It's back to March 2001 for today's archive article and a defeat for Hereford United.
HEREFORD UNITED 0 - 1 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE
Conference form team Dagenham & Redbridge continued their good run with a deserved single goal victory at Edgar Street, where Hereford United had lost just once in the league this season. Their last home defeat came against Doncaster back in December, but Dagenham both outclassed and outscored their hosts to secure a vital victory.
Hereford lined up with three changes to the team which was defeated at Stevenage Borough on Monday evening. Gavin Williams and Ian Rodgerson missed out through injury so Kerry Giddings partnered Robin Elmes in attack, and Paul Parry made a welcome return to the side. Also absent was Paul Sturgess as he was ill, and so James Wall filled the left back berth.
Former Wales goalkeeper Tony Roberts started for Dagenham, and also playing was Tim Cole and Paul Terry, both of who scored in Dagenham's 2-1 defeat of Hereford last September. Jason Broom made his 300th appearance for the side.
Hereford largely dominated proceedings in the opening stages on a heavy pitch. Jimmy Quiggin made a good run in the opening minute as he passed through the defence. However, Steve Heffer cleared behind for a corner. Soon after, midfielder John Snape had an emphatic attempt on goal but fired over the crossbar from the edge of the area.
James Wall had a shot going well wide, before Robin Elmes headed on a good free kick from Paul Parry, but Tony Roberts had no trouble collecting Elmes' attempt. On fifteen minutes, Paul Parry floated in a second free-kick from the right which captain Ian Wright headed goalwards, but Roberts saved easily. Parry then decided to 'go-it-alone' with another free-kick, but caused Roberts no problems. On twenty six minutes, Kerry Giddings was flagged offside when he was probably on, and was through on goal.
However, the direction of play then dramatically changed and Hereford were lucky to be in at half time with a goalless draw. For that, they can thank Scott Cooksey who punched away a corner and had to clear two throughballs which the defence should have sorted out. The Daggers gained five corners in quick succession to show their superiority.
Graham Turner can't have been very happy at the break, but it was Garry Hill's teamtalk that did the business. Hereford took of Jimmy Quiggin, who had picked up an injury, and replaced him with Craig Hanson who had recovered from injury. It was Hanson's first appearance since coming on as a sub in the FA Cup defeat at Woking last October. Dagenham's Jason Broom had an effort svaed by Cooksey on fourty seven, and a minute later, brought on Kieran Gallagher as Broom limped off.
In attack, Hereford were missing the pace of Gavin Williams and Kerry Giddings looked like no replacement for the young star. Dagenham came out all guns blazing, and has a close range header saved by the outstanding Cooksey on 53 minutes, and the former Shrewsbury shotstopper was called into action again when he hacked a Heffer ball away. Three minutes later, Paul Parry mis-kicked to let Lee Goodwin through, and his low cross left Cooksey with no chance of stopping Paul Terry's right footed effort from close range.
The introduction of Steve Bull for Giddings did little as there was no service from the flanks. Admittedly, Craig Hanson and Matt Clarke tried hard to create something down the right but Wall looked out of place at left back and Parry seemed inclined to come inside instead of using the left flank. Long balls were hit down the centre, using Elmes as the target man, but this did little to break down the Daggers' defence.
On seventy eight minutes, Craig Hanson went close after a good run with a low shot, but causing few problems for Roberts, but Dagenham were still on top and went close through Jones. In the final minute, Parry almost gained an equaliser but Dagenham held out to secure a vital three points. This must have been United's worst performance this season, and no doubt Garry Hill's men will be delighted with their victory.
The referee, Mr. K. Pike of Gillingham, Kent, made four bookings in the game, all for fouls. Paul Terry, brother of John, of Chelsea, was cautioned midway through the first period, and then Gallagher with sixteen minutes remaining. James Wall was also booked late on, and in the final minute Phil Robinson was carded by the referee.
The 1561 crowd watching the match will be disappointed with the defeat, but with two league games before the FA Trophy semi-final, Hereford need to be focused on reaching the LDV Vans Trophy and finishing in the highest possible league position.
Hereford - Cooksey, Wall, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, James, Quiggin, Snape, Parry, Elmes, Giddings
Substitutions - Hanson (45), Bull (64).
Man of the Match - Scott Cooksey.