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Hereford defeated for the first time
A poor performance from Hereford resulted in the match being lost to Gravesend & Northfleet this afternoon, with a 3 - 0 defeat.
Unbeaten run
over
Gravesend
& Northfleet 3 - 0 Hereford United
Three games - six points - not a bad
return but Hereford United will be disappointed with the
manner of today's defeat at Gravesend & Northfleet.
Crashing to a 3-0 defeat at Stonebridge Road, the Bulls would have expected better but were shell-shocked by a 'Fleet side still revelling in their Ryman League victory last season and a strong start to their Conference season, holding Yeovil Town and pushing Dagenham & Redbridge close to a draw.
Hereford's day started well as Graham Turner named an unchanged line-up, but the 200 or so travelling supporters in a crowd of 1,130 were soon disappointed. Matt Baker's goal was put under much early pressure as the young goalkeeper fumbled on a couple of occasions, and after just seven minutes a Jimmy Jackson corner was headed onto the post by defender Nick Burton.
After losing Andy Tretton with a groin injury, things went from bad to worse. Midway through the half, Tostao Kwashi knocked over a free-kick from the Gravesend left which was flicked onto Nick Burton, who headed home to open the scoring.
The home side continued to dominate with only flashes of attacks from Hereford. Steve Guinan was clear through on goal when 'keeper Paul Wilkerson plucked the ball from his feet, and with eight minutes of the half remaining it was 2-0. Jackson swung over a corner from the right for Aaron Barnett to knock through to Burton, who again fired home a powerful nod.
In the closing minutes of the half, Ian Wright cleared a Gravesend corner when life was difficult at the back, and the home side were physically dominant which stifled Hereford's passing style.
The second half opened with Tony James suspected of a handball in the area. The referee waved away the appeals, and after fifty four minutes Rob Sawyer was thwarted in Hereford's best chance of the match. From the edge of the box, the former Barnet player hit a swerving volley goalwards which Wilkerson scrambled away from the near post.
United introduced new blood in the shape of Roert Purdie for Sawyer as the Bulls searched for a lifeline, but with nineteen minutes left Hereford almost went 3-0 down. A Mark Bentley curling shot from just outside the box struck the outside of Baker's far post, only to bounce behind for a corner. After Steve Guinan had picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Jimmy Jackson, Gravesend got their third. Tostao Kwashi dispossessed Matt Baker after the ball had been played back to him by Tony James, and easily rounded the former Hull stopper to make it 3-0. The move summed up what was a disappointing display for Hereford.
In the five minutes of added time, Danny Williams had to be taken off injured Matt Clarke picked up a yellow card, and his replacement Scott Voice wasted a perfect opening as the ball bobbled wide at the far post.
All in all, this was an awful performance by Hereford were never found their feet. However, the return of John Grant after suspension will boost the attack and hopefully, this result is a blip in what will be a successful season.
Crashing to a 3-0 defeat at Stonebridge Road, the Bulls would have expected better but were shell-shocked by a 'Fleet side still revelling in their Ryman League victory last season and a strong start to their Conference season, holding Yeovil Town and pushing Dagenham & Redbridge close to a draw.
Hereford's day started well as Graham Turner named an unchanged line-up, but the 200 or so travelling supporters in a crowd of 1,130 were soon disappointed. Matt Baker's goal was put under much early pressure as the young goalkeeper fumbled on a couple of occasions, and after just seven minutes a Jimmy Jackson corner was headed onto the post by defender Nick Burton.
After losing Andy Tretton with a groin injury, things went from bad to worse. Midway through the half, Tostao Kwashi knocked over a free-kick from the Gravesend left which was flicked onto Nick Burton, who headed home to open the scoring.
The home side continued to dominate with only flashes of attacks from Hereford. Steve Guinan was clear through on goal when 'keeper Paul Wilkerson plucked the ball from his feet, and with eight minutes of the half remaining it was 2-0. Jackson swung over a corner from the right for Aaron Barnett to knock through to Burton, who again fired home a powerful nod.
In the closing minutes of the half, Ian Wright cleared a Gravesend corner when life was difficult at the back, and the home side were physically dominant which stifled Hereford's passing style.
The second half opened with Tony James suspected of a handball in the area. The referee waved away the appeals, and after fifty four minutes Rob Sawyer was thwarted in Hereford's best chance of the match. From the edge of the box, the former Barnet player hit a swerving volley goalwards which Wilkerson scrambled away from the near post.
United introduced new blood in the shape of Roert Purdie for Sawyer as the Bulls searched for a lifeline, but with nineteen minutes left Hereford almost went 3-0 down. A Mark Bentley curling shot from just outside the box struck the outside of Baker's far post, only to bounce behind for a corner. After Steve Guinan had picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Jimmy Jackson, Gravesend got their third. Tostao Kwashi dispossessed Matt Baker after the ball had been played back to him by Tony James, and easily rounded the former Hull stopper to make it 3-0. The move summed up what was a disappointing display for Hereford.
In the five minutes of added time, Danny Williams had to be taken off injured Matt Clarke picked up a yellow card, and his replacement Scott Voice wasted a perfect opening as the ball bobbled wide at the far post.
All in all, this was an awful performance by Hereford were never found their feet. However, the return of John Grant after suspension will boost the attack and hopefully, this result is a blip in what will be a successful season.
Written by Terry Goodwin - 24th August
2002.
| Gravesend & Northfleet | Hereford United |
| Paul Wilkerson | Matt Baker |
| Matt Lee (off, 86 minutes) | Matt Clarke |
| Aaron Barnett | Michael Rose |
| Nick Burton | Andrew Tretton (off, 16 minutes) |
| Jimmy Jackson (captain) | Ian Wright (captain) |
| Tostao Kwashi (off, 84 minutes) | Tony James |
| Steve McKimm | Jamie Pitman |
| Jimmy Strouts | Robbie Sawyer (off, 70 minutes) |
| Mark Bentley | Steve Guinan |
| Lee Hatch | Danny Williams (off, 90 minutes) |
| Paul Booth (off, 70 minutes) | Paul Parry |
| Subs | Subs |
| Che Stadhart (on, 70 minutes) | Neil Gough |
| Lewis Watts (on, 86 minutes) | Ken Griffiths |
| Anstin Berkley (on, 84 minutes) | Rob Purdie (on, 70 minutes) |
| Rob Owen | Richard Teesdale (on, 16 minutes) |
| Jamie Turner | Scott Voice (on, 90 minutes) |
| Yellow cards | Yellow cards |
| Jimmy Jackson (31 minutes, unsporting behaviour) | Jamie Pitman (58 minutes, unsporting behaviour) |
| Steve McKimm (40 minutes, foul) | Steve Guinan (78 minutes, unsporting behaviour) |
| Matt Clarke (90 minutes, foul) | |
| Red cards | Red cards |
| - | - |
| Scorers | Scorers |
| Nick Burton (23 minutes, 38 minutes) | - |
| Tostao Kwashi (82 minutes) | |
| Man of the Match | Not awarded |
| Attendance | 1130 |
| Referee | Mr. M. McCoy (Hearne Bay) |