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Thursday, October 02, 2003

Defensive options for Kingfield trip

Hereford United will aim to cement their position at the top of the Nationwide Conference on Saturday when they make the trip to Woking, kick off 3pm.

The Bulls hold first place on goal difference, but with Chester City facing a tricky trip to Dagenham & Redbridge, Graham Turner's men could push further ahead at the summit.

However, United have a defensive dilemma, with Andy Tretton still missing and Tony James a slight doubt after he had four stitches removed from a head wound picked up last Saturday, as Hereford drew 3-3 with Gravesend & Northfleet. Tamika Mkandawire, who confirmed his move to Edgar Street on a month loan today, is also in contention.

United boss Turner told the Hereford Times: "Woking have made a reasonable start to the season, while Northwich (who Hereford play on Tuesday) have struggled and are one from bottom. But, from our point of view, these are two games that we must try to take six points from.

"As a team we will need to defend much better than we did against Gravesend and we need to start taking a higher ratio of chances. Burton and Gravesend both showed us the benefits of taking chances.

"There's no hiding when you are top of the table because Burton gave their best performance of the season against us and Gravesend kept going until the end. At this level, it's important to score the opening goal."

Woking, who drew 3-3 at Accrington Stanley on Saturday, are eager to attack Hereford and not sit back an defend. Manager Glenn Cockerill told the Woking News & Mail: “When I was at Southampton we used to win games 3-2 and 4-3 and my philosophy is to try and score more than the opposition.”

The Kingfield-based side will play a 4-3-3 formation against Hereford, but they will miss Jamie Campbell, who is away after the death of his father.