Hereford United made it three consecutive victories in League Two after a 1-0 win over play-off chasing Wycombe Wanderers. The only goal of the game came mid-way through the second half when Russell Martin headed Clint Easton's free-kick into his own net. The majority of the game was relatively close, with Wanderers having the better chances in tricky conditions.
The Bulls were unchanged after Tuesday's narrow success at Mansfield Town, although there was one change on the bench with one Wolves loanee replaced by another. Stephen Gleeson made way, with Lee Collins replacing him. Chris Herd started on right wing after joining on loan from Aston Villa yesterday. Former Celtic star Neil Lennon partnered Gary Holt in midfield, whilst Leon Knight started up front alongside leading goalscorer Scott McGleish.
Wayne Brown started where he had finished from Tuesday, as he made a good early stop. Knight's through ball to Herd wasn't fully cleared, and McGleish's follow up was blocked by Brown. The former Northampton man then struck over the bar after turning on the edge of the box. United's first chance fell to Theo Robinson, but he selfishly shot past the upright after Richard Rose has played a ball down the line for him, despite having Gary Hooper and Simon Johnson available in the area. John McCombe superbly blocked a McGleish effort inside the box after Herd had beaten Rose in the air, whilst Knight weakly struck goalwards after turning Dean Beckwith. The central defender was involved at the other end as he headed an Easton free-kick over the bar. Trent McClenahan replicated McCombe's earlier block as he threw himself in front of a powerful Stefan Oakes shot from 18 yards.
S. Johnson nearly opened the scoring after Easton's corner wasn't fully cleared, but Frank Fielding did enough to palm the ball before it was cleared. Minutes later, another corner from Easton caused problems with Toumani Diagouraga nodding over at the front post. Herd, who looked useful up against Rose, struck over from 30 yards after a good break from the visitors. The Bulls finished the half strongly, with a series of good opportunities in front of the Meadow End.
Firstly, Robinson won a flick after a Brown goal-kick, and the ball sat up nicely for Hooper who sent a half-volley just past the near post. Then, Robinson pounced on a weak back-header but Fielding quickly closed down the striker to block the ball; it fell to Hooper though who tried a chip but David McCracken headed the ball to safety. The front two continued to threaten, and some nice link-up play between the two led to Robinson shooting from a tight-angle across the goal, forcing Fielding to dive and block with a strong hand. Just before half-time, another Easton set-piece caused problems, and McCombe rose above a crowd of players to head goalwards, but McCracken managed to clear off the line; Wycombe broke from this clearence, and Herd's left foot shot fell past the post.
McCracken was replaced by Mike Williamson at the break for the visitors, as they made the better start. Oakes' cross from the right fell to Herd, who headed goalwards unchallenged but Ben Smith was on hand to clear off the line. A long boot forward by McClenahan bounced over Williamson, who slipped, allowing Hooper in on goal for a good chance; from a tight-angle though, Fielding denied the on loan Southend man by blocking his low strike. McGleish shot past the far post, before Knight was replaced by John Sutton up top. Within minutes of the sub, United took the lead. S. Johnson was blocked off, and Easton took the free-kick. The ball was knocked into the box at speed, and Martin, despite looking relatively unchallenged, headed into the top corner of his own net to hand The Bulls the advantage.
Neil Lennon, who looked superb in control of the ball but lacking in fitness, was replaced by Sam Stockley five minutes after the goal. Martin tried to make up for his own goal, by cutting in past Easton and shooting goalwards from 25 yards but it went over. Robbie Threlfall replaced the tiring S. Johnson, as United looked happy to sit-back and defend their slender lead. Wycombe put pressure on towards the end of the game, with Oakes coming closest to equalising.
Threlfall gave away a free-kick, allowing Oakes to drive it goalwards. It took a big deflection and appeared to be looping over Brown and into the far corner, but the goalie sprang up to tip the ball away; the follow hook goalwards by McGleish hit the post before Smith smashed the ball for a throw-in. Herd shot into the body of Brown after linking up with Martin down the right-hand side, whilst Threlfall's cut-in from the left-hand side allowed him to shoot goalwards, but it was on his right-foot and Fielding gathered easily. Craig Woodman saw a 30 yard shot be held by Brown, whilst at the death, Williamson powered a shot-wide after venturing forward for one of the late attacks.
Again, it wasn't the best of performances by United, but a victory never the less. Attacking-wise, The Bulls are not on top of their game, but the back four is almost scrooge like, giving little away. The lanky figure of Diagouraga in the middle of the park has been a boost in recent games, with the Frenchman having a fine game this afternoon. The main disappointment of the day was the attendance; 3126, with 418 from Wycombe. The figure may have been down slightly due to the Six Nations matches, and the poor weather. There can be no excuses for next Saturday though when Bury visit. The start of Easter, free tickets for season ticket holders and three wins in a row should mean a bumper attendance at Edgar Street.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, McCombe, Beckwith, Rose, S. Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Hooper, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, Collins, Threlfall, Taylor, Benjamin.
Wycombe: Fielding, Martin, McCracken, L. Johnson, Woodman, Herd, Lennon, Holt, Oakes, McGleish, Knight.
Subs: Young, Williamson, Bullock, Stockley, Sutton.