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Sherjill Macdonald was the hero as Hereford picked up a fine three points at Spotland against Rochdale. The game ended 4-2 to The Bulls with Macdonald grabbing a hat trick. Rochdale took the lead early on when Simon Ramsden headed a corner in, but soon the Dale defence collapsed like England’s batting display in New Zealand. Macdonald took advantage by scoring three times in the opening half-hour. United cruised the rest of the half, and the majority of the second, with Macdonald setting up Gary Hooper to make it 4-1. In stoppage time, Rene Howe scored a late consolation from a corner.
There were two changes to the United’s starting line up with two key players missing out due to injury. Dean Beckwith missed out, with young Lee Collins taking his place whilst captain Ben Smith also had to make way, after picking up an injury in the warm-up; Kris Taylor replaced him in the central midfield role. Rochdale’s Gary Jones made his 300th appearance for the home side, and was given a welcome by both sides.
The game started with a bang as the first three chances led to goals. Firstly, Rochdale gave their supporters the dream start when Ramsden gave them the lead. Adam Rundle put a dangerous corner in the six-yard area, and Ramsden saw off a weak challenge by Wayne Brown to score. The lead lasted for little time though, as Macdonald started his night’s work. Hooper blocked an attempted clearance and ran onto the loose ball. He steadied himself before crossing low to Macdonald who tucked the ball away into the corner to equalise. Soon after, United were in the lead. Clint Easton’s vision and precise pass allowed Macdonald to control before making a powerful run towards goal. The Dutch striker then struck a left-footed shot past the Rochdale goalkeeper Sam Rushall.
After the thrilling start to the game, it calmed with Adam Le Fondre and John Doolan having efforts off-target. David Perkins, playing on the left wing, also had a shot which went past the post. The half-chances were to be regretted as Macdonald completed his first-half hat trick. Hereford broke with pace, as they so often do, and Simon Johnson ran down the right-wing before crossing low into the area. The ball fell to Macdonald who controlled, before shooting past Rushall.
Rochdale were in need of a mega lift and they nearly got it after Perkins’ deflected shot fell to Le Fondre. The former Stockport striker guided the ball goal wards from six-yards but his effort came off the post, before it was smashed clear by Collins. The strike-force of Macdonald and Hooper was working superbly, with the former showing sublime touches in the middle of the park. An excellent turn by Macdonald opened up the game in the middle of the park before sending a pass to Hooper, who went past Nathan Stanton but couldn’t finish what would have been a fine goal, with Rushall saving. Perkins then shot straight at Brown, before Macdonald and Hooper linked up once more. Again, the Dutchmen started it with a superb piece of skill on the line before spotting a run of Hooper, and playing a fine ball to match the run. Hooper got in front of the defender but failed to hit the target when one on one with Rushall with his shot being blasted over the bar.
Keith Hill made changes at half-time, after seeing his side be outclassed by the visitors. Kallum Higginbotham and William Buckley were introduced in place of Paul McArdle and Doolan. However, it was Hereford who made the better start despite looking very relaxed in their play. Taylor’s cross field pass found Macdonald who struck powerfully goal wards from 25 yards but Rushall held on. Then, Johnson linked up with Macdonald before his curling effort was smothered by Rushall. Sam Gwynne then replaced Toumani Diagouraga in centre midfield, before Rochdale started to threaten. Higginbotham cut in from the left-hand side before seeing his low shot be held by Brown, whilst Rundle’s right foot effort failed to hit the target. Perkins nearly pulled a goal back with a cross from the right. The ball bounced in the box, and through a crowd of players and looked to be heading in the net until Brown made a superb diving save. United then went and finished the game by scoring a fourth.
Macdonald turned provider by playing a good ball to Hooper, who beat his man with a good touch and turn of pace. The former Grays Athletic man then toe-poked past the ‘keeper into the net. Chris Basham then replaced Jones for Rochdale, and Perkins again tried his luck with Brown parrying before Le Fondre mis-kicked the rebound. Macdonald was substituted to a standing ovation, with Theo Robinson coming on. The Watford loanee nearly made an instant impact, with a curling shot falling just over the bar. Buckley then headed past the post from a Rundle corner, whilst Robinson should have scored after a good run was found by Easton’s cross, but Robinson’s right foot effort was sliced past the post. Rochdale ended the game with a flourish, with young Higginbotham drilling a free-kick over the bar. Howe then tried his luck with a bycicle kick which landed on the roof of the net, before the on loan Peterborough striker managed to get on the score-sheet at last, heading in a stoppage-time corner to make the final score 4-2 to Hereford.
2884 saw the game at Spotland, with Hereford running out deserved winners. The lapse in form is well and truly over for Hereford after this excellent victory. Eight goals in the last two games has been inspired by Macdonald who looked a class above the Rochdale players, and has sparked a good partnership with Hooper up front. Rochdale’s two goals came from corners, and no doubt Graham Turner will be looking to put this right in training. Next up for The Bulls is Chesterfield at Edgar Street on Saturday, a game that could be billed as a revenge match after the 4-0 drubbing received at Saltergate.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, McCombe, Collins, Rose, Johnson, Diagouraga, Taylor, Easton, Hooper, Macdonald.
Subs: Ingham, Broadhurst, Gwynne, Benjamin, Robinson.
Rochdale: Rushall, Ramsden, McArdle, Stanton, Kennedy, Rundle, Jones, Doolan, Perkins, Howe, Le Fondre.
Subs: Spencer, Holness, Bashley, Higginbotham, Buckley.