22 years ago Hereford played Yeovil in the Conference.
A look back:
Oct 8th 2000:
HEREFORD UNITED 2 - 2 YEOVIL TOWN
Yeovil traditionally have been Hereford's bogey side and had won five
out of the six league encounters between the two sides since Hereford's
return to non-league football. Yeovil also won 3-0 against the Bulls in
the McMillan Trophy last season, but this game had slightly more resting
on it. Yeovil were top of the league, and Hereford in fourth. The
situation at the top meant Yeovil were one point ahead of Rushden and
seven of Hereford.
Hereford went into the match boosted by the return of Paul Sturgess to
the squad, but he was not to make an immediate return to the first team
as Matt Clarke's performances at left-back have been nothing short of
outstanding this season. Meanwhile, Ian Wright failed to overcome a neck
injury and was replaced by Matt Gardiner and Craig Hanson replaced by
Ian Rodgerson.
Defender Paul Steele missed out with a groin injury and his replacement
was Tom White, who spent some time at Edgar Street on loan last season.
Yeovil striker Nick Crittenden made the game after an injury.
The action started early and Hereford took the lead with their opening
attempt on goal. A Michael McIndoe corner from the right side after just
ninety seconds was headed in by Matt Gardiner on his first start for
the club. The goalkeeper, former Hereford man Tony Pennock, was nowhere
to be seen.
The Hereford lead wasn't to last long as on three minutes, a twenty five
yard screamer from Warren Patmore levelled the score at 1-1. Yeovil
then piled on the pressure, with Darren Way hitting just wide from a
similar range and the away side had the best of the early play. However,
Gavin Williams almost got away with blue murder on sixteen minutes as
he punched the ball, Maradona style, past the far post. However, the
assistant spotted the offence and Williams was promptly booked by the
referee. Soon after, McIndoe headed just wide. John Snape also hit a
good shot at a Glover's defender
On twenty two minutes, Barrington Belgrave, who scored the winner last
time Yeovil visited Edgar Street, struck again with a low clean shot.
The ball flew past Scott Cooksey. He cut past Matt Clarke before beating
Cooksey from close range.
A Chris Lane free kick from twenty yards out was hit low into the
goalkeeper's hands, then Gavin Williams' header went just over when he
really should hasve given the home side the lead. On thirty six minutes,
a Yeovil free kick was the result of a foul by Tony James, who was
booked for his infringement of the rules.
Hereford were continually flagged offside by the linesman on the near
side who seemed to like the offside rule a little too much! Meanwhile,
the opposite assistant didn't seem to understand the rule as he rarely
flagged. The home side made a surge at the end of the half but to no
avail, as Yeovil went in 2-1 up at half time.
How Barrington Belgrave missed at the start of the second half is
anyone's guess, but somehow he did! With fifty four minutes on the
clock, Terry Skiverton was cautioned for unsporting behaviour.
A penalty was awarded when Yeovil's Darren Way handballed inside the
area. Chris Lane, who had scored two but missed one from the spot this
season, stepped up. Tony Pennock saved the ball low to his right and
lengthened Lane's success rate to just 50%.
John Snape was booked for unsporting behaviour on sixty eight minutes.
Craig Hanson made a great run down the left side on sixty nine minutes,
before slotting a low ball through to Gavin Williams. The Welsh striker
couldn't fail to score, especially as Pennock had gone to challenge
Hanson. Just after the goal, a brawl broke out just inside the Hereford
half. Twenty one players were involved, including Tony Pennock who had
travelled over half of the field to get involved, but Scott Cooksey kept
out of trouble. Yeovil then bought off Andy Lindegaard for Brad Peters.
A Smith foul resulted in a yellow card, and a free kick to Hereford.
Chris Lane hit a good ball just wide, but the referee told him to retake
it. The second attempt was charged down by the Yeovil wall. Peters was
cautioned on seventy seven minutes for unsporting behaviour.
Barrington Belgrave should have sealed the match for Yeovil soon after,
but hit a low ball into the side netting and also fell over in the
process, making a bit of a fool of himself!
Terry Skiverton was sent off with eight minutes to go for a second
bookable offence. Then Hanson was injured in a challenge, and replaced
by Kerry Giddings. With one minute left, Nick Crittenden came off for
James Bent and then Gavin Williams was sent off for a second bookable
offence.
An attendance of 3,393, the largest of the season at Edgar Street,
included 377 from Yeovil Town saw an eventful game but both sides cannot
argue with the result. The referee, Mr D Spicer from Hampshire, was in
control for the majority and had a sound match. All in all, the result
was a fair one and with Rushden & Diamonds drawing 0-0 at home with
Boston United, none of the top four picked up full points over the
weekend. Hereford must pick up something to close the gap on the top two
when they visit Rushden next weekend, with the Northamptonshire side
going top on goal difference. The gap between them and Hereford is at
seven points, and Graham Turner will be eager to close the gap.
Hereford - Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Gardiner, James, Hanson, Snape, Elmes, Williams, McIndoe
Substitutions - Giddings (86)
Man of the match - Michael McIndoe