FROM THE ARCHIVES | Kidderminster Harriers 1-4 Hereford United - 1st January 1998

During the 1997/1998 season and in the GM Vauxhall Conference. Hereford United faced Kidderminster Harriers twice over the festive period. A 1-0 win at Edgar Street on Boxing Day courtesy of a Neil Grayson penalty earnt the three points in the home match.

Then on the 1st January 1998 a trip to Aggborough saw Hereford come away 4-1 winners. Richard Leadbeater scored a first half hat trick that afternoon. He would later retire from football at the relatively young age of 26 and became a reverend.

Read his story below.

MY HEREFORD UNITED STORY | Richard Leadbeater - Herefordshire’s Independent Source of News & Information (yourherefordshire.co.uk)

Photo supplied by Ron Parrott.

And here's a report of that game at Kidderminster 25 years ago.

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers 1 Hereford United 4 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford United's second double of the season was decisive from start to finish, with the first goal coming from Richard Leadbetter in the 9th minute.

Leadbetter who is currently on a months loan from Wolves laid claim to a wonderful hat-trick. The first goal was set up by Hereford's top goal scorer, Neil Grayson, who made a high curling cross to outside the back post where Leadbetter was waiting to finish it with a well taken header.

His second came when a shot came back off the post to him. His shot also hit the post, but the Kidderminster keeper, Steadman, was grounded and the ball rebounded back into the net.

The third came from a beautifully taken shot from just outside the area to leave the Kidderminster defence in tatters.

Three nil down, Kidderminster made more of an effort in the second half but the work rate of Hereford still overwhelmed them. Although they did have an attempt by Chris Brindley headed off the line by John Brough, allowing time for Andy Quy to recover and punch the ball out of play for a corner.

Tony Agana also made a return to the squad when he was brought on as a substitute for Neil Grayson in the 63rd minute. Agana scored his first goal since being injured back in August when he completed the cross from Leadbetter.

Kidderminster did manage a consolation goal in the closing seconds when Wayne Thomas scored direct from a free kick, but it was far to little to late.

This was however, just the result Hereford where looking for in anticipation of their cup tie against Tranmere Rovers on Sunday.