Hereford United put in a solid away performance to knock a Mansfield side, who are currently rock bottom of the Football League, out of the LDV Vans Trophy Northern Section first round. Hereford's side saw many changes from the one that defeated Burton last Saturday, which saw the inclusion of Guy Ipoua although only as a substitute. Craig Mawson was named in goal and there were also places for Jamie Pitman and Andy Williams, who both came on as subs against Burton.
Adrian Littlejohn had the first sniff of goal when he capitalised on a slip by Tony James but he shot early, and his effort was wide. The first real attack on the Stags' goal was after twelve minutes, and it was then when United took the lead. A good move found Jon Brady in possession on the right and his cross was controlled by Rob Purdie whose shot was parried away by the 'keeper. The ball fell to Rhys Day in the six yard box but his clearance was denied by Matt Bailey, who then simply poked the ball home from inside the box.
The Stag's replied well but still Mawson didn't have much to deal with. Adam Birchall's shot was off target while Bailey had another good chance for The Bulls, but he sliced Brady's cross onto the roof of the net. Mansfield could have been level before the break though, when a loose ball found its way in behind the Hereford defence where Adrian Littlejohn was waiting, but Mawson was quickly off his line to make a good stop.
The hosts came out with seemingly renewed confidence for the second half and had a good spell of pressure, where they had Hereford camped inside their own half. Alex Jeannin had to get back quickly to make a recovering block as Jake Buxton threatened before Gavin Peers saw a long range effort palmed around the post by Mawson. Andy Ferrell and Jeannin both had efforts on goal, but neither really troubled Jason White.
Pitman, who teamed up well with man of the match Ferrell in the middle, created two great chances within minutes of each other as The Whites pushed for a second goal. His through ball firstly set away Williams who was denied when one on one with White and then Purdie was to benefit from another defence splitting pass but his low drive was palmed away.
With fifteen minutes left, Graham Turner introduced Ipoua in the place of Bailey and ten minutes after Graham Evans followed, in place of Williams. James headed wide from a Purdie cross and late on Ipoua hit the side netting with a powerful effort from a narrow angle, when perhaps it would have been better to centre.
United should be very pleased with the performance as they managed to rest a couple of first team players and still progress to the second round against League opposition. Something of concern maybe that Ryan Green, Ferrell, Pitman and Brady were all booked during the course of the game and will all be an extra card closer to a suspension. The 90 away supporters, in a crowd of 1,393, sang all the way through what was a reasonably entertaining game, in a very decent all seater stadium, unlike the home fans who made less noise than you'd hear in a library!
HUFC: Mawson, Green, James, Mkandawire, Jeannin, Purdie, Ferrell, Pitman, Brady, Williams, Bailey. Subs: Beckwith, Stanley, Lewis, Evans, Ipoua.
MTFC: White, Jacobs, Talbot, Day, Baptiste, Lloyd, McLachlan, Dawson, Arnold, Birchall, Littlejohn. Subs: Jelleyman , Buxton, Peers, Heron, Coke .