean that non-league Aldershot, Barnet, Dagenham & Redbridge and even Whitby Town are quoted above Hereford at 2000/1. The outsiders are Altrincham, Bedford Town, Hinckley United, Lancaster Town and Newport County at 10000/1, whilst Tamworth at 20000/1.

HEREFORD United's Edgar Street ground hosted a charity football game to raise cash for the 'Save the bulls' fund this afternoon.

The Wyvern FM Allstars side crashed 11-2 to a Brookside & Hollyoaks celebrity team in the well-attended affair.

Nov 26th:

HEREFORD United boss Phil Robinson said that he though the Bulls should have beaten Northwich Victoria on Saturday in a game which was lost 1-0.

At half time, he was adamant that his team could have gone on and scored the winner but an early second-half goal from Northwich skipper Mark Devlin put paid to his hopes.

"We played well in the first-half and I didn't think that we would come away with nothing. We created quite a few chances and should have hit the target more than we did," said Robinson to the Evening News.

"There were a few below par displays, but you have to bear in mind that we had three suspended. Ian Wright's influence was missed and John Snape would have rolled up his sleeves and got stuck in," he added.

Meanwhile, around 2,000 spectators turned out for yesterday's celebrity match between Wyvern FM and a combined Hollyoaks and Brookside team, according to the official Hereford United website (www.herefordunited.co.uk)

Nov 27th:

PHIL Robinson has praised Hereford United's new signing Alex Kevan after a battling debut at Northwich Victoria.

Kevan, the ex-Burnley youngster, has signed for Hereford on non-contract forms but has impressed boss Robinson.

"The game was very stretched and he had to put in a lot of leg work but for a
first game he did well," said Robinson. "He showed some good quality and a competitive edge in a difficult game."

Nov 29th:

HEREFORD United will welcome back three players for Saturday's trip to Barnet in the Nationwide Conference, kick off 3pm.

Captain Ian Wright and midfielders John Snape and Scott Goodwin will return after suspension to boost a side defeat at Northwich Victoria last Saturday. The Bulls could secure their first double of the season after beating Barnet on the opening day, 2-1 in a televised clash.

After three away league defeats in a row, Hereford need to bolster their attack and coach Phil Robinson told the Hereford Times: "Most of our strikers have shown that they are capable of scoring goals. But over the last two seasons they have suffered from a lack of confidence with nobody able to find the net regularly. We are playing good football and creating plenty of chances, and I hope that one of our strikers will start a prolific run."

Of Barnet, he said: "Barnet are a good footballing team with a couple of highly regarded young players who are being watched by the Premier League clubs. It would be great to get a result there as it would put us in good heart for our cup visit to Swindon."

The Bees were relegated on the last day of last season from Division Three and are currently fourth in the Conference. They have some young stars being watched by Premiership sides but lost 1-0 at Carlisle United in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.

Hereford could see the return of Ian Rodgerson (thigh) after injury, and midfielder Alex Kevan should keep his place after a solid debut at Northwich. However, striker Danny Davidson has a hamstring injury and will miss out. Barnet will include Stuart Niven, an on-loan signing from Ipswich Town, in their squad but experienced captain Greg Heald is suspended. Midfielder John Doolan returns to the squad after a long spell out with injury.

Meanwhile, the Hereford United youth team beat Hednesford Town 2-0 last night in the Midland Floodlit Youth League Northern Division.

Nov 30th:

HALESOWEN Town have failed to loan Hereford United striker Steve Piearce after disagreeing on terms with the Bulls.

Boss Brendan Phillips said that the finances of Halesowen could not fund Hereford's terms of half of any injury treatment required whilst he is at the Grove as Piearce's two and a half seasons at Edgar Street have been hampered by them. He moved to United from the Yeltz in July 1999 but has struggled with injuries, even
going back to Halesowen for a loan spell last season.

Phillips told the Halesowen News: "We haven't got the finances to take Steve without a fall-back clause should he get injured. It's in the hands of other people whether I get the striker I want."

A loan move for Piearce would have meant linking up with ex-Hereford men Leroy May, Kerry Giddings and Mark Taylor at the Dr Martens League Western Division side. Giddings has been offered a loan move to Redditch United and manager Phillips is due to hold further talks with the attacker.

HEREFORD United are aiming to improve their record of two goals in five games in their Nationwide Conference clash at Barnet tomorrow, kick off 3pm.

Boss Phil Robinson has urged his strikers to take their chances after six league wins since their opening day victory over Barnet which has seen a drop for Hereford to fifteenth in the table. Barnet should field their on-form strikeforce of Wayne Purser and Ben Strevens at Underhill tomorrow.

"I'm not surprised Barnet are as high as they are because they were very highly rated and were one of the fancied teams," said Robinson in tonight's Evening News."They have got some exciting players and play an attacking brand of football and are always a threat and likely to score goals. We have been working on things at the beginning of the week on where they are going to play and what they are going to do. But we still need to be positive and try and attack them as well.

"It's become a problem again the fact that we are not prolific in front of goal and we need to address it."

In their recent games, Hereford have lost three times by single goals and Robinson said: "No team has outplayed us and in every game we are getting a -lot of chances. If you look at the statistics they normally show that we have had the most attempts on goal. We just seem to be missing that magic formula of being able to put the ball into the back of the net and we need somebody to go on a goalscoring spree."

Hereford will welcome back captain Ian Wright and midfielders Scott Goodwin and John Snape after suspension but there is a doubt over striker Scott Voice. Attacker Danny Davidson (hamstring) is out but Ian Rodgerson, who has recovered from a thigh strain, could be back in the squad. 'Keeper Scott Cooksey was due to see a specialist yesterday about his long-standing wrist injury.

Hereford (from): Baker, M. Williams, Wright, James, Clarke, Goodwin, Robinson, Rodgerson, Snape, Shirley, Elmes, G. Williams, Parry, Quiggin, Piearce, Capaldi, Kevan.