Back to November 2002 and the First Round of the FA Cup. Wigan were the visitors to Edgar Street and they left it very late to score the only goal of the game.
Latics rob
United of replay
Hereford
United 0 - 1 Wigan Athletic (November 16th 2002)
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| Scott Green Scored Wigan's Goal |
Goalkeeper Matt Baker stood no chance as Green picked up the ball inside the box before turning to volley home from fourteen yards.
The match saw a carnival-style build-up as Hereford paraded a real-life bull, worshipped the swede and sung a fans favourite - Danny Lee's Hereford United song.
However, despite scoring the swede, which is a good omen for United according to their more superstituous fans, the Bulls came unstuck in the last minute after having the upper hand for a long period.
Graham Turner made the surprise decision of dropping skipper Ian Wright for the match and reverting to a 4-4-2 formation, with Jamie Pitman returning on the right of midfield after suspension.
The move appeared the pay off as Hereford had the best chances in the first half, and were unlucky not to be in the lead after just ten minutes when Matt Clarke fired home from close range. As the fans celebrated, a late flag from the linesman ruled the effort offside.
Baker had little to do in the opening period, and United had another superb opportunity to open the scoring on thirty two minutes. Paul Parry connected onto a through ball but smashed his effort onto the post. The ball rebounded out but was eventually hooked behind for a corner as Wigan struggled to deal with United's fast-paced attacking.
Nathan Ellington and Tony Dinning both missed the target with efforts early in the second period, but it soon became clear that the second division leaders looked the more likely to find the winner as the half progressed. Baker was forced to make an agile save from a Neil Roberts quick-fire shot on the hour, and at the other end Mick Galloway tested Australian stopper John Filan with a header.
Then the killer goal came in the last minute, ending Hereford dreams of a replay and an FA Cup run for this year at least. Slightly disappointing was the 315 away following in a crowd of 4005, but United have raised some £120,000 through prize and TV money alone in this year's competition.
Written by Terry Goodwin - 16th November
2002.
| Hereford United | Wigan Athletic |
| Matt Baker | John Filan |
| Matt Clarke | Nicky Eaden |
| Michael Rose | Jason De Vos (captain) |
| Andrew Tretton | Leighton Baines (off, 75 minutes) |
| Jamie Pitman (off, 90 minutes) | Matt Jackson |
| Tony James | Peter Kennedy |
| Paul Parry | Tony Dinning |
| Danny Williams | Jason Jarrett |
| Steve Guinan | Scott Green |
| Mick Galloway | Neil Roberts |
| Chukki Eribenne | Nathan Ellington |
| Subs | Subs |
| Richard Teesdale | Paul Mitchell |
| Ken Griffiths | Dave Beasant |
| Rob Purdie | Mike Flynn (on, 75 minutes) |
| Ian Wright (on, 90 minutes) | Gary Teale |
| Ben Smith | Iain Breckin |
| Yellow cards | Yellow cards |
| Paul Parry (foul, 25 minutes) | Leighton Baines (foul, 41 minutes) |
| Steve Guinan (foul, 56 minutes) | |
| Red cards | Red cards |
| - | - |
| Scorers | Scorers |
| - | Scott Green (89 minutes) |
| Man of the Match | Mick Galloway |
| Attendance | 4005 |
| Referee | Mr. P. Danson |