From the Archives - January 31st 1998

For today's item from the BN archives we delve back to January 31st 1998 and a disappointing trip to Dover.

HEREFORD United 0 Dover Athletic 2 (report by Peter Povall)

With a longer than usual break between games, Hereford had chance to work on their game, but very little of it showed if they did.

Dover swiftly showed them the exit route from the FA Trophy with this 2 goal home defeat. Hereford had previously met Dover in the Conference last year where Dover went home with a victory as well. This just goes to prove that the smaller clubs can bite.

Again United were chasing the match as Gerald Dobbs claimed the opener after just 11 minutes. This goal came on the rebound after James McCue blazed the ball over the Dover goal. The resulting goal kick was sent down the pitch to Dobbs who confidently chipped the advancing Andy Quy.

United continued a try assualts on the Dover goal but nothing would work. Neil Grayson was given a good position by some excellent moves started on the wing but his shot was well wide of the net.

Another chance early in the second half was thrown away as Trevor Matthewson, who has played very little in the last couple of months due to injury, headed Murray Fishlocks cross wide.

Gavin Mahon however earned his money by denying Ayorinde a goal when he cleared off the line after Quy had been beaten.

The final blow was the result of an inspired substitution though as Roy Godden was brought on at the start of injury time and with almost his first touch of the ball be drove it home into the Hereford net.

HEREFORD UNITED (5-3-2): Quy; Rodgerson, Fishlock, Pitman (Foster 72), Brough (Mansell 23), (Williams 80), Matthewson; Hargreaves, Warner, Grayson; McCue, Mahon.

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