Hereford United are making a name for themselves with their impressive come-backs and today fought back from 2-0 down against run-away League leaders Accrington Stanley, who came to Edgar Street boasting a ten game winning streak. A win for the Lancashire side would have equalled Hereford United's Conference Record of eleven games won in a row.
One forced change was made from the trip to Gravesend and Northfleet, with the suspended Daryl Taylor beginning a three match ban. In came Nicky Nicolau, back from injury on the left wing and Robbie King played on the opposite flank. And despite United's youthful, injury hit side, they had the better of the opening stages against the Champions elect. Andy Ferrell, back in the centre of midfield alongside Craig Stanley, won a corner off his early free kick, which deflected off the wall before King had a good opening. Andy Williams broke on the right, pulled the ball back into the box where King arrived, only to blaze over from twelve yards. King then turned provider for Williams, but the latter's header was easily saved.
Accrington reacted well though and began to venture forwards more often, pushing the Bulls onto the back foot. Stanley, who'd been breaking up Accy attacks well in the midfield, was back quickly to put a dangerous Todd cross behind for a corner, which was taken short to Ian Craney and then to Romauld Bobo, whose effort was deflected just wide of the post. The dangerous Gary Roberts shot over following the second corner kick, and he was again off target minutes later, but the visitors had the lead with thirty seven minutes on the clock. And to add insult to injury it was, almost inevitably, the only former Hereford player on the pitch, David Brown, who netted. Brown stood with his back to goal at a tight angle, as a throw in was taken. It bounced up nicely for him and he hooked the ball over his shoulder, over the head of Wayne Brown, and into the far side of the net for 1-0.
United reacted positively though, and Stuart Fleetwood's powerful run found its way to Williams, who saw his shot go wide having taken a touch off a defender and minutes before the break Williams had the ball in the back of the net. Stanley delivered a free kick, which 'keeper Rob Elliot came to claim but let loose, and Williams was quickly on hand to turn the ball into the back of the net. However, referee M Mullarkey saw a foul on Elliot and ruled the goal out, and so the league leaders went in at the break a goal to the good.
Craney opened the second half with a booking, which set the tone for the next ten to fifthteen minutes or so - the game became scrappy and neither side really threatened each others goal. It was Craig Stanley who managed to carve an opening though as he picked out yet another excellent pass into the run of King, who'd advanced into the penalty box. King beat his marker but was then taken down by the on rushing goalie Elliot, who clattered the youngster to the ground and the ball bounced away. Williams gathered but shot against an opponent and out for a throw in, but the Hereford players and fans were incensed that Mr. Mullarkey had failed to give a penalty. Matters were then made worse for United as Accrington broke away, won a corner and, against the run of play, doubled their advantage.
Craney fiercely fired in the corner to the near post where the ball took a wicked deflection off skipper Tamika Mkandawire and flew into the back of the net, leaving Wayne Brown with no chance. The game was all but settled, as was the league title, and a reserved atmosphere filled Edgar Street. That was, however, until Ryan Green stepped up and burst out of defence. He flew forwards and was on the end of a one-two with King on the right and delivered a low cross into the box, which was missed by Williams but not by Nicolau who floated in at the far post, smashed in a goal bound effort that was cleared off the line by Danny Ventre. With his hand according to Mr Mullarkey. The red card was issued, Rob Purdie, filling in well at left back, stepped up but missed! Elliot flung himself to his left, got a hand to it, and pushed the ball against the bar and it fell back into play. Thankfully for Purdie, Fleetwood was the first man to react and he volleyed in from close range. Mayhem in the Meadow End, and it was game on.
The Bulls then ran riot, flying forward at every opportunity with even Mkandawire getting forward. Dean Beckwith thought he had equaliser when he towered high at the far post to meet a corner, but was to be denied by a man on the line. Williams was next on hand to go oh-so-close, when he got around his man on the edge of the box but saw his well hit low shot excellently pushed behind for a corner by Elliot, yet to lose with Accrington, and then Mkandawire headed just wide at the far post from another corner. Time was running out though and it almost seemed too little, too late when Ferrell was denied by another great stop. His low drive from twenty yards seemed destined for the bottom corner but an outstretched hand from Elliot diverted it just wide and then a boost was handed for all but the 283 Accrington fans in a highest crowd of the season of 4,497 at Edgar Street. Six minutes of injury time, accumulated from the sending off, some time wasting by Accy players and non-playing staff. The Bulls took full advantage.
A fantastic passing move, triggered by man of the match Craig Stanley, found its way into the feet of Williams, who brilliantly flicked the ball over the defence and perfectley into the path of the run of Nicolau, who beat the advancing Elliot with a wonderful full volley in front of the Meadow End. The fans were delerious and wanted a third, but time ran out, thankfully for Accrington, who were crumbling fast.
It was not the result that United needed to really have any chance of catching Accrington, but all the same the side showed great character to fight back and gain a deserved draw against the sure to be future champions. After the first hour of play it looked as though it would definately not be Hereford's day, but with the help of the crowd and a red card, it made for an extremely entertaining final half hour. Hereford now, though, need to follow up this result with a win against Southport on Tuesday evening as they hope to cut into Accrington's sixteen point lead.
HUFC: Brown, Green, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Purdie, Nicolau, Ferrell, Stanley, King, Fleetwood, Williams. Subs: James, Haliday, Mawson, Gwynne, Carey-Bertram.
ASFC: Elliot, Ventre, Welch, Edwards, Boco, Williams, Todd, Roberts, Craney, Mullin, Brown. Subs: Alcock, Boyd, Jagielka, Cook, Mangan.