It was a repeat of last season's encounter today as Hereford United fell to a 2-1 defeat at Grimsby; the first away points that The Bulls have dropped. A first half opener from Danny Boshell gave Grimsby a deserved lead, before Tom Newey struck a free-kick to make it 2-0. Trevor Benjamin then powered home his fifth of the season but United failed to muster up a comeback and fell to their first away defeat of the league season.
The starting line up was completely unchanged from last week, but there was a place on the bench for returning international Trent McClenhan, in place of Sam Gwynne. United came out of the traps quickly, and Toumani Diagouraga was unlucky in front of goal when his guided header from a Lionel Ainsworth cross narrowly missed the target. A quick counter-attack led to Clint Easton finding space on the left hand side of the box, but his deflected shot was pushed wide by Grimsby 'keeper Phil Barnes. Grimsby looked good in possesion, but offered little up front, although Newey tested Wayne Brown from 30 yards with a rasping drive.
It was Newey who was in the thick of the action as the breakthrough was made. He found space on the left hand side and delivered a fine cross towards the back post. Boshell slid in to beat Ben Smith to the ball and give Grimsby the lead. Too often, United were giving Grimsby too much room on the ball, and Grimsby had plenty of possesion in the first period. Benjamin went close either side of a Jamie Clarke free-kick which went wide. Firstly, Benjamin weakly headed at Barnes, and then he powerfully met a Easton cross from the left, but from close range, couldn't hit the target.
The second half was soon rewarded with the second goal, coming in the 51st minute. Easton mis-timed a tackle, and gave away a dangerous free-kick. Newey placed the ball and managed to beat the wall and also beat Brown at his near post. The reaction of Brown made it clear that the wall should have done a better job, but the keeper will be extremely dissapointed at being beaten at his near post. United should have got right back in it, with Steve Guinan capitalising on a poor defensive head back, by beating the keeper to the ball. He took his time before shooting, but a defensive block diverted the ball onto the post and it was eventually cleared.
The two goal advantage didn't last long. Benjamin pulled a goal back, after starting, and then finishing the move. He switched the play to find Easton, who held the ball up to find the overlap of Kris Taylor. The former Walsall man fired a ball across goal and Benjamin slammed home from close range at the back post. Grimsby reacted to the goal, bringing off Paul Bolland and replacing him with the fresh legs of Andy Taylor. The sub nearly paid dividends immediately, after breaking clear when Broadhurst mis-judged a header. However, a quick reaction from Brown closed the angle Taylor had to shoot at, and the goalie saved with his legs. In the aftermath of that change, Ciaran Toner smashed wide.
Theo Robinson, pictured, replaced Guinan as Hereford looked to inject some pace, whilst Gary Jones was bought on to inject some power to the Grimsby attack with Isaiah Rankin making way. The experienced striker, who scored twice against Hereford last season, put an effort wide just minutes after coming on. Toumani Diagouraga, booked earlier on in the game, made way for Luke Webb, as Graham Turner looked to shake things up. After a scrappy period, a piece of magic from Ainsworth nearly forced the equalisier. He cut in from the right hand side, beating two players before shooting with his left foot; Barnes managed to get a hand to it though and push it away.
Defender Ryan Bennett was bought on to help the cause for Grimsby, with Danny Boshell leaving the field. Weak efforts from Benjamin at one end, and Taylor at the other were the notable chances until the final minutes. Firstly, Webb played a clever ball through to Benjamin, but his powerful shot was deflected over before perhaps the best chance for United to equalise. Smith touched the ball into Robinson, who managed to shoot low and hard, but Barnes was once again equal to it, and saved with his feet. Grimsby held on to claim their first home win of the season, and Hereford went home empty handed.
The excellent start to the away season was always going to come to and end, and today was the day. Watched by 3699, including just 138 from Hereford, Grimsby looked a solid unit, but Hereford never really looked like getting into top gear. A positive to be taken from the game could be that Benjamin has scored in every away game this season. However, his prescence, along with Guinan, was easily dealt with today, with the lack of pace helping Grimsby's defence to cope. Next up is another tough looking away trip to Notts County. Memories of Tim Sills' goal late on last season will be remembered, as Hereford look to return to winning ways.
Hereford: Brown, Rose, Taylor, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Ainsworth, Easton, Diagouraga, Smith, Guinan, Benjamin.
Subs: Ingham, McClenahan, McCombe, Webb, Robinson.
Grimsby: Barnes, Clarke, Newey, Fenton, Whittle, Till, Toner, Bolland, Boshell, Mulligan, Rankin.
Subs: Montgomery, Bennett, Bore, Taylor, Jones.