Simon Johnson's well struck goal 20 minutes from time has sent Hereford United into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup to host Cardiff City, after beating Tranmere Rovers 1-0 at Edgar Street this evening. The visitors dominated for long periods but were unable to find a way past Wayne Brown or the woodwork, which twice came to the rescue of The Bulls. 6471 supporters were in attendance as United held on after Johnson had struck to claim a superb victory.
Toumani Diagouraga returned, as expected, in the centre of midfield after returning from suspension. Sam Gwynne was unlucky to miss out, but took his place on the bench, with Kris Taylor moving to left midfield, and Johnson starting on the right hand side. Tranmere were boosted by the return of Jennison Myrie-Williams; the winger is on loan from Bristol City but didn't feature in the first leg. Also returning to Edgar Street was Steven Jennings, who spent a loan spell with Hereford at the end of last season.
The away side signalled their intent in the tie by starting quickly and creating early chances. Veteran Gareth Taylor fired past the post after a good run from Myrie-Williams whilst Calvin Zola, who much like in the first game caused many problems, shot over after the home defence gave him too much room to run into to. Quick-thinking from Rovers nearly resulted in a goal, when Paul McClaren took a free-kick to Myrie-Williams. The wide man cut in past Richard Rose before smashing the bar with a powerful drive. The Bulls escaped that chance, but G.Taylor again had a half-chance when he struck over after a neat turn.
United's first opportunity arose after a long-ball was collected by Theo Robinson, but the young striker's shot was wild and didn't trouble Danny Coyne. Tranmere continued to probe, with Myrie-Williams dangerous once more as he jigged past two defenders before firing wide, whilst only the bravery of Wayne Brown denied Zola from close-range. Trevor Benjamin's weak header was easily held by Coyne whilst again Myrie-Williams threatened after cutting in from the right-wing, but the end product was weak and Brown held on. The half-time whistle was greatly received by the Hereford players and fans, as it looked as though it would only be a matter of time until Tranmere would break the deadlock.
The second half was much closer, and United created the early chance. Trent McClenahan linked up with Johnson on the right-wing before crossing deep towards the back-post. Up rose Robinson, and the youngster was only denied by the fingertips of Coyne, before the ball bounced away for a corner. Much like the first-half, Myrie-Williams run Rose ragged and again had a strike on goal with his left foot, but again Brown was equal to it. Jennings also tried his luck from far out, as he tried to score on his return, but it was weak and wide. The pressure continued to mount on United's goal with Shane Sheriff's header from a corner narrowly wide, and Zola's shot on the turn after a G. Taylor head down wide.
Zola looked a real threat with his hold-up play and quick-feet, but his finishing failed to match. Again he missed a good-chance, after Robbie Stockdale had crossed, Zola's header from six-yards went past the post. The approach work by Zola flourished minutes later, when he superbly controlled a ball forwarrd before running at Dean Beckwith. He reached the by-line, before turning back and finally creating a shooting opportunity which smashed against the woodwork. The striker was to regret that miss, as Hereford went down the other end and took the lead.
A throw-in forward by McClenahan was won by Benjamin, and Johnson picked up the loose ball. From just inside the Tranmere half he ran into space, and beat two defenders, before shooting from the edge of the box. His low shot was out of the reach of Coyne, and fell superbly into the corner to hand United the advantage. A snapshot from Zola fell wide, before Ben Smith's volley was easily held by Coyne. Ronnie Moore introduced Craig Curran in place of Sheriff, as he looked for more options in the attacking third. Half-chances continued to fall either sides way, with firstly Ben Kay shooting ambitiously into the Blackfriars End, and Smith's placed shot falling over the bar, after being set up by K. Taylor.
The Whites looked much more confident after Johnson's goal, and Tranmere weren't dominating like the first-half. Johnson in particular, looked useful. A superb nutmeg through Andrew Taylor's legs saw him cross to Benjamin, who guided a header against the far post. Jennings made way for John Mullin, as again Moore looked for further attacking options, but the substitutes made little effect. Instead, Zola continued to threaten; this time he took a long-ball down before a quick-shot goalwards, but Brown excellently palmed it before gathering at the second attempt. Hereford saw out the final minutes, with Robinson and Toumani Diagouraga both having shot's off target. A final Tranmere corner saw Coyne join the attack, but it came to nothing, and instead, Robinson tried his luck from the half-way line, with Coyne attempting to get back, but it fell harmlessly wide. The final whistle was greeted superbly by the home faithful, as Hereford knock out their third successive League One side in the FA Cup.
In truth, Tranmere will feel they did enough to beat Hereford over the two games, but Brown and his defensive cover were excellent this evening. Zola and Taylor used their strength to good effects, but too often, their finishing let them down. For Hereford, as mentioned, the defence were in fine form, keeping their fourth clean sheet out of five FA Cup games this season, whilst Johnson's goal was well-taken, as the former Leeds man continues to impress. Cardiff is the reward for the win, although United have a massive League Two encounter at Saltergate, live on Sky, with promotion hopefuls Chesterfield the hosts next Monday.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Collins, Rose, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, K. Taylor, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, McCombe, Broadhurst, Gwynne, Palmer.
Tranmere: Coyne, Stockdale, Sherrif, Kay, Chorley, A. Taylor, Myrie-Williams, Jennings, McClaren, G. Taylor, Zola.
Subs: Achterberg, Tremarco, Jones, Mullin, Curran.