Ten years ago this week Hereford United played their final pre-season friendly against West Bromwich Albion in front of 1297 supporters. This year Hereford United's final pre-season friendly will be against local side Sinkums possibly behing closed doors unless a new safety certificate for the ground is issued.
Quite a contrast.
Here's a reminder of the West Brom game which was played on August 4th 2004.
United claim first home victory
Hereford
United kept yet another clean sheet as they defeated a strong West Brom
team at Edgar Street this evening. The Baggies had numerous well known
players in their starting line up including internationals Bernt Haas,
Jason Koumas and Artim Sakiri but United were able to match and for most
parts outplay WBA.
Hereford
were without David Brown, Ryan Green and Tony James but Jamie Pitman
made his first start since having a operation for a hernia. Jamie Smith,
a trialist (probably Jamie Gosling), was named as substitute. There was
also a new goalkeeper training with the team, but he wasn't named on
the team sheet.
Hereford,
who were looking very sharp, passing the ball very well and playing
some brilliant attacking football, almost took the lead in the fourth
minute. Rob Purdie split the defence and found Andy Tretton who smashed a
low cross along the six yard box but Adam Stansfield somehow failed to
connect.
United
had several first half chances before they took the lead, Craig Stanley
played a one-two with Stansfield, but hit the shot straight at the
'keeper. Danny Williams had three efforts, a thirty-five yard free kick
was just over, then a tame twenty-five yard shot was collected easily by
Tomasz Kuszczak. Purdie then crossed for Williams to smash on the
volley but it sailed just over the bar. West Brom only really threatend
from corners where Darren Moore looked dangerous, however he headed his
first chance wide.
Stansfield
handed United the lead following a flick on by Tom Smith after a
Williams corner. The ball hit Stansfield who volleyed it hard into the
net for 1-0. Williams delivered another good cross from a free kick, the
clearence fell to Stanley who volleyed wide. Moore then almost
equalised for the Baggies but a smart catch from Scott prevented the
goal. A fantastic move by Hereford should have led to another goal, but
Kuszczak made a good save from Simon Travis when one on one after
Williams had played him through. The rebound fell to Stansfield who
could only shoot wide.
At
half time the Baggies subbed on Joe Murphy in goal and Stuart Midworth.
Moore had the first chance of the second half from a corner he headed
down well, but Scott was equal to it. Before the Bulls doubled their
advantage Stansfield, Purdie and Stanley had shots blocked and Mark
Robinson volleyed over. Captain Tretton knocked a ball over the top for
Purdie and Stansfield to chase. Kuszczak rushed out but was beaten to it
by Purdie who squared the ball to Stansfield. He hammered a shot into
the roof of the net avoiding two defenders on the line. After, the
lively Pitman was replaced by Graham Hyde after the second goal.
Tamika
Mkandawire, playing against his old club, had a good chance but his
header from Robinson's cross was well saved by Murphy. Williams and
Purdie both went close again but their shots were wide. Purdie was
replaced by Andrew Williams as the attacker was suffering from cramp.
Danny Williams was replaced by Jamie Smith(Gosling). Neil Clement was
unlucky not to get the Baggies back in the game when his thunderbolt of a
free kick was palmed away by Scott. Daniel March and Sam Gwynne
replaced Travis and Robinson. United's final chance fell to sixteen year
old Gwynne. Hyde swung a corner to the far side of the penalty area for
the youngster to volley but it went just wide.
The
1,297 including 34 away fans, that turned out for the friendly game
were entertained by some brilliant football from Hereford who were more
than a match for their superior opposition. It was by far the best
performance by United this pre-season, they were looking more like the
side that performed so well in the last campaign.
HUFC
Team: Ben Scott, Tamika Mkandawire, Andy Tretton, Tom Smith, Marc
Robinson, Simon Travis, Craig Stanley, Danny Williams, Jamie Pitman,
Adam Stansfield, Rob Purdie. Subs: Graham Hyde, Adam Ding, Andrew
Williams, Daniel March, Jamie Smith, Daniel Carey-Bertram, Sam Gwynne.
WBA
Team: Kuszczak, Bernt Haasm Neil Clement, Jason Koumas, Darren Moore,
Martin Albrechtsen, Adam Chambers, Ronnie Wallwork, Kyle Patterson,
Artim Sakiri, Rob Elvins.
Subs: James Chambers, Joe Murphy, Philip
Midworth, Stuart Nicholson, James Holmes.