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Next Game: Brentwood In The FA Trophy At Edgar Street On Saturday 16th November At 3.00pm

Friday, April 03, 2015

From The Archives - Woking Defeat Bulls In A Downpour


BN will have a couple of archive items over the weekend as there's unlikely to be too much 'fresh' news.

For the first article we look back to April 4th 2001:

HEREFORD UNITED 0 - 1 WOKING

I'm sure I've written this before! It was Hereford United against Woking, there was a torrential downpour, and the Surrey side won the match. Yes, it was a repeat of that FA Cup tie tonight as Woking beat the Bulls 1-0 at Edgar Street in awkward conditions.

Prior to the match, Graham Turner said that the FA Trophy semi final second leg tie on Saturday at home to Forest Green Rovers mattered more that tonight's match and showed that by fielding a weakened line-up. Scott Cooksey, Matt Clarke, Ian Wright, John Snape and Robin Elmes were all rested as Matt Baker, John Shirley, James Wall, Seamus Crowe and Kerry Giddings came into the side. However, Woking also made changes as seventeen year old goalkeeper Stuart Baverstock came in to make his debut, and the away side were also without midfielder Jamie Pitman.

A lively first half proceeded, with Woking's back line stretched by Hereford's attack. Chances came Hereford's way, firstly from Gavin Williams. The Welshman's had his effort saved by Baverstock, who turned the ball around the post, and he was soon called into action again when young full-back John Shirley hit a testing twenty five yard drive goalwards, but Baverstock saved well.

To imply that it was one way traffic would be wrong. Charlie Griffin had an effort blocked by the legs of Bulls' goalkeeper Baker, and soon after Matt Hayfield somehow missed an open goal, firing over from just ten yards out. Baverstock had to save his side again in the first period, firstly when one-on-one with Gavin Williams, the youngster came out on top to keep the score 0-0, and then from Phil Robinson, which was deflected wide. The former Stoke player picked up a knock just before the break, and failed to return for he second half. John Snape came on in his place. Paul Parry and Gavin Williams again were foiled by the Woking defence as the score remained 0-0 at half time.

The second half began and the game began to change, with Woking coming more into the action. Charlie Griffin hit wide whilst one-on-one with Baker, and then Hereford boss Graham Turner brought off the lively Paul Parry for Matt Clarke, but Woking were continuing to pressure the Hereford goal. It came as no surprise when the away side took the lead with nineteen minutes left. A left footed in-swinging corner from Scott Steele met the head of Steve Perkins who hit a unstoppable bullet-like ball past Baker.

Moments later, Steve Bull replaced the disappointing Gavin Williams and Bull almost got on the scoresheet eight minutes from time when he hit wide. Hereford pressurised the Woking goal in the last ten minutes, but couldn't break the deadlock.

With their minds on the FA Trophy semi-final, it was no surprise that Woking emerged victorious and Hereford were again poor in front of goal and have now lost their third league match at Edgar Street this season.

Referee Mr. S. Tanner of Bristol booked four Woking players; West, Boardman and Smith for fouls and Griffin for unsporting behaviour. An attendance of 1,280 turned out, but a higher crowd will appear on Saturday as Hereford push for a place in the FA Trophy final.

Hereford - Baker, Clarke, Wall, James, Shirley, Rodgerson, Parry, Crowe, Giddings, Williams, Robinson
Substitutions - Snape (46), Clarke (62), Bull (72).

Man of the Match - Stuart Baverstock.