BN looks back to this weekend in January 2001 and a home game in the Conference against Hayes. The team were playing well but the gates were poor and chairman Graham Turner was desperate for investment in the club.
HEREFORD UNITED 3 - 2 HAYES (January 20th 2001)
Having already beaten Hayes 2-0 at Church Road in September, the Bulls
were going for their first league double of the season at Edgar Street
this afternoon - but it didn't come from the predicted sources of goals.
Substitute Kerry Giddings scored twice to pull the game round to
Hereford's advantage and secure all three points.
Hereford boss Graham Turner thought star striker Gavin Williams had
recovered sufficiently from his injury to start up-front alongside Rob
Elmes, but Steve Bull was missing.
Hayes decided, probably wisely, not to field Jimmy Quinn, a Hereford
player for just three matches earlier in the season. Alvin Watts (wrist)
and Jason Googliffe (ankle) also missed out, so Terry Brown named just
three substitutes for the London side.
From the off it was clear that the away side were a force to be reckoned
with, dominating early periods of play and Scott Cooksey was the busier
of the two 'keepers. In fact, Moore and Boylan both had chances to beat
him from long range but the dominant figure was equal to the shots.
Hereford's captain Ian Wright hit a long range effort over the crossbar
of Paul Gothard in one of the home side's few first have chances at the
Blackfriars End.
Hayes took a deserved lead on thirty five minutes when Barry Moore got
hold of the ball thirty yards from goal. He hit a cracking shot
goalwards which bounced awkwardly and past Cooksey into the goal.
Hereford looked second best, but Gavin Williams made a good chance soon
after the goal. However, Gothard was equal to the shot, as he was when
Rob Elmes hit a close range effort straight at him minutes later.
The interval resulted in two changes for the Bulls. Captain Ian Wright
picked up a muscle strain and Gavin Williams was suffering with the
injury that had prevented him from training this week. Both were taken
off, Matthew Gardiner taking up the central defensive role and Kerry
Giddings partnering Elmes.
Giddings was much more influential and brought a new dimension to the
home attack, and the side looked in control despite being 1-0 down.
However, it took some twenty three minutes before the pressure could be
converted into goals, mainly down to the good form of the away 'keeper.
The home side got a deserved equaliser on sixty eight minutes when a
corner from Michael McIndoe was knocked on by Elmes for Giddings to push
into the net. Just ninety seconds later, Giddings was up to his tricks
again, beating three defenders on his way to firing a superb second goal
for United. His rasping effort, from fifteen yards, gave Gothard no
chance as United took the lead.
Gothard saved well eight minutes later, but a corner was given. Robin
Elmes made it 3-1 to the Bulls when a short corner, again from McIndoe,
allowed the part-time striker to tap the ball home on the far post. The
introduction of Hayes' three substitutes did nothing to improve their
position as Hereford still had the advantage.
In injury time, Brendan Gallen hit a consolation goal for Hayes. His
effort from the edge of the six yard box was a sweet goal into the top
of the net. However, it was a matter of too little too late.
The referee, Mr. A. Marriner of Birmingham, had a poor game and made
some mind-boggling decisions to say the least. He booked three players,
Hereford's Paul Sturgess for a foul eleven minutes after the break,
Hayes' Steve McKimm and Gallen, again both for wreckless challenges.
A disappointing crowd of 1,368 watched the game, and this will do
nothing to improve the financial position of the club. After two recent
low crowds, the club must be wondering how to bring fans back to Edgar
Street.
Elsewhere, leaders Yeovil went down to ther first home defeat of the
season against third placed Southport. Former United man Chris Lane
scored the only goal late in the game. Doncaster Rovers were 3-0 winners
at lowly Forest Green Rovers, and now move into fifth place as
Stevenage's match at home to Hednesford Town was postponed. Rushden
& Diamonds vs Northwich Victoria was also off. Next week's
opponents, Telford United, recorded a 2-1 home victory over struggling
Nuneaton Borough.
Hereford - Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright, Wall, Rodgerson, Snape, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Giddings (45), Gardiner (45).
Man of the Match - Matt Clarke
Afterwards Kerry Giddings told BBC Hereford & Worcester of his
delight at scoring two vital goals. "I thought we were far superior, but
the pitch didn't help us at all," said Giddings. "In the first half the
surface was very hard, but the rest of the lads softened it up for me
after the break."
He was disappointed, though, that it needed Rob Elmes' third to win the game.
A couple of days later chairman/manager Graham Turner said that Saturday's dismal crowd had meant the club
are unable to fully pay the wages this week. Only 1,368 watched Hayes'
visit to Edgar Street, and Turner said: "We have won and have had a good
run at home the past month, but the worrying thing is the attendance.
The gate of 1368 is not enough to pay the wages."
"Yet we are fourth in the table and probably having our best Conference
season. What a difference it would make if there was a second Conference
promotion place. So I don't really know what more we can do to attract
more through the turnstiles."
And on January 23rd the following statement:
Hereford United FC have released the following statement via the official website:
"Following the disappointment to supporters over the sale of Chris Lane,
we would like to make it clear that the financial position of the club
is critical. Whilst realising that it is not desirable to transfer our
promising players it is unavoidable and will have to continue while the
finances remain in the present state.
"We have actively sought investors and other sources of capital without
success. Last weeks attendance of 1368 was over 1000 short of our
break-even figure, this despite us having lost just one home league game
this season and currently lie fourth place in the Conference.
"The Board of Directors would welcome anyone interested in pursuing an active roll in the club."