Thirteen years ago today the Bulls travelled to Scarborough for a Conference match and came away with a deserved victory. They needed to win after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Woking the previous Saturday.
November 4th 2000
SCARBOROUGH 2 - 4 HEREFORD UNITED
After the disappointment of defeat last week, Hereford reacted in the best way possible - by winning away at Scarborough. The Yorkshire side were also eliminated against Leigh RMI last Saturday, but couldn't break down Hereford as they took the game to their hosts. With the fixture in doubt due to flooding and a possible waterlogged pitch, it was announced on the morning of the game that it would go ahead, and the United team will be glad that it did!
The Bulls made one change to the side that were defeated at Woking, with Kerry Giddings replaced by Gavin Williams, who was sorely missed through suspension last Saturday. Scarborough announced the sale of Chris Tate on Friday to Leyton Orient to help solve their crippling debts, and named former Hereford man Gareth Stoker in midfield. Their whole squad is now for sale to raise vital funds as they are £2 million in the red. Scarborough have just entered into a CVA, the same type of arrangement that kept Hereford United alive just two years ago.
From the off, both sides went on the attack and both looked up for the game. The pitch looked in fairly good condition considering the amount of rain in the past ten days and the game was easily playable.
The opening goal came on four minutes, when a Gavin Williams run was knocked back to Rodgerson, who then delivered a superb cross for Robin Elmes to head home from ten yards. Defenders Romain Faure and Denny Ingram were at fault when they failed to clear from Rodgerson.
Scarborough though came back and forced Cooksey into action on several occasions, but he saved well from Stoker, Pounder and Brodie. The most impressive save, though, came from a Diallo effort. The striker hit a shot destined for goal from just four yards, but somehow Cooksey tipped it behind. The deservedly equalised, however, came on seventeen minutes when Sherif Diallo was left with space galore, and beat Cooksey easily from six yards after good work from Stoker and Pounder.
Just seven minutes later, United regained the lead through Gavin Williams. A good ball from Ian Wright was met by Williams as the Scarborough defence had attempted to play him offside. From an acute angle he beat the advancing goalkeeper. The home sides defence had continually attempted to play the Bulls offside, but this time it didn't quite go according to plan!
Scarborough searched for an equaliser but Scott Cooksey was on top form to keep out attempts from Simon Betts, Steve Brodie and Sherif Diallo. Two minutes before the break, however, an Ellender long ball was met by Betts, who headed down to Pounder. The striker then drove into the right hand corner to level the scores at the break.
After the interval, both sides looked likely to score with Scarborough having the best of the early chances. Striker David Pounder created two good efforts before Hereford regained the lead, the best coming from the edge of the box which Cooksey somehow saved.
Sixteen minutes into the half, United took the advantage when a long ball from Tony James allowed Gavin Williams to make a fourty yard run before receiving the ball and hitting it low into the bottom corner. On his run, he passed two defenders and was unmarked, revealing the torrid time the Scarborough defence were having. Goalkeeper Andrew Wood came out towards Williams, but the Welshman knocked the ball past Wood to give Hereford the lead for the third time.
The game was sealed just four minutes later when a sublime pass from Ian Rodgerson was brought down by McIndoe to hit a superb, left-footed low ball past the goalkeeper in front of just 891, one of the lowest league crowds of the season at the McCain stadium. Gareth Stoker was at fault in the Boro defence on that occasion.
Five minutes later, Williams could have taken United's tally to five but Wood saved from twenty yards. It must have acted as a wake-up call, as the home side fought back and started creating chances. Diallo somehow shot wide with fifteen minutes to go, a free kick also went close and Scarborough looked lively. However, all attacks were broken down by a resiliant Hereford defence.
In the last minute, Gavin Williams had a free kick tipped over the bar. Hereford, though, will be pleased to have won this game and keep the pressure on Rushden and Yeovil. Scott Cooksey played superbly, but Scarborough can take heart that they have the attacking potential to go far, even if their defence isn't of the highest grade.
The referee, Mr Atkins of Bradford, made one booking. Jones of Scarborough on sixty seven minutes for a foul.
Hereford - Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Snape, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Giddings (77)
Man of the Match - Scott Cooksey
.
After the disappointment of defeat last week, Hereford reacted in the best way possible - by winning away at Scarborough. The Yorkshire side were also eliminated against Leigh RMI last Saturday, but couldn't break down Hereford as they took the game to their hosts. With the fixture in doubt due to flooding and a possible waterlogged pitch, it was announced on the morning of the game that it would go ahead, and the United team will be glad that it did!
The Bulls made one change to the side that were defeated at Woking, with Kerry Giddings replaced by Gavin Williams, who was sorely missed through suspension last Saturday. Scarborough announced the sale of Chris Tate on Friday to Leyton Orient to help solve their crippling debts, and named former Hereford man Gareth Stoker in midfield. Their whole squad is now for sale to raise vital funds as they are £2 million in the red. Scarborough have just entered into a CVA, the same type of arrangement that kept Hereford United alive just two years ago.
From the off, both sides went on the attack and both looked up for the game. The pitch looked in fairly good condition considering the amount of rain in the past ten days and the game was easily playable.
The opening goal came on four minutes, when a Gavin Williams run was knocked back to Rodgerson, who then delivered a superb cross for Robin Elmes to head home from ten yards. Defenders Romain Faure and Denny Ingram were at fault when they failed to clear from Rodgerson.
Scarborough though came back and forced Cooksey into action on several occasions, but he saved well from Stoker, Pounder and Brodie. The most impressive save, though, came from a Diallo effort. The striker hit a shot destined for goal from just four yards, but somehow Cooksey tipped it behind. The deservedly equalised, however, came on seventeen minutes when Sherif Diallo was left with space galore, and beat Cooksey easily from six yards after good work from Stoker and Pounder.
Just seven minutes later, United regained the lead through Gavin Williams. A good ball from Ian Wright was met by Williams as the Scarborough defence had attempted to play him offside. From an acute angle he beat the advancing goalkeeper. The home sides defence had continually attempted to play the Bulls offside, but this time it didn't quite go according to plan!
Scarborough searched for an equaliser but Scott Cooksey was on top form to keep out attempts from Simon Betts, Steve Brodie and Sherif Diallo. Two minutes before the break, however, an Ellender long ball was met by Betts, who headed down to Pounder. The striker then drove into the right hand corner to level the scores at the break.
After the interval, both sides looked likely to score with Scarborough having the best of the early chances. Striker David Pounder created two good efforts before Hereford regained the lead, the best coming from the edge of the box which Cooksey somehow saved.
Sixteen minutes into the half, United took the advantage when a long ball from Tony James allowed Gavin Williams to make a fourty yard run before receiving the ball and hitting it low into the bottom corner. On his run, he passed two defenders and was unmarked, revealing the torrid time the Scarborough defence were having. Goalkeeper Andrew Wood came out towards Williams, but the Welshman knocked the ball past Wood to give Hereford the lead for the third time.
The game was sealed just four minutes later when a sublime pass from Ian Rodgerson was brought down by McIndoe to hit a superb, left-footed low ball past the goalkeeper in front of just 891, one of the lowest league crowds of the season at the McCain stadium. Gareth Stoker was at fault in the Boro defence on that occasion.
Five minutes later, Williams could have taken United's tally to five but Wood saved from twenty yards. It must have acted as a wake-up call, as the home side fought back and started creating chances. Diallo somehow shot wide with fifteen minutes to go, a free kick also went close and Scarborough looked lively. However, all attacks were broken down by a resiliant Hereford defence.
In the last minute, Gavin Williams had a free kick tipped over the bar. Hereford, though, will be pleased to have won this game and keep the pressure on Rushden and Yeovil. Scott Cooksey played superbly, but Scarborough can take heart that they have the attacking potential to go far, even if their defence isn't of the highest grade.
The referee, Mr Atkins of Bradford, made one booking. Jones of Scarborough on sixty seven minutes for a foul.
Hereford - Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Snape, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Giddings (77)
Man of the Match - Scott Cooksey
.