Hereford face Kington Town tonight and it's been 10 years since the last meeting. Here's a look back to Tuesday 14th February 2006
Bulls cruise into local final
Hereford United put seven past local side Kington Town in a one sided encounter at Park Road this evening in front of around 250 supporters. A strong eleven was put out by Graham Turner including youngster Sam Gwynne as captain. Craig Mawson started in goal, Alex Jeannin played in an unfamiliar place in the middle of defence and Rob Purdie returned after illness. Stuart Fleetwood partnered Andy Williams up front.
United made a lively start to the game with Gwynne looking dangerous, he fired a decent drive forcing Kington keeper Kirkham to tip over. From the resulting corner, The Bulls took the lead. Dean Beckwith collected in the box and passed to Williams, who, from 8 yards, shot past the helpless Kirkham. Good work down the right from Daryl Taylor nearly resulted in a second for Hereford when Stanley connected well on the volley from the cross but Kirkham was equal to it. Fleetwood's low shot from 20 yards was easily held by Kirkham but United were looking more and more like getting a second as the half progressed. Gwynne played a neat ball through the home side's defence and Fleetwood once again managed to get a shot in, this time it caused the 'keeper more concern but again he pulled of a decent save. Hereford finally made it two just minutes after; Williams did well to play in Fleetwood and his left foot shot gave the 'keeper no chance, scoring for the first time for Hereford.
Shortly after Rob Purdie's pace was too much for the Kington defence to handle as he ran into the box and was bought down. Simon Travis stepped up as the unlikely penalty taker, but he confidentally dispatched it into the corner giving Hereford a three goal advantage. Jeannin had a free kick tipped over by Kirkham and the 'keeper denied Fleetwood a second when his curling effort was parried out, but United had a strong appeal for a penalty at the end of the first half. Williams ran past the defender and was blatantly bought down, yet the referee failed to award a penalty, probably because of the earlier decision to award one.
Turner kept with the same eleven to start the second half, deciding against resting any first team players for the trip to Canvey. Fleetwood searched for a second as he took on the Kington defence, but after beating the keeper his touch was heavy and he couldn't direct the ball into the back of the net. A quick corner gave Fleetwood the opportunity to curl a shot but it narrowly missed the far top corner.
Stansfield came on for Jeannin and took up a role in central defence, and youngster Adam Worton replaced Purdie. Kington failed to test Mawson throughout the game, but their number 9 went close with a long range effort. Stanley raced on to a Fleetwood through ball, and was bought down by the 'keeper and the ref had no option but to give the second penalty of the game. Up stepped Fleetwood, who made no mistake, blasting home for his second of the evening.
Another youngster Kane Kahaki replaced Andy Williams, with Stansfield switching back to his preferred role up front. Gwynne picked up a booking for a late challenge which some supporters thought was harsh. The Bulls then took full advantage of a tiring Kington side, Ryan Green linked up well with Daryl Taylor down the right before delivering a inch perfect cross for Stansfield, who bagged his first of the evening. Yet it was Stansfield's strike partner, Fleetwood who made the biggest impression by gaining his hattrick. He curled a free-kick past the helpless Kirkham to make it six.
Stansfield then missed a simple chance after Stanley's toe poke had been blocked. Stansfield fired the rebound over the bar when it looked easier to score, but it was Stansfield who completed the rout by making it seven, running down the left hand side of the box before firing home from 15 yards.
Hereford won the game with ease, as they were expected despite the difficult playing conditions. Fleetwood will be pleased that he is off the mark with his hattrick, and Gwynne impressed in his midfield role. Youngsters Worton and Kahaki got their first ever senior games, but praise must all be given to Kington goalie Kirkham who made a string of good saves throughout the game to keep the score at just seven.
HUFC: Mawson, Green, Travis, Beckwith, Jeannin, Taylor, Gwynne, Stanley, Purdie, Williams, Fleetwood.
Subs: Lewis, Stansfield, Ferrell, Kahaki, Worton.