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BN goes back to March 11th 2000 and a Nationwide Conference game between Hereford and Hednesford.
HEREFORD United 3 - 0 Hednesford Town
Hereford United went into this match hoping to extend their unbeaten to eleven matches, and aiming to move up to third in the league table. Due to the recall of Scott Cooksey and the sale of Mark Jones, Andy Quy was brought back into the first team after six months out with a knee tendon injury. Paul Fewings missed the match through injury, as did Ian Wright and Steve Piearce, but Mark Taylor was still recovering and was named as a substitute.
The first real effort of the game came with a good long ball into the box in the fourth minute. A quality ball from Parry was met by the head of Robin Elmes who headed it over the advancing Stuart Ford in the Hednesford goal to make the score one nil as his header from the far post was hit across goal into the net. However, Hednesford hit back immediately and in the fifth minute a long run from Twynham put him one-on-one with the 'keeper who jumped towards the ball and cleared. A minute later Hednesford had a corner which was headed wide of the goal.
However, it was Hereford who had the best of the play in the early stages. A Sturgess cross was knocked back but Robin Elmes had his shot blocked. There were efforts for Hereford where the defence struggled to clear with goalmouth scrambles, but Hednesford had a good chance on twenty minutes when Quy had to clear with his legs. The clearance released Parry but the cross didn't match the run as it was cleared. Throughout the afternoon, Parry played well but when confronted by a defender stuttered and more often than not lost the ball. It was well be a day that the Chepstow born youngster will want to forget as he had a good run midway through the half but went down injured a metre from the sideline just outside the Hednesford area. However, it was at least thirty seconds until he was treated because play had moved to the other end of the field. He was soon back and ready to play on
Leroy May, up front for Hereford, was not on the ball in the first half and the Hereford United defence also made some mind-boggling passbacks when under pressure. On the half hour, however, Ian Rodgerson had a corner kick. It came into the box put was palmed away by the goalkeeper. Rodgerson played in the centre next to Snape and Clarke played out-wide on the right to make up for the loss of Mark Taylor through injury.
Matt Clarke had a good effort which went wide from a good piece of skill by Parry on thirty-two, but he clashed with the goalkeeper soon after and it resulted in him receiving treatment. There were no chances for either side in the rest of the half, as things got a bit scrappy.
The second half brought back the scrappy encounter that the fans had seen in the first, and this became apparent in the first minute with a goalmouth scramble. Eventually the United team scored but it was disallowed thanks to a foul. A minute later it was Hednesford's turn to attack, but Quy saved well from a freekick from twenty-five yards. On fifty minutes Hednesford had another chance thanks to Neil Davis, but Quy lifted the ball from his feet.
Scott Goodwin was yellow carded soon after a foul on Ian Rodgerson who had to receive treatment. A free kick was awarded wide on the United right thirty yards out but the 'keeper plucked the ball from the air. Matt Clarke had his shirt pulled on the hour, and Chris Brindley, Hednesford's centre back, was booked. The free-kick, in almost an identical position to the previous one, was passed to May in the box who turned but fired into the 'keeper's hands. Clarke had a good effort soon after, but it went wide. The referee was particularly impressive as he was up with the match, unlike some of his colleagues that have been asked to referee at Edgar Street this season!
With twenty-three minutes left, Hednesford's Twynham had a good run but, when one-on-one with Quy, fell over and Quy saved. Three minutes later, a foul on Clarke meant a corner but the home fans were protesting for a penalty. Hednesford made a substituation as Twynham who had been unimpressive upfront, was replaced by Ged Kimmins, and soon after replaced Ian Robertson with Stuart Airdrie. The home side brought off Parry for Williams. Further chances came, but none that really troubled either goalkeeper until Lane's long throw was met by Elmes. He couldn't get the shot in but managed to knock over the Hednesford 'keeper instead!
The second goal eventually came three minutes before time thanks to Gavin Williams. He made a great run from the half way line into the box and GOAL! United went 2-0 up. However, Jim Kelly was booked after the goal for fighting. The third goal, in added time, came from a Rodgerson corner. Elmes met it with a diving header to knock it past the goalkeeper and seal a convincing victory for Hereford United.
The man of the match award was given to John Snape who battled well in the midfield all afternoon and probably deserved the award.
Attendance = 2,122
Man of the match - John Snape
Hereford - Quy, Lane, James, Clarke, White, Rodgerson, Parry, Snape, May, Elmes, Sturgess
Sub who came on - Williams
Other subs - Subs not used: Rudall, Taylor, Warren, Shirley.