Hereford United equalled a club record of 12 away league wins in a single season, following a comfortable 2-0 victory at Accrington Stanley. The Whites showed bouncebackability following two defeats on the trot as they scored in either half in difficult playing conditions. Gary Hooper tapped in the first, whilst the second was a comic defensive mistake from the home side, as Mark Roberts overhit a back-pass into his own net.
Following last weekend’s home defeat to Stockport, Graham Turner made changes. Included in the starting line-up, were Dean Beckwith and Toumani Diagouraga; both were unavailable last weekend, but came into replace Karl Broadhurst and Stephen Gleeson respectively. Kris Taylor and Theo Robinson were dropped to the bench, with wingers Simon Johnson and Clint Easton returning. Finally, Robbie Thelfall also made way for Richard Rose in a straight swap at left-back. Familiar names Ian Craney and Paul Mullin started for Stanley.
The Bulls made a good start in the pouring rain, with Sherjill Macdonald finding Johnson but after cutting in, an effort was blocked. Minutes later, Johnson sent a volley past the post after a defensive header had fallen nicely to him, before United had two good chances in the same attack. Firstly, Macdonald tried his luck with a volley which Stanley ‘keeper Kenny Arthur saved, before Johnson dug out a cross that Ben Smith headed down for Hooper, but the on loan Southend man’s effort went over on the turn. Easton then sent a long-range free-kick past the post, before Macdonald stung the palms of Arthur, after good work from Johnson allowed him an opportunity.
Accrington finally mustered up some chances of their own with Mullin holding the ball up, which he did to good effect throughout, for Craney who took it first time but shot wide. On loan Liverpool central midfield David Mannix saw a long shot comfortably held by Wayne Brown, before Macdonald spurned a good chance. A long ball skimmed off the surface and went through to Macdonald, who span and twisted before sending a shot goal wards, which was eventually cleared off the line. Like the earlier chance for the home side, Mullin again held up before finding Craney, but he once again failed to find the target from the edge of the area.
Everything came through Mullin for the home side, with a throw-in nodded on by the experienced marksman, falling to Jay Harris in the box, who turned before an early shot was dived on by Brown. At the other end, some good build up work resulted in Smith playing a pass to Rose, who struck low and wide from 20 yards. Andrew Mangan sent a shot from an acute angle harmlessly wide, before United took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Trent McClenahan burst down the right, and played a neat through to the ball which was met by Johnson in the corner, before sending a low cross in for Hooper to smash into the net, shooting across the ‘keeper.
John Coleman opted to bring on Andy Todd at half-time, another name familiar from the Conference days, with Mangan making way. Craney floated in a free-kick which was headed inches past his own post by Smith before Roberts went one better, and scored a magical goal. McClenahan again started it, with a ball down the right looking for Macdonald. Roberts claimed the ball and sent a flying shot (over-hit backpass) past the helpless Arthur, as the ball picked up pace on the slippy surface, and left the home side red-faced as United went 2-0 up. Stanley looked for an immediate response when Aswad Thomas struck a free-kick into the arms of Brown.
Gareth Whalley replaced Harris as Coleman continued to look for options in the attacking third, but to little effect as The Bulls professionally performed across the field, keeping the ball well. Hooper’s lay off was met by Smith, but a diving defender blocked his goal bound effort, whilst Mannix tried his luck from a long way out but it was never threatening. Craney also had a long shot, which was on target, but Brown again was at ease with his save. United’s final chance came through Diagouraga, who curled a shot goal wards after Macdonald had spotted him, but Arthur made the required save. Robinson and Trevor Benjamin came on late in the game for Macdonald and Hooper yet it were Stanley who finished the better.
Whalley did well down the right hand-side, and a cross was deflected on to the top of the bar and out for a corner, which resulted in Kempson heading Mannix’s set piece over. A long-ball over the top fell to Thomas, but his shot was also blocked and went over. The final action came when Mannix cut in from the right hand side past Smith, but a low-shot was saved by Brown. The referee blew up after three added minutes, with the 200 or so travelling army pleased with the win.
Following the two defeats, it was the perfect tonic for The Bulls as they got their promotion chase back on track. Stanley looked decent coming forward, but as previous reports has suggested, they were poor at the back, and the own-goal is sure to feature on many blooper videos in future years. Macdonald received a good ovation when he came off and after the game, with the West Brom man looking very likely to have played his final game in a Hereford shirt. Up next is a trip to another struggling team, with Mansfield playing host to United. Hopefully, there will be no repeat of the 4-1 pasting United received last-season, with The Bulls surely confident going into the game.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, McCombe, Beckwith, Rose, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Hooper, Macdonald.
Subs: Ingham, Threlfall, Taylor, Benjamin, Robinson.
Accrington: Arthur, Edwards, Roberts, Kempson, Richardson, Thomas, Harris, Craney, Mannix, Mullin, Mangan.
Subs: Dunbavin, King, Webb, Whalley, Todd.