Hereford United's pre-season campaign ended with a 2-0 victory over League One side Cheltenham Town, but the game was over-shadowed by an unfortunate clash of heads between Town defenders Michael Wylde and Shane Duff, with Wylde being taken to hospital after lengthy treatment on the field. Goals in either half for Hereford from striking duo Trevor Benjamin and Steve Guinan handed United the victory.
Goalkeeper Chris Weale made his debut, with a loan move looking likely, whilst Benjamin partnered Guinan up front against Guinan's former employers. After a slow start, Trent McClenahan was on hand to clear off the line after a powerful header from Steve Gillespie. Paul Connor also went close for Cheltenham with a towering header, but the game looked equal in all departments. The opening goal came just after the half hour mark, when a long ball from Karl Broadhurst, was bought down by Benjamin, who managed to gain control before poking over the 'keeper and into the corner. Cheltenham looked for an instant reply, and Andy Lindegaard, linked with Hereford recently, controlled a through ball, but his shot was inches wide of Weale's post. It was then the turn of Guinan to try and get on the scoresheet, but his fierce volley from an Easton free-kick went over.
Theo Robinson took the place of Trevor Benjamin, who appeared to have had a knock in the back, at the start of the second half, and the Watford youngster almost immediately made an impact when he picked up a loose back-pass from Ian Ridley. Robinson rounded the keeper, but his shot wasn't powerful enough and Duff managed to slide the ball out for a corner. Town subsitute Ashley Vincent provided a fine deep cross for strike partner Gillespie, but the former Bristol City front man could only fire over from a decent position. Then came the clash of heads between the Cheltenham defenders, Wylde, a substitute himself and Duff both went for a long ball, and collided. The player's reactions made it evident that both players needed immediate medical attention, with Guinan putting Wylde into the recovery position. The treatment lasted for over 10 minutes; luckily Duff was able to leave the pitch with the help of a couple of other players, but Wylde needed a stretcher.
The game never got going after the incident, despite Guinan adding a second for Hereford. The move started with Guinan tracking back and winning a tackle, before Ainsworth sprinted down the right hand side, before crossing for Easton. The former Gillingham player cut back a pass for Guinan who fired powerfully into the corner. The rest of the game, saw a flurry of subs for either side, with Kris Taylor, Ciaran Donnolly, John McCombe, Sam Gwynne, Jordan Fitzpatrick and Marcus Palmer all gaining match practice.
A total of 1003, including 176 from Cheltenham, saw a fairly equal game, with Hereford the side to take their chances. The Bulls looked well organised, with Broadhurst and Beckwith both looking solid at the back, whilst the introduction of Toumani Diagouraga in partnership with Ben Smith looks particularly effective. With Rotherham now less than a week away, the loan signings of Weale, who was rarely troubled, but impressive never the less, Diagouraga and Robinson will hopefully be completed and give Graham Turner some very decent options for his starting line up next weekend. On a final note, lets hope that the injuries sustained by the Cheltenham duo Wylde and Duff are not too serious, and both are back in actions for The Robins in the near future.
Hereford: Weale, McClenahan, Rose, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Ainsworth, Easton, Diagouraga, Smith, Guinan, Benjamin.
Subs: McCombe, Gwynne, Taylor, Donnolly, Fitzpatrick, Palmer, Robinson.
Cheltenham: Higgs, Gill, Ridley, Townsend, Duff, Lindegaard, Finnigan, Bird, Myrie-Williams, Connor, Gillespie.
Subs: Brown, Puddy, Manship, Wylde, Gallinagh, Ledgister, Gill, Connoly, Foley, Yao, Vincent, Reid.