Hereford
United came from behind for the second successive away game to claim a
priceless away victory at local rivals Shrewsbury town. Asa Hall had
blasted Shrewsbury into the lead after breaking from midfield, before
Simon Johnson's close-range rebound levelled proceedings. Gary Hooper grabbed the winner mid-way through the second half when he
nodded in to send the away following of 1,655 into raptures.
Two
changes were made from last weekend's home victory over Chesterfield
with both coming in central midfield. Kris Taylor was demoted to the
bench, despite impressing in recent games, with Ben Smith making a
return. Sam Gwynne was out altogether, with new loan signing Stephen
Gleeson joining Smith. Former Conference hotshots Guy Madjo and James
Constable started up front for The Shrews, whilst under pressure manager
Gary Peters handed a debut to left-back James Meredith.
The
Bulls mustered up the first opportunity of the first half, with
Sherjill Macdonald shooting over after linking up with Hooper on the
edge of the box. Moments after, Shrewsbury took the lead with Hall
netting in the sixth minute. Madjo turned Beckwith in the middle of the
park, and played a sidewards pass to the onrushing Hall, who had burst
from midfield in acres of space. The former Birmingham youngster struck
powerfully past Wayne Brown from 18 yards to hand first blood to the
hosts. Smith tried his best to bring things level against his old club,
but a low long shot went wide. The half passed with some neat football,
but little in the way of goalmouth action until Hereford got the
equaliser.
It
came following a fine flowing move, involving the likes of Macdonald,
Hooper and Clint Easton on the edge of the area, with Macdonald bursting
into the box. His low cross was met by Hooper, who saw his initial shot
blocked, and second shot be pushed away by Glyn Garner, before Johnson
finally found the back of the net by smashing in from close-range. The
half ended with a series of half-chances; firstly Smith shot from a
Macdonald lay-off, but again it went wide, whilst Kelvin Langmead's
header went over from a Marc Pugh corner. Finally, Macdonald shot weakly
at Garner from outside the area, before Uriah Rennie blew up for
half-time.
The
second half started with Hooper trying his luck, following again some
good attacking football, and close knit passing. The ball fell to the on
loan Southend striker from the left-hand side of the box, but his low
shot was held by Garner. At the other end, Ben Herd's long shot was
routinely held by Brown before Constable neatly turned on the edge of
the area, but his end shot was woeful and nearer the corner flag down
the goal. Steven Leslie replaced Darren Moss for the home side, as they
continued to probe with some half-chances. Madjo directed the ball
goalwards after a deep cross from Herd wasn't fully cleared, but the
ball fell past the post.
Then
the moment came when United grabbed the win. It came following some
fantastic football, with Macdonald the star. He won the ball on the
half-way line, before turning and running at the defence, using his
strength and pace to good effect. Hooper collected a low-pass from his
strike partner, before feeding the ball out to Johnson on the
right-wing. The goalscorer crossed to the back-post where Macdonald
headed down and Hooper nodded in past Garner in front of the away end. A
fantastic end to a fine move. Hooper's confidence was shown minutes
later, as was Johnson's as they linked-up once more, but the end product
from Johnson let him down as he sent a half-volley into the arms of
Garner.
Chris
Humphrey came on for Pugh, as Shrewsbury injected some pace to their
wing and they came mighty close to equalising when McIntyre went
forward. A deep cross to the back-post was headed back to McIntyre who
sent a flying volley inches past Brown's post. Andy Cooke came on in
place of Meredith, as Shrewsbury added another attacking option, whilst
Theo Robinson replaced Macdonald. The Watford loanee was soon in the
action, setting up Gleeson for a sliced half-volley, before shooting
himself into the advertising boards from an acute angle. Easton didn't
finish the game, as Threlfall took his place, as Hereford looked to see
out the closing stages but Shrewsbury came close to snatching a point.
Again, a deep-cross to the back-post caused problems, and this time
Madjo rose well to head down, but the ball fell just past the near post.
Trevor Benjamin came on for Hooper for the final few minutes, and after
the three added minutes were filled with whistles from the away end,
Uriah Rennie did the honours and blew the all important whistle.
The
result now means Hereford have won five on the bounce, and are looking
good in the automatic promotion places. 7,402 were present at Oteley
Road as United edged a close-game. Again, Macdonald and Hooper did well
up front together, with the latter now scoring in his last five games.
Gleeson made his debut in central midfield, and looked tidy, without
being spectacular. Up next for The Whites is a long trip to Dagenham on
Tuesday night; after the 4-1 victory against The Daggers in early
February, United must be confident they can complete their third double
of the season following previous doubles over Bradford, and Shrewsbury
today.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, McCombe, Rose, Johnson, Smith, Gleeson, Easton, Hooper, Macdonald.
Subs: Ingham, Threlfall, Taylor, Benjamin, Robinson.
Shrewsbury: Garner, Moss, Langmead, Tierney, Meredith, Herd, Hall, McIntyre, Pugh, Constable, Madjo.
Subs: Bevan, Hunt, Leslie, Humphrey, Cooke.
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