Hereford United progressed to the third round of the FA Cup after defeating Hartlepool United 2-0 at Edgar Street. Goals in either half from John McCombe and Theo Robinson ensured United go into the hat as ball number 63 tommorow afternoon.
Just one change was made from last weekend's draw with Accrington Stanley, and it was enforced. Richard Rose has been ruled out for up to four weeks, so Wolves loanee Lee Collins replaced him at right back. Sam Gwynne started once again on right wing with Ryan Flynn still unavailable due to injury. Hartlepool named Ian Moore, James Brown and Richard Barker in their starting line-up. All three have been regular scorers; both Brown and Barker netted against Hereford last season. Godwin Antwi started at the heart of the defence, and would have been a familiar face to Robbie Threlfall; both play for Liverpool.
It was J.Brown who showed his quality early on, after a huge Jan Budtz throw had allowed him to find space. He cut inside Threlfall but shot over the bar. Trevor Benjamin also had his goalie to thank, after Wayne Brown had kicked long, and the big striker took the ball down on his chest, before striking goalwards, but Budtz saved with ease. Theo Robinson's back post flick had to be pushed away by Budtz, before Hereford were dealt a major blow when Threlfall went down whilst tracking J.Brown. The Liverpool loanee appeared to have injured his leg, and the referee immediately stopped proceedings to allow treatment. A stretcher was needed, and Trent McClenahan was introduced. The Aussie slotted in at his normal right back position, with Collins switching to left back.
J.Brown continued to cause problems, with a snap-shot going wide, and a tricky cross being slid out for a corner by McCombe. A deep cross by Collins was met at the back post by Gwynne, but his header was weak and Budtz claimed it, whilst some good work from Toumani Diagouraga, and a one two with Kris Taylor saw the Frenchman get in on goal. However, it took a fine tackle to stop Diagouraga from shooting; the ball though fell to Benjamin, and the striker should have done better when his header went wide. Michael Nelsen struck at W.Brown from long range before McCombe broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time. Robinson won a free-kick, after his cross had been handled, and Taylor went over to take it. The versatile midfielder curled a cross in, and it fell to the feet of McCombe, after others had missed it, who tapped in from close range.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, J.Brown looking lively and shooting from all angles and distances. His strike though hit the top of the Blackfriars end, after he had picked up just outside the box. Gary Liddle replaced Jamie McCunnie, as Hartlepool looked for a way back into the game, whilst soon after Steve Guinan replaced Benjamin, who appeared to have pulled a muscle. On loan Blackburn youngster Eddie Nolan shot tamely at W.Brown, before Guinan nearly added to the United's lead. He linked up with fellow substitute McClenahan down the right hand side, before dummying a shot to get past the defender. When Guinan did shoot, a deflection had Budtz scrambling, but the ball trickled past the post. Michael Mackay replaced the ineffective Ian Moore as Hartlepool continued to look for an opening, but they were finding it hard against a resillient Bulls' defence.
Liddle struck a free-kick past the post after Diagouraga had given away a soft free-kick, before Barker missed a golden opportunity. J.Brown was again in the thick of the action, as he raced into the box, before his cross bobbled into the air. Barker reacted quickly, to send a volley inches over the bar from six yards. As the away side looked for an equaliser, United pressed on the break, with Robinson curling over, and Gwynne having a powerful drive pushed behind by Budtz. Andy Monkhouse replaced Nolan, but soon after, Hereford had increased their lead.
The goal followed a fine chance for Hartlepool. Richie Humphreys' inswinging corner was met by Barker, but only a goal-line clearence by Gwynne denied him. The ball was put back in the box, but Guinan smashed clear, and Taylor picked it up. He took his time to pick out a pass to find Robinson 30 yards out. The youngster ran in towards goal and from the edge of the box, toe-poked past Budtz and doubled Hereford's lead in front of the Meadow End. Humphreys saw a powerful effort deflected over, but for all the away side's endeavour, United looked good on the counter-attack. Simon Johnson made a short appearence, replacing the tiring Gwynne on right wing. Robinson shot over after a switch of play from Guinan, before the front two combined once again, with this time Guinan shooting weakly goalwards; the keeper was beaten but a defender on the line was on hand to control and clear. In the dying minutes, Humphreys struck over after a free-kick had fallen to him at the back post, and the shot summed up Hartlepool's day; close, but not close enough.
Before hand, it looked a tough tie for The Bulls, but as the game went on, Hereford showed their class and quality by seeing off their higher graded opponents. In particular, Smith was influential in midfield, showing sublime touches, incisive passes and a fine work-rate in front of 3801 supporters, with 238 making the journey from Hartlepool. The clean sheet also spells a third clean sheet in a row for United, which is complimentary of the fine partnership McCombe and Dean Beckwith have struck. The third round draw takes place tommorow, and United will be looking for a good draw. League action returns though for United, with Wycombe the next opponents, in what will be a tough encounter at Adams Park next Tuesday.
Hereford: Brown, Collins, McCombe, Beckwith, Threlfall, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Smith, Taylor, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McClenahan, Johnson, Guinan, Palmer.
Hartlepool: Budtz, Nolan, McCunnie, Nelsen, Antwi, Humphreys, Brown, Sweeney, Bolland, Moore, Barker.
Subs: Lee-Barrett, Liddle, Monkhouse, Porter, Mackay.