…in 2003. Forest Green Rovers 1 Bulls 7 (Parry 13, 25, 58; Smith 35, 60; Purdie 38; Pitman 79)
And in 2000, Bulls 4 Woevile 0 (Williams 40; Snape 42; Clarke 49; Quiggin 87).
Them was the days.
HEREFORD
UNITED 4 - 0 YEOVIL TOWN
Since relegation to
the Conference, Hereford United had not once beaten Yeovil Town
in any competition, but tonight the Bulls showed their obvious
skill with a staggering 4-0 victory over the league leaders in
the southern section of the LDV Vans Trophy first round. The tie
had been postponed twice already but it was well worth the
waiting for the 800+ Hereford United fans at Edgar Street. The
win also ended Yeovil's seventeen match unbeaten run.
The home side made
one change to the team that drew with Kettering on Saturday, as
striker Robin Elmes couldn't make the game through work
commitments so was replaced in attack by Kerry Giddings.
Yeovil, though, made five changes to Saturday's team which beat
Northwich 1-0. Former United goalkeeper Tony Pennock was replaced
with Chris Weale, and Anthony Tonkin, Darren Way, Andy Lindegaard
and Barrington Belgrave were dropped for O'Brien, Poole, on-loan
striker Alex Meechan and Gareth Risbridger.
An entertaining first
half saw chances for both sides. United played well with a strong
defence as they attacked at Yeovil directly, a tactic not seen at
Edgar Street for several matches. Chris Weale in the Yeovil goal
played well and commanding authority in his area, but did
experience a couple of close shaves! However, Weale made several
good saves from the United attacks.
Meanwhile, Meechan
and Risbridger tested Cooksey but the former England semi-professional
goalkeeper was in top form to keep the current Conference leaders,
managed by former United boss Colin Addison, at bay.
Five minutes before
the break, United opened the scoring. Paul Sturgess
provided a good cross after passing both Piper and Risbridger,
which was punched away by Weale. However, the ball fell to Phil
Robinson, and he flicked on to striker Gavin Williams. The
Welshman turned the ball goalwards from ten yards to make it 1-0
to United.
Two minutes later,
United were awarded a free-kick which was cleared by Yeovil. John
Snape picked up the loose ball and hit a twenty five yard volley
into the back of the net to double the cushion. Chris Weale, who
didn't have his best game in the Yeovil goal, was left stranded
by the ball which passed through a crowd of people before hitting
the net. A good half time lead must have pleased Graham Turner.
Just four minutes had
been played in the second half when United netted again.
This time a Michael McIndoe corner was headed home by impressive
midfielder Matt Clarke from close range. Weale got a hand to the
effort from ten yards, but to no avail. Clarke, obviously
delighted with finding the net, removed his shirt whilst
celebrating with the Meadow End faithful and was booked by
referee Mark Warren from Walsall for the offence. Warren, on the
whole, had a good night and was one of the best referees seen at
Edgar Street this season.
United should have
added to their lead but both Williams and Snape had efforts saved
by Weale. Two Ben Smith efforts kept Cooksey on his toes, but to
be fair Yeovil never looked like getting back into the game. The
introduction of strikers Barrington Belgrave and James Bent made
no difference as United remained on top. Seven minutes previous
to the substitutions, Brad Peters was bought on to replace the
injured captain Terry Skiverton, and to shore up the defence on
fifty seven minutes, but again the change had little success.
However, Bent forced
Cooksey to save soon after coming on, as Cooksey pushed the ball
away to his left for a corner. United, though, almost made it 4-0
when Williams' shot was cleared off the line by fullback David
Piper, and Weale was forced into several other good saves as the
half progressed.
Ian Rodgerson entered
the action for the superb John Snape on seventy eight minutes,
but had little effect, and Jimmy Quiggin came on for Gavin
Williams eight minutes later.
The night was topped
off by Jimmy Quiggin three minutes from time when he made it a
spectacular four. Quiggin had only been on the field for a minute
when Ian Wright headed a ball forward for the youngster to knock
past Weale with his first touch.
There were four
bookings on the night. Referee Warren cautioned United player-coach
Phil Robinson for a foul after fiteen minutes, Tom White of
Yeovil on forty one minutes, and Crittenden on seventy three,
both for fouls. Also, Matt Clarke was booked for unsporting
behaviour, as mentioned previously.
A small crowd of 853
turned out to watch the game, and the ones that missed it most
definitely missed out on a superb night of entertainment. United
now play Reading in the second round, with the match scheduled
for January 9th at Edgar Street.
Hereford
- Cooksey, Lane, Clarke, Robinson, Wright, James, Rodgerson,
Snape, McIndoe, Giddings, Williams
Substitutions - Rodgerson (78), Quiggin (86)
Substitutions - Rodgerson (78), Quiggin (86)
Man
of the Match - Matt Gardiner
Written
by Terry Goodwin - 19th December 2000.