Morecambe came to Edgar Street expecting a tough battle against high-flying Hereford United, but the visitors left with three points. The Conference play-off winners scored three times from set-pieces to hand Hereford their first defeat since MK Dons in mid-October. Jim Bentley's sweetly hit volley got the ball rolling, before headers either side of half-time from Matthew Blinkhorn and David Artell made the victory emphatic.
Two changes were made from last weekend's victory over Bury; Simon Johnson made way on left wing for Clint Easton, but the most notable absentee was Dean Beckwith, who had been suffering from an upset stomach. Captain, Karl Broadhurst returned to make his first appearence since Leeds United. Trevor Benjamin was also missing so Marcus Palmer took his place on the bench; the experienced marksman's absence due to tonsilitis. Former Bulls midfielder Craig Stanley lined up for Morecambe, whilst on loan Norwich and England youth international goalkeeper Joe Lewis started.
The away side showed their intentions early on with Michael Twiss's touch and half volley held by Wayne Brown, before Blinkhorn held up up front and set up Garry Hunter to curl past the post. Hereford's first notable opportunity was owed to good work from Easton. He won the ball down the left hand side, and whipped in a fine ball for Steve Guinan, but the striker saw his header rebound off the post. Stanley and Easton tried their luck at either end from long-range to no avail, before Morecambe took the lead. Guinan attempted to clear on the edge of the box after a corner, but the ball deflected off a Morecambe player and into the path of Bentley, who struck a beautiful full volley into the far corner.
Easton looked the threat for United, and he found himself in acres of space in the middle of the park and ran into it before unleashing a long-range shot, but Lewis held on with relative ease. Yet, Morecambe extended their lead just before half-time from another set-piece. A free-kick, perhaps harshly awarded, was swung in from the left hand side and Blinkhorn rose above United's defence to nod past the helpess Brown. The game could have been put beyond Hereford on the stroke of half time when Broadhurst was tackled in his own area, and Blinkhorn picked up the ball. The former Blackpool man turned McCombe, but his slid shot was blocked by the out-rushing Brown.
The first half was lacklustre and poor by United's recent standards, but no changes were made. Sam Gwynne's header was harmless, as neither side threatened in the early stages. It was Gwynne who made way in the 60th minute, when Simon Johnson was introduced. However, it made little difference as Morecambe grabbed the third and decisive goal. Twiss fizzed in a corner from the left and Artell headed powerfully past Brown. Theo Robinson's snapshot was easily held by Lewis, before Graham Turner signalled his intent by taking off Broadhurst and replacing him with Kris Taylor. The captain had been slightly off the pace, perhaps due to a lack of match fitness in the past month or so. John McCombe nodded an Easton free-kick over, whilst Robinson's close range half volley was deflected past the post.
Morecambe were comfortable with their lead, and played mainly on the counter-attack, with Twiss shooting just wide after good work from Hunter in the middle of the park. Carl Baker was replaced by Wayne Curtis, and his lookalike Bentley struck a powerful free-kick goalwards; Brown dived to push the effort away. Easton curled wide after a lay-off from Guinan, whilst Gary Thompson got goalside of Taylor, but his vicious strike was parried by Brown. Taylor's attacking was slightly better than his defending, and his low cross was dummied by Toumani Diagouraga, and ran through to Robinson. The on form striker controlled, and struck a low shot towards the near post, but Lewis tipped it wide. Johnson also came close late on, with a banana shot falling the wrong side of the goal. Neil Sorvel was introduced for the final minutes in place of Hunter, before the referee ended a miserable afternoon for United.
The performance was extremely disappointing, with Morecambe well worth the three points. Hereford missed Beckwith at the back, with Broadhurst looking shakey. Benjamin's prescence was also missed, against two strong centre halfs in Bentley and Artell. The free ticket offer helped the attendance, with 3058 at Edgar Street, but it's the 107 who made the journey from Morecambe who go home pleased. Next up for Hereford is a Boxing Day trip to Macclesfield Town; a quick response is needed in order to keep up the promotion aspirations.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Broadhurst, McCombe, Collins, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Guinan, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, Taylor, Webb, Johnson, Palmer.
Morecambe: Lewis, Yates, Bentley, Artell, Adams, Thompson, Stanley, Hunter, Baker, Twiss, Blinkhorn.
Subs: Davies, Howard, Sorvel, Grand, Curtis.