Hereford United defeated York City 2-0 at Edgar Street this afternoon, ensuring they continue their 100% record against the teams in the lower reaches of the Conference table. The Bulls will also be happy that they've managed to keep another clean sheet, extending their run to five games without conceding.
The hosts named an unchanged starting eleven once again although Leroy Williams was back after a three match ban but had to settle for a place on the subs bench. Brian Smikle made way for the loanee from Walsall.
The Bulls were positive from the start as they knew they'd have to attack a stern York City defence. Jamie Pitman lofted a long ball forward for Lee Mills to head down into the path of Rob Purdie but his cross was deflected behind for a corner kick. United continued to attack York, who were playing with ten men behind the ball when United attacked, and got their reward with just two minutes gone.
Craig Stanley's high ball was bound for Adam Stansfield but a blatant push by Kyle Armstrong meant that Hereford were rewarded a penalty. Purdie stood up, with usual kick taker Tony James out, and placed the ball into the bottom corner, sending 'keeper Chris Poter the wrong way. After a mistake by Craig Mawson at the other end a minute later, the Minstermen were rewarded a free kick twenty yards out. The defensive wall deflected the ball into the air and it was met by a overhead kick by David Merris, which failed to trouble Mawson.
Ryan Green's ball down the right found Darryl Taylor, after a good flick by Mills, and his cross caused confusion between the 'keeper and Armstrong, with the latter eventually hooking the ball off the line. Green was in action at the other end, heading a cross clear to the edge of the box where it was met by a first time effort by Levent Yalcin but he was denied by a great Mawson save, before the game started to fade after an exciting start.
The game sprung back into life with ten or so minutes to go until the break when Mawson released the ball quickly to Taylor on the right. After a good run he found Mills to his right, but Mills just missed the far post with a low drive from inside the box. After forty minutes, Mills cut back to Pitman from the by line, and his cross, touched on by Tamika Mkandawire, was headed into his own net by Shaun Smith. In injury time at the end of the half, York were almost back in the game when Ben Jackson run through the defence but was denied by an outstretched arm by Mawson, who diverted the ball around the post.
Green paced down the right at the start of the second half and picked out Stansfield on the edge of the box, who laid off for Stanley but his effort failed to trouble Porter. Leroy Williams was introduced to the Edgar Street crowd in place of Mills, who had a well deserved rest. Moments later a second sub was forced when Taylor went down, after having his shot blocked for a corner, holding his knee. Danny Williams took his place.
Porter was called into action once again, when Stansfield was sent away from a good pass down the wing by Mark Robinson, but the goalie saved well with his legs. Robinson's free kick was headed down by Stansfield for Mkandawire, but he poked the ball wide as he stuck out a leg. Mawson produced another fine save to keep his clean sheet intact, as he pushed away Jackson's scissors kick. Leroy Williams fired well wide after being played in on goal by Stansfield's ball over the top before Untied made their final change bringing Graham Hyde on for Pitman.
Purdie won a corner, which he then swung in for Leroy Williams but he failed to make a full connection and his shot flew wide. Danny Williams then sent Leroy away; he past his marker with ease before seeing his effort, heading for the top corner, turned over by Porter. In the last minute man of the match Green shot inches wide of the far post from the left of the box.
The Bulls will be pleased that they got the vital three points, even if the performance was not as good as the last three or four have been. The game offered little in entertainment value for the 2,973, including 126 from York, who attended, but that will not bother anyone to do with Hereford United. That job was done sucessfully and all attentions will be turned to the Forest Green match on Tuesday night.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Green, Tretton, Mkandawire, Robinson, Taylor, Pitman, Stanley, Purdie, Mills, Stansfield. Subs: Travis, Scott, Hyde, D Williams, L Williams.
YCFC Team: Porter, Law, Merris, Armstrong, Smith, Donovan, Yalcin, Dunning, Davis, Jackson, P D Robinson. Subs: Stockdale, Stewart, Webster, Groves, Robinson.