For today's archive article BN looks back at a Conference League fixture when Cheltenham Town visited Edgar Street fifteen years ago today.
Feb 20th 1999:
HEREFORD United 0 Cheltenham 2 (report by Peter Povall)
This match was billed as one of the biggest this season as Cheltenham with four ex-United players visited Edgar Street.
The kick-off was delayed as complaints were made by Graham Turner regarding the fact that Cheltenham were not wearing their change kit and there was a possiblity of a kit clash.
After the resolution of this problem, the match got underway to a crowd of almost 3,500.
The match started at a quick pace with United making most of the early running as they pushed forward looking for an early goal. On back pass gave them their first chance as the keeper struggled to control it but cleared before Richard Leadbeater could reach him.
Moments later and United found a gap down the right wing which allowed Mark Taylor to send in a lofted ball. The wind could have played a part in it drifting just over the bar.
United gained a further chance within the first 10 minutes as Taylor played a corner to the back post. Ian Wright rose to meet it, sending it just wide of the post.
Cheltenham were first to react to a quick clearance and against the run of play raced up the field and forced a blocking save from Andy Quy. The resulting scamble in the goal-mouth went in Cheltenham's favour as Freeman finished the job at hand.
United came straight back though. Within a minute of the re-start they were pushing forward on goal when an offside decision (joke) was made.
This seemed to turn the tables on United a little as they allowed Cheltenham more space and backed off them rather than getting stuck in.
The closing minutes of the first period saw a return of passion from United. They gained a corner which was taken by Taylor. He sent the ball to the back post where Wright again met it, sending it straight back along the line of the bar. If a United player could have reached it then a goal would have been certain.
Leadbeater claimed a shot when he found himself in space on the edge of the area, but the weak curl was easily collected by the waiting keeper.
The loan signing of Steve Cowe helped towards making the attacks on the Cheltenham goal. His movements in the box leaving space now and then but none of the United players read the game well enough to reach the space and the running ball.
The second period contained a lost less passion from the United squad as they defended the Meadow End goal.
Neil Grayson was allowed far to much space all to often. His effort on 60 minutes could easily have doubled their lead. The ball was played as a short cross which he turned and volleyed just wide of the post.
United were kept under pressure for most of the second period but were given the odd chance to push forward. One attempt resulted in a srambled attack on the goal line before the ball was cleared down field with the crowd thinking the equaliser was in.
Cheltenham kept on pushing forward though. Watkins came close with just 15 minutes left. The ball skidding wide again.
The closing 10 minutes saw the worst images of Edgar Street this season. Cheltenham gained a corner which David Norton came forward to take. A few of the Hereford crowd pushed into the corner of the stand and started abusing him and spitting. Considering the situation surrounding his departure from Edgar Street I can understand the verbal abuse but enough is enough.
Sod's Law, it had to happen. After Norton was booked for timewasting he played an excellent corner which Victory headed powerfully into the back of the net.
Another poor finishing performance by United gave Cheltenham the easy victory they had expected. One fan at the back of the Meadow End was understandably distressed at the complete lack of passion and pride the United team showed. The fans don't mind seeing the team lose if the players have given 100%.
HEREFORD United 0 Cheltenham 2 (report by Peter Povall)
This match was billed as one of the biggest this season as Cheltenham with four ex-United players visited Edgar Street.
The kick-off was delayed as complaints were made by Graham Turner regarding the fact that Cheltenham were not wearing their change kit and there was a possiblity of a kit clash.
After the resolution of this problem, the match got underway to a crowd of almost 3,500.
The match started at a quick pace with United making most of the early running as they pushed forward looking for an early goal. On back pass gave them their first chance as the keeper struggled to control it but cleared before Richard Leadbeater could reach him.
Moments later and United found a gap down the right wing which allowed Mark Taylor to send in a lofted ball. The wind could have played a part in it drifting just over the bar.
United gained a further chance within the first 10 minutes as Taylor played a corner to the back post. Ian Wright rose to meet it, sending it just wide of the post.
Cheltenham were first to react to a quick clearance and against the run of play raced up the field and forced a blocking save from Andy Quy. The resulting scamble in the goal-mouth went in Cheltenham's favour as Freeman finished the job at hand.
United came straight back though. Within a minute of the re-start they were pushing forward on goal when an offside decision (joke) was made.
This seemed to turn the tables on United a little as they allowed Cheltenham more space and backed off them rather than getting stuck in.
The closing minutes of the first period saw a return of passion from United. They gained a corner which was taken by Taylor. He sent the ball to the back post where Wright again met it, sending it straight back along the line of the bar. If a United player could have reached it then a goal would have been certain.
Leadbeater claimed a shot when he found himself in space on the edge of the area, but the weak curl was easily collected by the waiting keeper.
The loan signing of Steve Cowe helped towards making the attacks on the Cheltenham goal. His movements in the box leaving space now and then but none of the United players read the game well enough to reach the space and the running ball.
The second period contained a lost less passion from the United squad as they defended the Meadow End goal.
Neil Grayson was allowed far to much space all to often. His effort on 60 minutes could easily have doubled their lead. The ball was played as a short cross which he turned and volleyed just wide of the post.
United were kept under pressure for most of the second period but were given the odd chance to push forward. One attempt resulted in a srambled attack on the goal line before the ball was cleared down field with the crowd thinking the equaliser was in.
Cheltenham kept on pushing forward though. Watkins came close with just 15 minutes left. The ball skidding wide again.
The closing 10 minutes saw the worst images of Edgar Street this season. Cheltenham gained a corner which David Norton came forward to take. A few of the Hereford crowd pushed into the corner of the stand and started abusing him and spitting. Considering the situation surrounding his departure from Edgar Street I can understand the verbal abuse but enough is enough.
Sod's Law, it had to happen. After Norton was booked for timewasting he played an excellent corner which Victory headed powerfully into the back of the net.
Another poor finishing performance by United gave Cheltenham the easy victory they had expected. One fan at the back of the Meadow End was understandably distressed at the complete lack of passion and pride the United team showed. The fans don't mind seeing the team lose if the players have given 100%.