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Bulls from last year return
Hereford United claimed their first victory in seven league games this afternoon at Park Lane where Canvey Island were the hosts. The Bulls won convincingly and showed some of the form that they produced in last years' superb campaign. The attacking style and fluency had returned to the United side as they demolished the Gulls 4-0.
Ryan Green, Andy Tretton and Tom Smith were Hereford's three abenstees as they named an unchanged starting eleven from last weeks F.A. Cup success at Southport. Tony James played despite pre-match doubts about his fitness and David Brown, who was replaced with a calf injury early in the game last week, started in the midfield once again.
Ollie Berquez shot wide of the far post before Lee Mills had the first of many shots in the afternoon. Tamika Mkandawire played a ball onto Mills' chest and the attacker turned and struck a twenty five yarder just over the bar. Simon Travis, who caused the Canvey defence problems all match with his runs from right back, crossed for Brown who set up Graham Hyde to volley against Gavin Cowan.
Mills opened the scoring after thirteen minutes with a wonderful finish in the top corner from just outside of the box. Travis passed to the target man who turned and unleashed thunderous shot beyond the reach of 'keeper Danny Potter. Jeff Minton played a ball over the top and an attacker got a shot away although James blocked it for a corner. Soon after United had doubled their advantage.
Adam Stansfield chased what seemed to be a lost cause, as an overhit ball fell close to the corner flag, and managed to skin his marker before crossing low from the byline into the front post. Danny Williams slid in to divert the ball into the back of the net. Mills shot again from distance, this time the ball just flew wide of the bottom corner. Craig Stanley was on the end of Mills' cross just before half time, but his volley was wide. The confidence in a side that hadn't won in six league games was incredible, and the brilliant passages of passing made this evident.
Canvey's half time sub saw the introduction of Matthew Joseph who had little impact on the game. Stansfield caused the centre halves plenty of trouble; he passed Cowan with ease but his cross was deflected into the grateful arms of the goalie. Williams crossed after a free kick for Mills, but his near post header went across goal and inches wide as Hereford pushed for a third. The Gull's best chance came after a cross from the left flank and following a scramble in the six yard box, man of the match Mkandawire seemed to block a shot and divert it out for a corner.
Williams chipped a pass into Mills on the edge of the D, and his flick header found Stansfield in on goal. A delightful back heel had the 'keeper beaten but Cowan recovered to prevent the ball from crossing the line. Another passing move saw a quick switch in play and finally a cross from the left met Mill's head, but Potter caught well. Stansfield was provided with a perfect chance to grab a second when Mills played his strike partner in behind the defence but Stansfield fired over the bar with just the 'keeper in his way.
Mills won the free kick that led to the third goal when he was pushed just outside of the penatly area. Williams swung the cross in and Lee Mills headed in across the goalie from the far post. Graham Turner made his only change when Canvey won a free kick twenty five yards from goal. Jamie Pitman replaced Craig Stanley. The Hereford wall blocked the shot and Brown broke away at pace to start a counter attack. Travis received a pass and took the ball onto the edge of the box where he slid a pass to his left where Stansfield was on hand to drill low past Potter to complete the rout with five minutes remaining.
The Bulls played out the remainder of the game with their supporters cheering every pass, and there were plenty of them. The Bulls fans in the crowd of 921 were reminded of the type of football that was on display last season. Hereford have shown that they can perform in that manner, and now must begin to do it week in, week out if they want to better their current position of fourth in the table.
HUFC Team: Mawson, Travis, Mkandawire, James, Robinson, Williams, Hyde, Stanley, Brown, Mills, Stansfield.
Subs: Scott, Pitman, A.Williams, Purdie, Carey-Bertram.
CVFC Team: Potter, Ward, Cowan, Sterling, Kennedy, Williamson, Duffy, Minton, Berquez, Gregory, Hallet. Subs: Smith, Joseph, Keeling, Harison, Sedgemore.