Hereford United took all three points from their visit to The Lawn last night to put them safely into the play off positions and also to increase Forest Green Rovers relegation fears. Hereford are now in the play off positions by six points in front of sixth place Halifax Town, who are United's opponents on Saturday. Forest Green are three points adrift of Canvey, who have a game in hand of the relegation rivals.
Graham Turner would have named an unchanged side for the trip to Gloucestershire if he could, but an injury sustained by Darryl Taylor against York meant Danny Williams was drafted into the starting eleven from the bench. He kept the faith in the strike partnership of Lee Mills and Adam Stansfield and Danny Carey-Bertram returned to the bench after suspension.
The first chance of the game fell to Stansfield when Mills flicked on Mark Robinson's deep free kick but Dean Williams in the Rovers goal saved with ease. Stansfield and Rob Purdie combined well before the latter broke through the defence but had his shot deflected away from goal by Des Lyttle. Mills then provided Stansfield with a perfect opportunity when he found the run of United's top scorer with a defence splitting pass, but Stansfield was denied by the outstretched hand of Williams.
With almost twenty minutes gone the Bulls finally got their break and Stansfield opened the scoring. Robinson blasted a shot to the near post after his first corner was cleared, and thanks to a touch around the post from the 'keeper he got a second attempt. Stansfield rose at the near post unchallenged and headed in, much to the delight of the 1,386 away following. Mills should have done better when Jamie Pitman found him in space just inside the box, after Mills had won a free kick, but he fired straight at the goalie.
A couple of brilliant blocks, firstly by Andy Tretton on the line and then by Pitman, ensured that Forest Green remained behind at the break and, at the other end, Mills threatened in first half injury time when he smashed a half volley over the bar from twenty yards.
The home side started the second half well, however, they found themselves further behind with just four minutes of the half gone. D Williams played a ball out of the defence which, thanks to a touch off the head of Mills, found Stansfield with just one man to beat, which he did successfully, before he beat Williams low to his left from the edge of the box.
Man of the match Stansfield forced Williams into another save before Forest Green enjoyed a good spell in which they pressured Hereford, after they had replaced Lyttle with Robert Gill, on loan from Scarborough. Lewis Haldane, who was not fully fit, had a glorious chance to get one back but he hammered wide having cut in from the right, passing Tretton on his way into the box.
With just under half an hour left FGR finally scored; they're the first side to net against the Bulls in six games. Paul Warhurst met Jon Beswetherick's free kick on the left, conceded by D Williams, and powered his header beyond Craig Mawson and into the back of the net. Soon after, Mills was replaced by Carey-Bertram but this failed to ease the pressure on the defence. Tamika Mkandawire got a vital touch with his head to put a dangerous cross from Mo Harkin wide.
The Bulls weathered the storm though, and increased their lead in a rare attack with ten minutes remaining. D Williams' throw in was controlled by Carey-Bertram on the right before play was switched to Robinson who found the run of Stansfield on the left. He crossed to the near post where Carey-Bertram raced in to convert for Hereford's third.
Pitman and Stansfield were taken off late on and Graham Hyde and Leroy Williams were given short run outs. Once again, this was not the most impressive performance by the Bulls, however, they will be delighted with the outcome meaning they are still joint on points with second place Carlisle. The wonderful turnout from Hereford fans must also be applauded, as they made up over half of the record Conference attendance at The Lawn of 2,142.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Green, Tretton, Mkandawire, Robinson, Purdie, Stanley, Pitman, Danny Williams, Stansfield, Mills. Subs: Travis, Scott, Hyde, Leroy Williams, Carey-Bertram.
FGR Team: Dean Williams, Lyttle , Warhurst, Searle, Beswetherick, Gadsby, Rogers, Harris, Harkin, Haldane, Griffin. Subs: Gill, McAuley, Davis, Perrin, Green.