Hereford United collected an excellent three points against play off rivals Stevenage Borough at Broadhall Way this afternoon. The victory means three straight league wins for United and three clean sheets for 'keeper Craig Mawson. It is hoped that they will use this platform to put together a sequence, like last season, as they make a final push for the end of season play offs.
With Danny Carey-Bertram and Leeroy Williams suspended, Graham Turner decided to draft in Lee Mills from the subs bench to partner Adam Stansfield in the attack. Danny Williams was back after an ankle injury, but could only make the bench as did Simon Travis, who had a late fitness test.
United survived the hosts early onslaught, which saw Darren Stamp go close with a header and Anthony Elding go close, before Mills shot at 'keeper Alan Julian and then, moments later, had a shot from a good position, having received the ball from Craig Stanley, pushed away and turned behind by a defender at the far post. Mills again found himself in a good position following good work from Rob Purdie and then Stansfield, who played his strike partner in on goal, but Mills took a touch too many and was foiled by Julian. The resulting corner was headed back into the danger zone by Mills and met by a Tamika Mkandawire over head kick, which was headed off the line by Jason Goodliffe.
Elding came close again when Dino Maamria knocked the ball down for him to flick goal bound, but Mawson managed to push his effort onto the roof of the net. Stamp knocked a short pass to Elding just outside of the box for Boro's best shot of the half, but he was denied by the fingertips of a scrambling Mawson. Ryan Green's long ball, cushioned by Stansfield, was volleyed wide by Mills at the end of an exciting first half.
The Bulls came out on the charge at the second half, much like Stevenage had at the beginning of the game. Stanley sent Stansfield through on goal on the right flank and the Hereford top scorer lifted the ball over the advancing goalie, leaving the 500 traveling supporters behind the goal anticipating the opener, but Goodliffe somehow got back to hook the ball off the line. Jamie Pitman found Stansfield inside the area with a high curling ball, and he fired a scorching shot towards the top corner but it was theatrically turned away by Julian.
The Bulls were looking threatening and Purdie's cross to the far post was met by a defender, heading the ball to safety. Mark Robinson's corner led to a goal mouth scramble, which was eventually cleared for a throw in. Play was switched to the left, where Purdie fired a low left footed cross along the six yard line for Stansfield to run onto and knock into the back of the net for the only goal of the game.
Maamria was booked soon after the fifty fifth minute goal, and Graham Westley made his first change with half an hour left. George Boyd was introduced after a spell out with injury in place of Darren Stamp. The Bulls continued to attack though and it was once again Stanley creating opportunities for the front men. His through ball was well timed for Mills, who had a run in on goal from the left. He got into the area but could only shoot straight at the 'keeper from an angle.
Boyd shot over the bar from a good position after some Boro pressure before man of the match Mills was in action at the other end once again, having his twenty five yard effort deflected behind. Purdie swung in the corner and Mills met it, but headed it over the bar. Ronnie Henry and Jon Nurse were subbed on within a five minute period as Boro looked to get back on level terms. Andy Tretton and Mkandawire were solid in the United defence and aided them through the last ten minutes in which the hosts threw everyone forward. A couple of superb blocks denied them in a scramble in the penalty box, before United were handed a free kick for handball.
Elding came close to equalising when he headed beyond Mawson, but Tretton was well placed to head over the bar for a corner. Dannie Bulman fired a free kick from twenty five yards with five minutes remaining, which deflected off the defensive wall before dropping an inch or so wide of the far post. Williams was brought on to replace Darryl Taylor in the dieing moments by Graham Turner as the Bulls saw out the remaining minutes to claim an excellent away victory.
A very exciting game was witnessed by 2,614, who created a good atmosphere at a vital game for both teams. Hereford now find themselves back in the play off places for the first time in a few weeks, and they will be hoping for a similar performance, and result, against Carlisle on Tuesday night in another massive game for both sides. If United defeated the Cumbrians, then Barnet will be crowned Conference champions and will return to the football league.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Green, Tretton, Mkandawire, Robinson, Taylor, Stanley, Pitman, Purdie, Stansfield, Mills. Subs: Travis, Scott, Hyde, D Williams, A Williams.
SBFC Team: Julian, Hocking, Goodliffe, Laker, Gregory, Brady, Bulman, Quinn, Elding, Stamp, Maamria. Subs: Henry, Boyd, Jarret, Westhead, Nurse.