Concluding BN's look back at Hereford United reaching the second round in the FA Cup ten seasons ago, here's the match report:
SWINDON Town 3 - 2 Hereford United
Two second half Swindon Town goals resulted in Hereford United's elimination from the FA Cup at the second round stage.
The Bulls did their very best and made the travelling support of around two thousand fans proud but couldn't quite find the killer edge to force a replay at Edgar Street.
Hereford captain Ian Wright, who scored the winner in the previous round against Wrexham, passed a late fitness test to make the starting eleven. However, Scott Voice was injured and failed to make the squad.
Swindon, managed by ex-Liverpool boss Roy Evans, took an early lead after a good spell of pressure on eleven minutes. Danny Invincible, the Australian striker, ripped apart the Bulls defence before sliding a low ball past the advancing Matt Baker in the Hereford goal.
Three minutes later, Hereford levelled the score in spectacular fashion. A Paul Parry corner from the left was turned away, only to find Gavin Williams thirty yards out. The Welshman controlled well before smashing a cracking right footed shot past Bart Griemink into the roof of the net. After the match, new Swindon chairman Willie Carson said it was the best goal that would be seen at the County Ground this season.
After the goal, a handful of Hereford 'fans' appeared to jump out of their enclosure behind the goal (only used as an overfill area) and ran towards the Swindon stand. The stewards soon sorted out the problem but the incident will do little to improve the reputation of away Bulls followers.
Swindon searched for a goal as the half progressed with John Snape preventing Steve Robinson when in full flight with a well-timed tackle. Matt Baker coped with a difficult shot from Eric Sabin, palming away the effort for Tony James to clear. Shots rained in from all angles as Swindon dominated. Therefore, it came as a bit of a shock when Hereford took the lead with twenty eight minutes on the clock!
A corner from the left by Williams met Hereford's unmarked captain Ian Wright who jumped to head the ball down and over the line. The Bulls had a surprising lead which Swindon attempted to break down. Two minutes later, a goalmouth scramble saw the ball cleared and further efforts from the home side resulted in Matt Baker earning his bonus before the half was over.
After the break, it took seven minutes for Swindon to level the scores. Matt Baker handled the ball just outside the area and after the free-kick, the ball was half cleared. However, Paul Edwards picked up the ball on the left, weaved through two defenders before knocking the ball home for his first Swindon goal.
Hereford then attemped to hold on for a replay. However, the Conference hopefuls were running out of steam. Wave after wave of attacks from Town saw a penalty appeal turned down, a clearance off the line and two shots across goal which needed the smallest of touches to give Swindon the lead.
With fifteen minutes left, Gavin Williams was brought down in the Swindon box with an elbow. The referee failed to notice the incident, and no penalty was awarded.
A minute later, Bobby Howe picked up a deflected shot from Eric Sabin and, from the edge of the box, gave Swindon the lead they so desparately needed. Hereford United had held on so well but their good luck had run out.
Still, the Bulls fought on in front of a crowd of 7,699. Boss Phil Robinson introduced Danny Davidson and Alex Kevan but it was in vain. The last minute saw goalkeeper Baker again save from Wayne Carlisle, and Tony Capaldi cleared off the line from an Eric Sabin close-range header.
So, the FA Cup is all over for another year at Hereford. The club will be proud of what they have achieved but a diversion is now required - to improve league form. The Bulls are back to the real thing next weekend, as Nuneaton Borough come to Edgar Street.
Hereford United: Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, Tony Capaldi, Scott Goodwin, Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Jimmy Quiggin (off, 83 minutes), John Snape, Rob Elmes (off, 83 minutes), Gavin Williams, Paul Parry
Subs: Mark Williams, Lee Evans, Alex Kevan (on, 83 minutes,) Steve Piearce, Danny Davidson (on, 83 minutes)
Yellow cards: Matt Clarke (36 minutes, foul) Baker (51 minutes, unsporting behaviour) Parry (65 minutes, foul)
Scorers: Gavin Williams (14 minutes) Ian Wright (27 minutes)
Attendance: 7699
Man of the Match: Gavin Williams
Referee: Mr. P. Joslin (Newark, Notts)
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Scarborough In The League At Edgar Street On Tuesday 19th November At 7.45pm