BN looks back to August 19th 2000 when Hereford United drew 0-0 with Southport.
HEREFORD UNITED 0 - 0 SOUTHPORT (report by Terry Goodwin)
Hereford United entered the 2000/01 season with a home match against title dark-horses Southport, managed by former Liverpool defender Mark Wright. Whilst the game wasn't the cleanest ever seen, it was full of action and Hereford must count themselves unlucky that they didn't score but the strikers were not in the right place at the right time.
Both Paul Parry and Paul Sturgess were unavailable through injury, and Steve Piearce started on the bench. The strikers, Robin Elmes and Gavin Williams, were unable to break the deadlock but had numerous chances to do so. Two United players, McIndoe and Robinson, made their league debuts, and Southport fielded three new signings - defender Shaun Teale formerly of Tranmere and Aston Villa, former Liverpool, West Ham and Kidderminster midfielder Mike Marsh, and striker Simon Parke.
The only booking of the match from Mr Penn of Kingswinford came in the third minute. Ian Rodgerson was fouled on the near side as United attacked the Meadow End. The culprit, Mark Stuart, was promptly cautioned and from the resulting free-kick, McIndoe's cross was met by the Southport goalkeeper Steve Dickinson.
Hereford had the majority of the possession early on and almost took the lead on fifteen minutes. However, Robin Elmes' overhead kick was saved by the goalkeeper.
To say that the game was completely one-way would be a misinterpretation. Southport also showed some impressive spells and displayed their strengths which show why they are tipped for a good season. Phil Bolland headed one of their corners from Mike Marsh just over Cooksey's bar, but United rallied back and Elmes headed goalwards but it was cleared off the line by Shaun Teale, and then he headed against the bar on twenty four minutes, but was ruled offside by the assistant referee. From then on, Elmes' contribution was minimal. He currently has a back injury and didn't look as committed as usual, but last season's superb record underlines how good he can be on his day.
Teale then attacked the Hereford goal and later in the half, he shot a thirty yard effort at Scott Cooksey, and the former Shrewsbury 'keeper was called into action just before half time when Lee Furlong again shot straight at him.
In the second half, the left sided couplet of McIndoe and Clarke for Hereford made some good runs down the left, with McIndoe having several crosses. The first was a cross-cum-shot blocked by Martin Clark, and soon after Chris Lane crossed from the right but Elmes shot over. Matt Clarke had a superb game and made a surging run forward but was tripped in a clumsy challenge by Scott Guyett. The Southport defender was warned about his future conduct by the referee, but Southport came back late in the game. Furlong had two chances but clearances by Clarke and Cooksey saved the Bulls.
Furlong's first shot was cleared by Clarke just before he had time to shoot, and the second one was saved with a spectacular dive by Cooksey in the last minute. A change in the strike partnership for Hereford on seventy minutes couldn't produce a goal as Williams was replaced by Piearce. However, the former Halesowen Town striker made very little impact.
An attendance of 2,438 went home disappointed, and Hereford United still haven't won on the opening day of the season since they beat Barnet 4-1 in 1995, Graham Turner's first game as manager. The scorer of the fourth goal that day was goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie - if only today's strikers could have scored just one...
Hereford - Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Wright, James, Snape, Rodgerson, McIndoe, Robinson, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Piearce (70)
Man of the Match - Matt Clarke
Hereford United entered the 2000/01 season with a home match against title dark-horses Southport, managed by former Liverpool defender Mark Wright. Whilst the game wasn't the cleanest ever seen, it was full of action and Hereford must count themselves unlucky that they didn't score but the strikers were not in the right place at the right time.
Both Paul Parry and Paul Sturgess were unavailable through injury, and Steve Piearce started on the bench. The strikers, Robin Elmes and Gavin Williams, were unable to break the deadlock but had numerous chances to do so. Two United players, McIndoe and Robinson, made their league debuts, and Southport fielded three new signings - defender Shaun Teale formerly of Tranmere and Aston Villa, former Liverpool, West Ham and Kidderminster midfielder Mike Marsh, and striker Simon Parke.
The only booking of the match from Mr Penn of Kingswinford came in the third minute. Ian Rodgerson was fouled on the near side as United attacked the Meadow End. The culprit, Mark Stuart, was promptly cautioned and from the resulting free-kick, McIndoe's cross was met by the Southport goalkeeper Steve Dickinson.
Hereford had the majority of the possession early on and almost took the lead on fifteen minutes. However, Robin Elmes' overhead kick was saved by the goalkeeper.
To say that the game was completely one-way would be a misinterpretation. Southport also showed some impressive spells and displayed their strengths which show why they are tipped for a good season. Phil Bolland headed one of their corners from Mike Marsh just over Cooksey's bar, but United rallied back and Elmes headed goalwards but it was cleared off the line by Shaun Teale, and then he headed against the bar on twenty four minutes, but was ruled offside by the assistant referee. From then on, Elmes' contribution was minimal. He currently has a back injury and didn't look as committed as usual, but last season's superb record underlines how good he can be on his day.
Teale then attacked the Hereford goal and later in the half, he shot a thirty yard effort at Scott Cooksey, and the former Shrewsbury 'keeper was called into action just before half time when Lee Furlong again shot straight at him.
In the second half, the left sided couplet of McIndoe and Clarke for Hereford made some good runs down the left, with McIndoe having several crosses. The first was a cross-cum-shot blocked by Martin Clark, and soon after Chris Lane crossed from the right but Elmes shot over. Matt Clarke had a superb game and made a surging run forward but was tripped in a clumsy challenge by Scott Guyett. The Southport defender was warned about his future conduct by the referee, but Southport came back late in the game. Furlong had two chances but clearances by Clarke and Cooksey saved the Bulls.
Furlong's first shot was cleared by Clarke just before he had time to shoot, and the second one was saved with a spectacular dive by Cooksey in the last minute. A change in the strike partnership for Hereford on seventy minutes couldn't produce a goal as Williams was replaced by Piearce. However, the former Halesowen Town striker made very little impact.
An attendance of 2,438 went home disappointed, and Hereford United still haven't won on the opening day of the season since they beat Barnet 4-1 in 1995, Graham Turner's first game as manager. The scorer of the fourth goal that day was goalkeeper Chris MacKenzie - if only today's strikers could have scored just one...
Hereford - Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Wright, James, Snape, Rodgerson, McIndoe, Robinson, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Piearce (70)
Man of the Match - Matt Clarke