Hereford United put in a five star performance as they trounced promotion chasers Darlington at Edgar Street. The head of Richard Rose got the ball rolling early on, before Joe Colbeck levelled. Theo Robinson ensured United went into the interval with a lead, before goals from Ben Smith, Trevor Benjamin and Clint Easton in the second half sealed an emphatic victory.
Graham Turner opted for changes, some enforced, and some not, after last weekend's draw at Peterborough. As expected, Lionel Ainsworth returned on the right wing with Luke Webb dropping to the bench. With Karl Broadhurst suspended, there was a space to fill at centre half, and Rose was chosen to partner John McCombe. Liverpool loanee Robbie Threlfall was also handed a debut, with Kris Taylor demoted to the subs bench, joining ex Darlo striker Simon Johnson. Lining up for Darlington was former Bull, Rob Purdie, who started on the left wing. Julian Joachim partnered Tommy Wright up front, with Pawel Abbot out injured, whilst Colbeck made a second appearence at Edgar Street this season, after signing for Darlington on loan in recent weeks.
The opener came just four minutes in for United, after Ben Smith's shot was deflected out. Easton floated a corner into the danger area, and Rose nodded powerfully past David Stockdale in front of the Meadow End. A rare sight for both teams; Darlington had only conceded once away from home this season whilst Hereford very rarely score from corners. Robinson scuffed a shot wide, before Rose again got his head to an Easton corner but this time, Stockdale managed to hold on. Joachim intelligently held up before playing a neat pass to Wright, but Darlo's top scorer could only shoot into the arms of Wayne Brown. Stockdale again was tested, this time by Threlfall, as he struck a powerful free-kick towards goal but the keeper pushed the ball away to safety. Good link-up play from Benjamin and Robinson, saw the latter strike a half volley goalwards with Stockdale again managing to get a hand to the ball.
The Bulls were made to rue the missed chances, as Darlington equalised. Joachim picked up the ball on the left hand side, and turned past Trent McClenahan before playing a low ball into Colbeck, who struck into the net, despite the best efforts of Brown to deny him. It didn't take United to hit back, five minutes after Colbeck's goal, Robinson put The Bulls back in control. Threlfall took a quick throw, and some neat, quick football saw Smith touch the pass to Benjamin, before the big man's sublime touch into the path of Robinson. The on-loan Watford striker clinically finished from inside the box, and the lead was Hereford's once more. United continued to play some good stuff in the first half, but created few chances, Ainsworth firing well wide after a good burst of pace. Purdie curled well over, and a long range Wright header was gathered easily by Brown. Colbeck came close to adding to his tally late on, after a good run but he could only shoot the wrong side of Brown's post.
Likewise the first half, Hereford soon were celebrating an early goal in the second. Benjamin caused problems on the edge of the area, and the ball fell in the path of Smith. An attempted clearence struck Smith, and rebounded straight into the back of the net, to the delight of the home supporters. John McCombe headed an Easton corner over the bar, whilst a deflected dipping Colbeck volley went close. However, the game was wrapped up just shy of the hour mark, when Benjamin scored his sixth of the season. Ainsworth's quick touch, and burst of pace saw him race past Tim Ryan, and the winger put a low ball in for Benjamin to touch past the helpless Stockdale. Dave Penney opted to change, with Michael Cummins replacing Ryan. They failed to test Brown though, with firstly Joachim heading wide, before the lively Colbeck struck a low shot past the post.
Gregg Blundell replaced Clark Keltie, as the away side looked to enhance their attacking options, but it was The Bulls who were looking to add to their already impressive lead, with Easton firing a long-range shot wide, and Robinson also shooting past the post, after some great strength from Benjamin allowed him to race in on goal. On loan Cardiff striker Matt Green replaced the ineffective Wright. Darlington had chances to come back into the game, but Brown was equal to the efforts. Blundell's well directed header was tipped wide by Brown, before yet another effort from Colbeck bounced awkwardly but Brown again managed to push clear.
Johnson was given a short stint to impress against his former employers, with young Robinson making way. Minutes later, Webb also came on, with Ainsworth this time making way. A long diagonal ball went over Rose's head, and Green picked up, before cutting back to Colbeck, who again shot, but his shot summed up Darlington's day, as it flew well over the bar. Stockdale saved from a Webb half volley, before Benjamin made way for Taylor in the 90th minute. United weren't finished though, and some more fine football resulted in the fifth. McClenahan linked up superbly with Johnson, playing a one-two, before cutting back for Easton, who tapped in, to seal his second in as many games.
It was an excellent performance by Hereford, as Darlington were blown away by the quick flowing football played by United. The away side looked a good unit, and they too tried to play their football on the floor, but they couldn't cope with pace and swiftness of United. Threlfall made an impressive debut at left back, and Rose looked very comfortable at centre half. As the scoreline suggest, Hereford's attackers played well, in front of 3516 fans, with the travelling support of 161. Mansfield visit Edgar Street next, and it promises to be a good encounter, as they too scored five today, with a home thrashing of Macclesfield.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, McCombe, Rose, Threlfall, Ainsworth, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, Taylor, Gwynne, Webb, Johnson.
Darlington: Stockdale, Austin, White, Foster, Ryan, Colbeck, Ravenhill, Keltie, Purdie, Joachim, Wright.
Subs: Oakes, Miller, Cummins, Green, Blundell.