Hereford United were 2-0 victors at Edgar Street this afternoon against a resistent Burton Albion side. United scored early and late on to defeat Albion, who have become a bit of a banana skin for Graham Turner's side in recent seasons. Turner started with the same side that lost against Accrington last weekend, with Matt Bailey and Danny Carey-Bertram recovering from knocks to take part.
Dale Anderson lasted for just ten minutes before he was replaced due to injury by Shaun Harrad. The first intent came from the visitors via Andy Todd, and he came even closer moments later with a shot that flew inches over Wayne Brown's crossbar. However, it was Hereford who made the break through with little more than twenty minutes gone.
Tamika Mkandawire played a long ball out of the defence, which was edged on by Bailey for his strike partner. Carey-Bertram raced, and beat, 'keeper Saul Deeney to the ball and lobbed over the advancing 'keeper, before getting clattered by him for his fourth goal in five games. Hereford played out the half in good form, and could have gone further in front. Craig Stanley's half volley was well tipped over from twenty yards before Mkandawire saw a header hooked off the line.
Stanley had another good chance when he, surprisingly, found himself with a clear view of goal but his low shot was gathered by Deeney. In a rare Burton attack Jon Shaw got in behind the defence but Alex Jeannin was back to make an important block while, at the other end, Andy Ferrell shot just wide when Bailey touched down for him. Albion made a second sub before the break, again due to injury, with Andy Todd being replaced by Andy Ducros.
Man of the match Mkandawire almost doubled Hereford's lead moments after the restart, but he somehow directed his header, from Jeannin's corner, wide from inside the six yard box. Burton began to put some pressure on The Bulls and had a few efforts on goal, but nothing that Brown couldn't deal with. Perhaps the most nervy moment was when Mkandawire gifted the ball to Ducros just inside the half, and he went to chip Brown, but the 'keeper back-pedelled to make what was in the end an easy catch.
Stanley again threatened but this time his thunderous shot smashed against a defender while Shaw headed wide for the visitors. Stanley was then, strangly, replaced by Jamie Pitman when it seemed that he was having a good game. Brown had to be on his toes to deny Terry Henshaw, whose shot was heading for the top corner. Albion did manage to get the ball in the net but it was ruled offside.
Turner then made a second change, and once again it seemed to be the wrong person who was replaced. Carey-Bertram, rather than Bailey, made way for Andy Williams, who seemed to spur United into life and it was the youngster who won the decisive penalty. He took control of Jon Brady's ball into the middle before being upended by Darren Stride, who received his marching orders having picked up two yellow cards. Tony James stepped up to fire into the bottom corner infront of the Meadow End, sending Deeney the wrong way and wrapping up the victory.
Despite emerging comfortable winners, and scoring more than once for the first time since the away win at Crawley, United still did not impress most of the 2,493 spectators, including 155 Burton fans. The fluent passing that Hereford have become customised with still appears to be missing this season and it is making the team boring to watch. The three points are what matter though, and United move up one place but are eight points off the top.
HUFC: Brown, Green, Mkandawire, James, Jeannin, Purdie, Ferrell, Stanley, Brady, Bailey, Carey-Bertram. Subs: Blewitt, Beckwith, Mawson, Pitman, Williams.
BAFC: Deeney, Corbett, Tinson, Austin, Webster, Hall, Bell, Stride, Todd, Anderson, Shaw. Subs: Harrad, Graves, Ducros, Crane, Henshaw.