For BN's latest archive article, we look back to the start of the 1998/99 season and Hereford United's first home game of that season. New signing Ian Wright scored the only goal of the game.
August 18th 1998
HEREFORD 1 Leek 0 (report by Peter Povall)
Hereford produced a battling performance tonight to claim their first points in the Conference this season. They were not given an easy ride by Leek who enjoyed long spells on the ball and made some excellent attacks on the United goal.
The match started quickly with Hereford pushing forward, their first chance coming after just seven minutes when John Snape fired just wide of the post. Moments later, Ian Rodgerson hit another shot through the same air-space.
Leek came back fighting. A through ball from the resulting goal kick allowed them time on the ball, but the shot was well wide of the post.
The play moved freely, with end to end battles taking place one after another. One minute Richard Walker and Gavin Williams combined well to produce an excellent chance, the next, the ball was being cleared from the Hereford line.
The deadlock finally broke when Ian Wright opened his account with a high, looping header from a Gavin Williams free-kick.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Williams and Walker again combine well to defend the United goal from a considered attack. The cleared ball returned almost immediately though, and Ian Wright was forced into giving away a corner.
Leek were again denied any real chance on goal and Chris Lane made a sterling effort in the corner to collect and clear another possible cross.
The second half started with an incident, by way of a hand ball which should have given Hereford a penalty, but the referee was unable to see through the line of three players and a goal kick was given.
This was brought straight back by Chris Lane who was playing some classic football on the touch-lines to tourment the Leek defence.
The play again starts going from end to end as Andy Quy was forced to punch clear. John Snape then hit a shot, again just wide of the post from an neat little pass by Gavin Mahon. Leek again retaliated forcing Quy to make the outstanding save of the match after a free cross gave Leek their best chance with a powerful header. The save tipped the ball over the bar and the corner was easily cleared from the front post.
Garry Cook then started an excellent run down the centre of the field, finally releasing the ball through to Richard Leadbeater who hit a very powerful shot into the side netting in front of the home crowd.
Leadbeater almost came up with the goods with a second chance thanks to a well-timed pass through a tangle of legs. Leadbeaters outstretched foot just couldn't make the angle though.
United continued their pressure giving Garry Cook a chance, which he tried to lob over the keeper but misjudged it slightly, with the ball just clearing the bar.
Quy was again pressured as Leek threw everything they had into the last few minutes. He was again required to make a save from a well placed shot.
The team showed a marked improvement over that of the weekend and Chris Lane earned himself a clear man-of-the-match award in my opinion. Garry Cook also ran his heart out as ever and will be looking for a place in the first team.
Hereford produced a battling performance tonight to claim their first points in the Conference this season. They were not given an easy ride by Leek who enjoyed long spells on the ball and made some excellent attacks on the United goal.
The match started quickly with Hereford pushing forward, their first chance coming after just seven minutes when John Snape fired just wide of the post. Moments later, Ian Rodgerson hit another shot through the same air-space.
Leek came back fighting. A through ball from the resulting goal kick allowed them time on the ball, but the shot was well wide of the post.
The play moved freely, with end to end battles taking place one after another. One minute Richard Walker and Gavin Williams combined well to produce an excellent chance, the next, the ball was being cleared from the Hereford line.
The deadlock finally broke when Ian Wright opened his account with a high, looping header from a Gavin Williams free-kick.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Williams and Walker again combine well to defend the United goal from a considered attack. The cleared ball returned almost immediately though, and Ian Wright was forced into giving away a corner.
Leek were again denied any real chance on goal and Chris Lane made a sterling effort in the corner to collect and clear another possible cross.
The second half started with an incident, by way of a hand ball which should have given Hereford a penalty, but the referee was unable to see through the line of three players and a goal kick was given.
This was brought straight back by Chris Lane who was playing some classic football on the touch-lines to tourment the Leek defence.
The play again starts going from end to end as Andy Quy was forced to punch clear. John Snape then hit a shot, again just wide of the post from an neat little pass by Gavin Mahon. Leek again retaliated forcing Quy to make the outstanding save of the match after a free cross gave Leek their best chance with a powerful header. The save tipped the ball over the bar and the corner was easily cleared from the front post.
Garry Cook then started an excellent run down the centre of the field, finally releasing the ball through to Richard Leadbeater who hit a very powerful shot into the side netting in front of the home crowd.
Leadbeater almost came up with the goods with a second chance thanks to a well-timed pass through a tangle of legs. Leadbeaters outstretched foot just couldn't make the angle though.
United continued their pressure giving Garry Cook a chance, which he tried to lob over the keeper but misjudged it slightly, with the ball just clearing the bar.
Quy was again pressured as Leek threw everything they had into the last few minutes. He was again required to make a save from a well placed shot.
The team showed a marked improvement over that of the weekend and Chris Lane earned himself a clear man-of-the-match award in my opinion. Garry Cook also ran his heart out as ever and will be looking for a place in the first team.