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Trevor Benjamin played a pivotal role as Hereford United came away from Underhill with a 2-1 victory. Despite an early strike from Barnet winger Jason Puncheon, Hereford fought back with goals in either half from Benjamin and Theo Robinson. The turning point however was a red card for Bee's defender Joe Devera after he had pulled Benjamin back on the edge of the box, and was adjudged to be the last man.
Graham Turner named the same side that defeated Yeovil in the Carling Cup in mid-week, but there were changes on the bench with Michael Ingham and Sam Gwynne taking the places of Karl Lewis and Simon Johnson respectively. Ian Hendon started for Barnet, whilst former Bulls loanee Nicky Nicolau was given the task of keeping Lionel Ainsworth quiet.
Hereford played the first half up the infamous Barnet slope and Barnet looked the better team early on, with the lively Anthony Thomas firing powerfully over the bar from 25 yards. The opening goal came for The Bees in the 13th minute, when Hereford failed to clear the ball, the ball was headed to Puncheon who struck a delightful half volley out of Wayne Brown's reach, and into the top corner. The Bulls didn't look in the match, but just two minutes after Puncheon's strike, this all changed. Benjamin got the wrong side of the Barnet defence, and Devera pulled back at the former Peterborough striker. The referee at first didn't look interested, but a wave of the flag from his assistant changed this. After a short talk with the assistant, the ref showed a straight red to Devera. The resulting free-kick was struck over by Clint Easton.
The red card helped United to spring into life, and both Robinson and Ainsworth had notable efforts on goal. The pair then linked up for Hereford's best chance of the match so far, Ainsworth found a yard down the right and crossed for Robinson, who leaped high above Hendon, but saw his header tipped over by Lee Harrison in the Barnet goal. Ainsworth was again involved as he put in a low cross for Benjamin, but the big striker sliced his shot wide of goal from a decent position. A few minutes before half-time, Hereford were awarded a penalty after an Ainsworth free-kick was handled in the box by Max Porter. Benjamin took responsibility from the spot, and powerfully placed his shot to the right of the keeper to level the match at 1-1.
Much like the first half, Barnet started the second better with Sagi Burton's burst out of defence, resulting in a low shot at Brown for the former Shrewsbury man. Puncheon also struck a long range shot into the arms of Brown, whilst Thomas fired wide after some nifty footwork in the Bulls box. Hereford responded against the 10 men of Barnet, with much of the possession and Benjamin threatening again. Ben Smith played a ball to Benjamin in the Barnet box, and he fired a low shot across the keeper and inches wide of the goal. The winner came in the 67th minute for Hereford, and it was Benjamin again involved. Richard Rose played a pass through to Smith, who played the ball into Benjamin; the striker struck a shot first time which rebounded off the post, but Robinson was on hand to tap in and give Hereford the lead.
The game settled for the remaining 20 minutes, with both sides making chances. Kris Taylor and Steve Guinan came on for Hereford, in place of Smith and Benjamin, whilst Paul Fairclough opted for Liam Hatch and Stephane Seanla to take to the field, replacing Adam Birchall and Ashley Carew. Both sides battled, as the minutes went away, although Barnet never looked like troubling United. Sam Gwynne was then introduced for Theo Robinson late on, and soon picked up a booking for his troubles after a handball. Good battling in the midfield from Toumani Diagouraga resulted in Easton shooting low and Harrison tipping the ball around the post. Barnet goalkeeper Harrison joined The Bees attack as they had a series of corners and free-kicks, but Hereford held on for their first league victory of the season.
Underhill is not an easy place to go and get a result, so for Hereford to take the points is an excellent result. Barnet looked lively early on, but the red card completely changed the game, and The Bulls were allowed to play with some freedom and pressurise Barnet, with Benjamin looking lively. 380 Hereford fans, of a 1790 crowd, will be pleased with the performance and are sure to be looking forward to Rochdale next weekend at Edgar Street.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Rose, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Ainsworth, Easton, Diagouraga, Smith, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Taylor, Gwynne, Guinan,
Barnet: Harrison, Hendon, Devara, Burton, Nicolau, Porter, Carew, Leary, Puncheon, Thomas, Birchall.
Subs: Beckwith, Coles, Hart, Senla, Hatch.