Hereford United had to come from behind to seal a comfortable 3-1 victory over local rivals Shrewsbury Town in todays match. Keith Briggs had handed the visitors the advantage, but Trevor Benjamin levelled from the penalty spot after Theo Robinson had been felled just before half-time. The Bulls had to wait until mid-way through the second half to take the lead, when Dean Beckwith nodded in, before Simon Johnson confirmed the points with an excellent placed shot.
The Bulls made one change to the team that drew at Tranmere. Toumani Diagouraga's absence was enforced due to suspension, and Richard Rose came into replace him. Kris Taylor pushed up to partner Ben Smith, against his former employers, with Rose slotting in at left back. Shrewsbury named new signings Briggs and Guy Madjo in their line-up, whilst Kevin McIntyre, yet another signing in recent weeks, faced Hereford for the second time in just under three weeks, after playing for Macclesfield against United on Boxing Day.
Madjo tried to impress the away following in the early exchanges with a quick turn and shot, but the ball trickled well wide. At the other end, a corner by Taylor was headed over by Lee Collins. Hereford pressured Shrewsbury in the early parts of the game, with only a poor touch from Johnson denying him a good scoring opportunity, after a square pass from Robinson, who soon after saw a low effort be held by goalkeeper Glyn Garner. That chance was set up by Benjamin, who then held the ball up well to create another chance, this time for Johnson but his curling effort was pushed away from danger. A Kelvin Langmead header failed to trouble Wayne Brown, and neither did Madjo; despite linking up well with strike partner Andy Cooke, a wild volley ended up at the back of the Meadow End.
The deadlock was broken just after the half-hour mark, when Shrewsbury broke in the middle of the park. The ball found its way to Cooke, who had drawn Rose in, and left Briggs free, who was subsequently found. Briggs cut in from the right hand-side, and saw his shot take a slight deflection that wrong-footed Brown and handed Shrewsbury the slender advantage. United needed a quick-response, and Johnson aimed to give them that, but like his earlier effort, a curling shot was easily held by Garner. Madjo turned in past Rose on the left-hand side before firing a vicious effort over the bar, before United turned up the heat. Firstly, Johnson went on a strong run towards goal, but a challenge denied him a shooting chance. However, the ball fell to Smith and the Bulls captain struck a low shot goalwards which appeared to rebound off the near post. A good chance went begging, but it didn't matter as soon after, Hereford were level. Robinson broke after a ball through by Benjamin, and got himself into the box before he was bought down by Francis Tierney. A penalty was given, after an earlier shout for a foul on Benjamin had been turned down. It was the big striker who stepped up and made no mistake to equal terms, by sending Garner the wrong way.
The second half promised more action after an entertaining first period, played in difficult conditions, due to the wind. Shrews bull-back Darren Moss was replaced by Ben Herd at half-time. The second half took a while to get going with Taylor's free-kick easily held by Garner. Shrewsbury had a period of sustained pressure, like the first half, with firstly young James Ryan placing a shot past the upright, and Briggs volleying wide from-long range. At the other end, Smith tried to replicate last week's spectacular goal at Tranmere, but to no avail as the ball ended up in Merton Meadow. The away side then had a fine chance to take the lead, a corner from the left was swung in dangerously, and Langmead rose with intent, but his goalbound effort was headed off the line by Sam Gwynne. Had the header gone in, the game could have been very different, as just a few minutes later Hereford took the lead.
Following a foul on Taylor, the former Man Utd trainee took the free-kick, and an inswinging ball was flicked on by Beckwith. The ball ended up in the back of the net, perhaps with the aid of a deflection, to the delight of the home support. Gary Peters decided to make two attacking subsitutions, with Marc Pugh and Dave Hibbert replacing Briggs and Cooke respectively. Yet, the changes did little for the visitors, as Johnson wrapped up the win. The ball was picked up in the middle of the park, and after a chest down from Benjamin to Smith, the midfield man fed a pass out to the left wing where Johnson struck a first time shot, from the corner of the box into the far corner of the goal. It was an excellent finish, and well deserved for Johnson, who had been troublesome throughout. The former Darlington winger nearly added another goal to his name, after again coming in from the left-hand side but this time, his shot went the wrong side of the far post. United saw out the remaning minutes, despite Pugh twice having half-chances. Brown dealt with the first effort with ease, but a second saw Pugh's cross turn into a shot, and it struck the bar before being cleared.
The 3-1 scoreline signalled Hereford's first win at home in over a month in front of 4707, with 928 making the journey south from Shrewsbury. The visitors didn't look to be the side they were last season, although their long-ball game may have been hindered by the wind. For United, the full-backs Trent McClenahan and Rose had good games, although performances all through the field were impressive. However, Graham Turner may have a problem deciding who should make way for Diagouraga on Wednesday, with Taylor playing well in the middle of the park. The FA Cup is the focus of United's attention on Wednesday, when Tranmere come to Edgar Street for a third round replay.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Collins, Beckwith, Rose, Gwynne, Smith, Taylor, Johnson, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Broadhurst, Fitzpatrick, Palmer.
Shrewsbury: Garner, Moss, Kempson, Langmead, Tierney, Briggs, Davies, Ryan, McIntyre, Cooke, Madjo.
Subs: Esson, Murdock, Herd, Hibbert, Esson.