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| Steve Guinan with Lionel Ainsworth And Toumani Diagouraga Celebrating His Hat-Trick - Picture Copyright Andy Compton |
Not only did Steve Guinan score a hat-trick but a streaker jumped over the Meadow End wall and onto the pitch.
A look back to January 17th 2009:
United run riot against Latics
Hereford
United gained revenge on Oldham Athletic for their 4-0 drubbing at
Boundary Park with an excellent 5-0 home win over The Latics. The Bulls
came out of the traps immediately with Steve Guinan heading in before he
tapped in a second. Lionel Ainsworth smashed in a third from
close-range before Guinan completed his hattrick with a neat close-range
finish. In the second-half, Ainsworth put the icing on the cake with a
cool finish in front of 3342 at Edgar Street, including 703 following
the visitors.
After
nearly three weeks without a game since the visit to Leicester, Graham
Turner had plenty of time to think of his selection and opted to bring
in Sam Hewson and Andy Williams at the expense of Ben Smith and Nick
Chadwick, who departed Edgar Street last week. Oldham, flying high in
third place and unbeaten in ten before today's encounter, started with a
wealth of experience up front in Dean Windass and Lee Hughes whilst the
highly-rated winger Chris Taylor started.
The
first attacking opportunity of the afternoon resulted in the opening
goal. Matty Done took a long-throw from the left and Guinan's flick
header ended up in the back of the net after some hesitation from
Latics' 'keeper Greg Fleming. The visitors came close to levelling
immediately after a strong run down the right from Deane Smalley saw the
youngster cut-back for Windass who struck first-time against the
outside of the post. Williams tried his luck on two occasions but
couldn't find the goal he is so badly seeking; a 50 yard half-volley
dipped over whilst a flick from Guinan was well controlled by the
Bristol Rovers loanee but he struck just past the post. Hereford doubled
their advantage with Williams involved in the build-up; his neat flick
allowed Ainsworth to race against Oldham's left-back Kelvin Lomax in a
non-competition and Ainsworth sprinted clear down the right and into the
box before picking out Guinan with a low-cross and the striker tapped
in with his left-foot.
Kris
Taylor saw a half-volley fly past the far-post whilst moments later,
another strike from K.Taylor was well-held by Fleming. At the other end,
a rare Oldham attack saw Danny Whitaker shoot tamely from 20 yards into
the body of Craig Samson. A pass from Smalley allowed Hughes to test
Karl Broadhurst, turning the defender before seeing a shot be claimed by
Samson. United made it three just shy of the half-hour mark when
Ainsworth grabbed his second of the season. It all started with Richard
Rose winning a key-tackle inside his own box before Hereford played
their way up the field with Williams finding himself with the ball out
wide; he crossed towards the back-post where Guinan rose above the
defence but his header hit the bar. Luckily for The Bulls, Ainsworth was
on hand to take one touch before firing powerfully home from
close-range.
Windass
dragged a long-shot well wide for Oldham before Hewson nearly marked
his professional debut with a goal. Williams beat the offside trap
before some neat-trickery on the left allowed him the chance to pick out
the well-timed run of Hewson who headed inches past the post. The
fourth of the afternoon came four minutes before half-time with Guinan
grabbing his hattrick. Hereford worked-hard to win the ball back in the
Oldham half and Toumani Diagouraga's pass released Ainsworth down the
right. The Watford loanee grabbed his second assist by placing the ball
on a plate for Guinan, who had got in front of his defender and neatly
finished past the 'helpless Fleming. Guinan could have had a fourth but
for an excellent defensive block to deny his placed shot following
good-work from Williams to set him up. As half-time loomed, Oldham
nearly pulled one back after C. Taylor had beaten Rose with ease on the
left but his right-footed shot fell agonisingly past the far-post.
There
is no doubt that John Sheridan would have been fuming at half-time and
he opted to change his team about; Mark Allot and Craig Davies replaced
Kevin Maher and Whitaker. The visitors, with the wind on their side this
half, started the half with attacking intent and Windass's turn and
shot was saved by Samson. A well-timed through ball saw Smalley break
the offside trap but he couldn't beat Samson from an angle, after the
Scottish 'keeper had done well to close down the shot. A deep cross from
Neil Eardley was headed wide by Hughes whilst Davies selfishly struck
wide from a tight-angle after a good switch of play. The final goal of
the afternoon was scored mid-way through the second-half with Ainsworth
grabbing a brace. The ball broke loose in the middle of the park and
Lomax looked to be comfortable when going for the ball but the sheer
pace of Ainsworth saw him nick the ball of the former Man City youngster
before racing clear to stroke the ball past Fleming and into the net.
Strong
hold-up play from Guinan saw him set up strike-partner Williams but he
failed to hit the target, whilst soon after Williams went one on one
with Fleming after being released through the middle but he showed signs
of a lack of confidence in front of goal as he attempted to take the
ball around Fleming but was unsuccessful. C. Taylor's superb 25 yard
right-foot curling shot fell just past Samson's post whilst an excellent
flick from Williams saw Guinan hit a volley wide. Samson was called on
to make a number of routine saves as the game drew to a close, firstly
parrying out a low shot from Smalley before holding on to efforts from
long-range efforts from both Windass and C. Taylor. Hereford saw the
game out comfortably, with Turner introducing Smith and Sam Gwynne late
on in place of Hewson and Done whilst there was still time for a
streaker on the pitch who ran nearly the length of the pitch before
finally being tackled by stewards!
The
Bulls ran riot this afternoon with their finest performance of the
season so far. The headlines will be grabbed, rightly so by Guinan and
Ainsworth, both of whom were excellent. Turner will no doubt be looking
to extend Ainsworth's loan for a third and final month. The whole team
played really well too with Samson looking very solid in between the
sticks. A mention also for the midfield partnership of Diagouraga and
Hewson who complimented each other well; the Man Utd loanee wasn't
spectacular, but went about his job superbly breaking up the play on a
number of occasions. Next up for Hereford is a short journey to Walsall
next Saturday; if United play anything like they did today then they
have a fine chance of coming back with the points.
Hereford: Samson, Rose, Gowling, Broadhurst, K. Taylor, Ainsworth, Diagouraga, Hewson, Done, Guinan, Williams.
Subs: Veiga, Beckwith, Gwynne, Smith, Johnson.
Oldham: Fleming, Eardley, Hazell, Gregan, Lomax, Smalley, Maher, Whitaker, C. Taylor, Hughes, Windass.
Subs: Stam, Allot, Liddell, Alessandra, Davies.
After the game Steve Guinan was interviewed by BBC Hereford and Worcester.
Right Foot Left Foot and a Header as well - Guinan
On top of that he scored Hereford United's 1,500th League Goal. His tally for this season is now nine.
"It's been a long time since we as a team have annihilated a team especially first half. I think at times we were absolutely sensational. Some of the attacking play was brilliant. I think a lot of teams would have found it difficult to live with us let alone a team like Oldham who are third," Guinan told BBC Hereford and Worcester.
"We hoped at half time the job was done, second half we were not as fluid going forward. We knew they would have a go at us. It was a relief to see Lionel getting his second - I think that put the game to bed.
"Lionel Ainsworth and Matt Done when they go forward it must be a nightmare for a full back, I'd dread to play against them. But all credit to all of the lads today I thought everyone put in a really good performance.
"I would have been happy to score just one today but scoring a hat-trick in the first half and it's right foot, left foot and a header as well. That's the first one of those I've had."
Finally:
Streaker at the Street
With
the Bulls scoring five goals this afternoon there had already been
plenty of entertainment at Edgar Street well before the end of the game.
But when a streaker jumped onto the pitch from the Meadow End during a
convenient break in play in some peoples eyes it made the day.
With a chill wind blowing everywhere the slightly portly fellow ran across the pitch towards the Oldham supporters but was eventually captured by a few burly stewards and promptedly 'escorted' out of sight.
Bulls striker Andy Williams was probably the only person in the ground not to notice the streaker. He was down by the Oldham goal being treated for a knock by physio Jamie Pitman.
The incident was caught on camera and can be seen at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7kP5XUUj0mM
With a chill wind blowing everywhere the slightly portly fellow ran across the pitch towards the Oldham supporters but was eventually captured by a few burly stewards and promptedly 'escorted' out of sight.
Bulls striker Andy Williams was probably the only person in the ground not to notice the streaker. He was down by the Oldham goal being treated for a knock by physio Jamie Pitman.
The incident was caught on camera and can be seen at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7kP5XUUj0mM