Hat-trick of wins for Woking

Captain Luke Graham Along With Several Players And Today's Six Mascots

Unfortunately, for the third time this season, Hereford United fell victim to a strong Woking side.

On the back of a 12 game winless run, caretaker manager Peter Beadle changed the starting XI that lost to Grimsby last Saturday. Rob Purdie swapped from right to left-back in favour of Chris Bush, allowing Leadbitter to slot back his familiar right-back position. Walker started up front alongside Sam Smith in place of Chris Sharp. Michael Rankine returned to the bench following his hamstring injury.

Hereford started off positively having a couple of early chances. Artus tried his luck early on, but his weak effort was easily cleared by the Cards’ defence. The ball was then pumped goal-bound, and Sam Smith tried to head the ball home, but Joe McNerney headed away off the line. A third and final effort by the Bulls saw Kingsley James have a weak shot from 15-yards, which keeper Sam Beasant gathered with ease.

Minutes later, Purdie saw the ball go out behind for a corner, which winger John Goddard delivered into the heart of the box. The ball was initially cleared, but Ricketts’ follow up shot went over Lloyd-Weston’s goal.

A series of misses and fine saves, ensured Hereford kept the score line level for the opening period of the first half. But on the 20 minute mark, Woking drew first blood. Dom Collins was caught flat-footed so Scott Rendell was able to break into the danger area. Lloyd-Weston came off his line to put his boot through it, but after failing to clear the ball, Rendell found himself in front of an open goal, and made no mistake in slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Walker’s cross from the left saw the ball headed back out to the 23 year old. A short pass back to Purdie allowed for another cross into the heart of the box, which Jon Brown latched onto and headed the ball into the hands of Beasant.

Youngster Jarrod Bowen passed to Brown further up the flank. Brown then crossed the ball to Smith, but he could only head the ball wide.

Daniel Lloyd-Weston was arguable keeping Hereford in this game singlehandedly, no more so when Josh Payne tried his luck from 25 yards. His shot looked to be sneaking in just behind DLW, but somehow he got his fingertips to it to send the ball over for a couple of fruitless corners.

Woking doubled their lead on the 35th minute after Kevin Betsy broke down the left-wing. After failing to be tackled, Betsy crossed the ball to the totally unmarked Newton who easily tapped the ball in at the near post.

HT: Hereford 0 – Woking 2

Michael Rankine Came On At The Start Of The Second Half

With Hereford’s ongoing problem of lacking a cutting edge, it was relieving to see Rankine return to the action when he replaced Dan Walker after the break. Also stepping up off the bench was injury-prone Danny Pilkington who replaced Jon Brown.

The second half started off in a way similar to the first, with the Bulls advancing on goal. Jarrod Bowen was fouled 20-yards out in a tackle which earned Josh Payne a yellow card. Artus’ free kick hit the 4 man wall, but Michael Rankine followed up with a shot which forced Beasant to make a fine save.

Midfielder Kingsley James carried the ball forward from midfield and eventually passed to Michael Rankine who was waiting in the box. A quick turn from Rankine saw Beasant called into action once again to gather the shot.

United finally hit the back of the net on the 66th minute, only for it to be disallowed. Rankine headed a good cross up in the air, and as Smith went to head home, Beasant caught the ball around Smith. The Cambridge loanee then pushed Beasant and the ball across the line, but referee Hopkins deemed this as a foul and the goal was disallowed.

The Ball Was In The Net But Disallowed

Peter Beadle’s third and final substitution saw Sam Smith replaced by spirited youth teamer Cory Williams.

Jarrod Bowen Chasing The Ball

Jarrod Bowen showed skill up the flank and his hard work paid off when he crossed the ball to Rankine whose powerful header forced a fingertip save. Two consecutive corners resulted in a long range shot from Artus clear the crossbar.

As the game looked to be petering out, a final push from Woking deep into stoppage time saw Giuseppe Sole’s long-range shot tipped over by Lloyd-Weston just before the referee signalled the end of 4th successive defeat for Hereford.

FT: Hereford 0 – Woking 2

Att: 2,140 with 90 from Woking

MotM: Daniel Lloyd-Weston

Hereford: Lloyd-Weston, Leadbitter, Graham, Collins, Purdie, Bowen, James, Artus, Brown (Pilkington 46’), Walker (Rankine 46’), Smith (Williams 75’). Subs not used: McDonald, Edge.

Woking: Beasant, Newton, McNerney, Ricketts, Nutter (Cestor Botuli 75’), Betsy (Sole 83’), Payne (Jones 67’), Murtagh, Goddard, Marriott, Rendell. Subs not used: Johnson, Little.

With Hereford’s winless run now extending to 13 games and Woking’s winning streak of 6 games, there was probably only ever going to be one winner. Some credit must be given to the Hereford players for trying to play some football, despite not being paid in full since January. However once again they never really looked like troubling the opposition’s goal.

And thanks to a late Luton winner against Aldershot, United remain a point clear of the relegation zone.

Next up Welling away on Tuesday.

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