Back when the top Conference clubs played in the LDV Trophy. Hereford faced Reading in this tie. Gavin Williams the scorer.
Reading 1 Howie 2 Viveash 3 Hunter 4 Murty 5 Caskey 6 Jones 7 Cureton 8 Igoe 9 Mcintyre 10 Gray 11 Rougier Subs Henderson, Gurney Attendance 1,693
HEREFORD UNITED 1 -2 READING
LDV Vans Trophy Southern Section Second Round.
Hereford were eliminated from the LDV Vans Trophy last night, but far
from humiliated against Division Twon high-flyers Reading. The home side
were without Matt Baker who had flu, Matt Clarke, Steve Bull, Paul
Parry and Tony James, whilst Reading had almost a full squad to pick
from.
From the off, the away side showed their authority and it took just
three minutes for Jamie Cureton to create his first shot of the evening.
However, his effort was blocked by former Charlton fullback Paul
Sturgess.
The Bulls matched Reading in the early period, and Robin Elmes headed
wide from a Michael McIndoe corner on eleven minutes. A further eleven
minutes later, Gavin Williams almost gave his side the lead on twenty
three minutes, when Ian Rodgerson knocked a good ball through. However,
Williams managed to mess it up, running across goal before losing
possession when one-on-one with Howie.
Both sides continued to have chances as Caskey skimmed the Hereford
crossbar, and John Snape hit straight at Howie. Ian Wright also turned a
McIndoe corner wide. Alan Pardew's side took the lead on thirty six
minutes as former Spurs midfielder and Reading captain Darren Caskey hit
a good cross to star striker Jamie Cureton. The former Bristol City man
turned and hit a great shot from eighteen yards past Cooksey and high
into the net.
Despite conceding, Cooksey was in good form for much of the evening
despite suffering badly from flu. However, he was at fault for the
second Reading goal. Itsix minutes of the half remaining, as Tony
Rougier hit a low cross from the right hand side to Jimmy McIntyre, and
the Scotsman scored from close range. The goal really was the result of
poor defending by the Bulls, which I suspect Graham Turner will
criticise after the game.
After the break, Reading's Sammy Igoe received a McIntyre pass but
fluffed his shot, hitting over the crossbar from close range. The
McIntyre should have lengthened the scoreline when he hit a close range
effort wide of Cooksey's post.
Hereford looked second best at this stage, but pushed their way back
after Ian Wright headed off the line from Jamie Cureton. They started to
get back into the game and good tackles from Ian Rodgerson and Phil
Robinson showed United's dogged perseverance.
The Bulls pulled a deserved goal back with twenty minutes remaining, as
Adrian Viveash's passback was missed by goalkeeper Scott Howie, and
Gavin Williams took the ball goalwards before hitting a sweet shot
across goal, and it was knocked in off the far post.
Gavin Williams almost created the chance that could have resulted in an
equaliser two minutes later. His cross was missed in the box by McIndoe
and the chance trickled away.
All in all, United fans cannot argue that they were hard done by, by
Graham Turner's side showed they can compete against league sides and
rose to the occasion. Matt Clarke was sorely missed, but Kerry Giddings
was a breath of fresh air when he entered the fray.
Referee Mr P Rejer of Tipton made two bookings on the night. Reading's Hunter and Gray were both cautioned for fouls.
Hereford - Cooksey, Rodgerson, Gardiner, Robinson, Wright, Wall, Snape, Sturgess, McIndoe, Elmes, Williams
Substitutions - Giddings (67).
Man of the Match - Gavin Williams.