Five years ago today, Leeds United were the visitors to Edgar Street. That in itself brought the fans out, but what made the game even better was the result.
Here's a look-back to Tuesday February 17th 2009.
Hard-working Bulls see off Leeds
Hereford
United recorded their second win in a row with a hard fought 2-0
success over Leeds United at Edgar Street this evening. The game could
have taken a much different route had Lee Trundle converted a first-half
penalty but failure to do so coupled with Jennison Myrie-Williams
drilled opening goal sent The Bulls on their way to victory. Febian
Brandy's deft finish in the second half doubled the advantage as
Hereford saw out the remainder of the game comfortably in front of 6120,
including some 1903 from Leeds.
With
a number of injuries sustained during the win at Cheltenham, Graham
Turner had to shuffle his defence about. New loan signing Godwin Antwi
and Richard Jackson were introduced with Josh Gowling and Dean Beckwith
making way. There were no other changes in the line up although Craig
Jones came in on the bench. Leeds started with Luciano Becchio and Lee
Trundle up front, with top goalscorer Jermaine Beckford out due to
suspension. The highly rated Fabian Delph starred in the midfield as he
looked to pull the strings for the Elland Road outfit, who lost at
Huddersfield on the weekend and were looking to return back to winning
ways to re-ignite their play-off push.
The
visitors made a lively start with a host of possession but little to
show for it; a long-range effort from Carl Dickinson tested Peter
Gulacsi but the Hungarian shot-stopper held on. Hereford burst into life
just after the 20th minute when a slip on the right-wing allowed
Myrie-Williams a chance to run at the Leeds' defence beating three
players on a 60 yard run before firing a powerful left foot shot just
past the near post from inside the area. Steve Guinan sliced a shot from
20 yards wide after a weak Rui Marques header whilst at the other end,
the Bulls' back-line backed off Becchio but the Argentinian couldn't hit
the target from long-range after taking a pass down on his chest.
Leeds
were given a golden opportunity to take the lead when a throw in made
its way to Andy Robinson who played a one-two with Becchio and continued
his run into the box. It was eventually ended by a push from Kris
Taylor on the former Swansea winger and the referee pointed to the spot;
Trundle steped up but he saw his placed spot-kick superbly saved by
Gulacsi. From the corner that followed, Becchio was given time inside
the box to place a header goalwards but it was blocked before a
clearence was made. Within two minutes of the penalty decision, Hereford
shocked Leeds by scoring through Myrie-Williams. The on loan Bristol
City winger had to be thankful to the referee who played a good
advantage after a late tackle on Brandy, allowing Sam Hewson to pick out
Myrie-Williams on the left. He cut before drilling a left-foot shot
under Casper Ankergren and into the far corner. With time running out in
the first-half, Hereford showed increased confidence following the goal
and Hewson saw a trickling half-volley go past the post following a
cleared corner.
The
second-half started as expected with Leeds looking to make an early
impact on the Hereford defence and they nearly did just that when
Becchio, seemingly offside, controlled a through ball to get a clear run
in on goal. Just when the former Barcelona man looked like he may pull
the trigger, Antwi made a last ditch tackle, perhaps illegally, to put
the ball out for a corner. At the other end, Sam Gwynne tried his luck
from 35 yards with an effort that had Ankergren scrambling but
ultimately went wide. Simon Grayson introduced both Mike Grella and
Bradley Johnson in place of the ineffective Trundle and Robert
Snodgrass. Yet, the changes had little effect as soon after Hereford
doubled their advantage.
Brandy's
pace and persistance saw him win a free-kick near the corner flag
allowing Myrie-Williams the chance to cross. The ball was floated
towards the back-post where Antwi out jumped his marker to set up Brandy
who touched in from close-range. The Man Utd loanee was delighted with
his second goal in as many games, celebrating with an impressive
backflip. Leeds tried their best to get back into the game but strong
defending from a resillient Bulls' back-line ensured that only
long-shots would threaten Gulacsi's goal. Johnson shot wildly over from
25 yards whilst Robinson sent a shot past the post after meeting a
Richard Rose clearence.
David
Prutton added experience to the Leeds' midfield, when he replaced Ben
Parker but it was Hereford who looked dangerous on the break when good
link-up between the front pairing of Guinan and Brandy saw the little
striker flash a shot wide after a chest down from the former Cheltenham
man. Robinson, much like Johnson's earlier effort, failed to trouble
Gulacsi with a long-range effort before Hereford could have and probably
should have put the icing on a very sweet cake when Guinan chased down a
long punt forward by Gulacsi; Hereford's leading marksman shrugged off a
challenge from Marques but his flick over Ankergren fell just over the
bar. In the final moments, Brandy received a fine ovation when leaving
the pitch to be replaced by the former Leeds youngster Simon Johnson
whilst Leeds went close through Becchio, controlling a pass from B.
Johnson but he couldn't hit the target with his strike landing just past
Gulacsi's far post.
For
the first time this season, Hereford have managed back to back wins and
it couldn't have come at a more important time. The introduction of the
Premiership loanees have added some much needed quality to the side,
with all four showing experience beyond their age. Leeds looked tidy in
possession, with Delph showing some class touches but they lacked
quality in the final third with The Bulls defence putting in an
excellent all round performance. Rose has had his critics but certainly
looks comfortable in the centre of defence whilst Antwi made a very
encouraging debut. Next up for Hereford is the visit of yet another
play-off chasing outfit in Peterborough; the Posh have fond memories of
Edgar Street as they secured promotion there last season.
Hereford: Gulacsi, Jackson, Antwi, Rose, Taylor, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Hewson, Myrie-Williams, Guinan, Brandy.
Subs: Veiga, Smith, Jones, Johnson, Done.
Leeds: Ankergren, Dickinson, Naylor, Marques, Parker, Snodgrass, Delph, Howson, Robinson, Becchio, Trundle.
Subs: Lucas, Michalik, Johnson, Prutton, Grella.