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United progress to Semi-Final
Hereford United progressed to the semi finals of the Herefordshire FA Senior Cup against a hard working Wellington side this afternoon. However, the final result 6-2 was not a fair reflection on the game as a whole. Wellington battled hard and until the final quarter of an hour the score was 3-2.
The Bulls were without five players who were missing through suspension or injury. Graham Hyde and Andy Tretton were serving bans and David Brown, Danny Carey-Bertram and Ryan Green all had knocks.
Simon Travis, who impressed in place of Green, set up the first attack after a nervy start by the home side. The right wing back skinned three players before laying the ball off to Danny Williams but his shot was blocked as was Mark Robinson's who was first to the rebound. Williams took the resulting corner and Tom Smith was unlucky to see his shot go just over.
Craig Stanley went close following a one-two with Rob Purdie before Adam Stansfield opened the scoring. Danny Williams struck a curling free kick which was pamled away by the 'keeper Marcus Priday but Stansfield was on hand to tap in from close range. Stansfield then released Travis down the right who crossed for Stanley, but his powerful effort was straight at Priday. Stansfield had the ball in the net again but was in an offside position when he deflected Stanley's volley.
Jamie Pitman smashed a shot towards goal from thirty yards, but the goalkeeper dived to his right and caught the ball superbly. Purdie should have doubled the lead but after Williams had rounded Priday and knocked the ball back to Purdie. However, he chipped the ball around a defender and inches wide of the far post. Three minutes before half time United grabbed a second. Williams had a shot blocked that fell to Robinson who volleyed into an unguarded net as the goalkeeper was on the ground after diving for Williams' previous effort.
Hereford were shocked when they conceded at the start of the second half. First half substitute Rob Parsons scored from close range after the ball had been layed off to him following a long ball from defence. Williams restored the two goal advantage with a brilliant free kick from the edge of the box that curled away from the goalie and into the top corner. However, Matt Williams made it 3-2 within two minutes with a free kick equal to Williams' from a similar positition. Ben Scott had attempted to smother the ball, but let it run loose and was forced to challenge for it on the edge of the box. He made a sliding challenge worthy of card, but was not booked for it.
Matt Pugh was replaced by Michael Prince for Wellington and shortly after United made their first change, Tony James who is still feeling a thigh strain was replaced by Daniel March after an hour. Rob Purdie was taken off for Andrew Williams. Tamika Mkandawire scored a fourth, heading in after the ball had rebounded off the cross bar from a Smith half volley. It was evident that United were the fitter team by then and it was no suprise when the Bulls netted two more. Sam Gwynne, on for Pitman, was knocked over in the area and so the referee awarded United a penalty. Danny Williams calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Andy Williams struck the post from twenty yards with a low left footed drive before Stansfield netted his fourth in two games from close range to seal a 6-2 victory.
The 640 spectators will not have been too happy with Hereford's display as they failed to get the passing game together like they did in midweek against WBA. Hereford will be dissapointed with the defensive performance as there were a few wrong decisions and errors.
There was no appearance by Jamie Smith (Gosling) who has been on trial at the club. This may be because he is on trial and has not signed for the club as yet. However, Mark Robinson played as did Daniel March. Both players have been on trial at the club which suggests that they may have signed contracts at Edgar Street.
HUFC Team: Ben Scott, Simon Travis, Mark Robinson, Tamika Mkandawire, Tony James, Tom Smith, Danny Williams, Jamie Pitman, Craig Stanley, Adam Stansfield, Rob Purdie. Subs: Andrew Williams, Adam Ding, Daniel March, Sam Gwynne.
Wellington Team: Marcus Priday, Joe Parker, Andy Clarker, Mark Fish, Dale Withers, Richard Jones, Matt Williams, Matt Pugh, Michael Craig, Andy Price, Keith Jones. Subs: Sam Lloyd, Rob Parsons, Steve Brotherwood, Michael Prince, Bryn Watkins.