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| Lance Smith Scored The Only Goal Of The Game |
On a very heavy pitch, Hereford played down the slight slope in the first half in which they created the majority of the chances, the first coming in the ninth minute. With a Hereford corner initally being cleared, Jamie Bird quickly crossed the ball back into the box from the right. Calvin Dinsley connected well with the cross, but his header towards the far post was cleared off the line by Kyle Egan.
The Magpies put pressure on Hereford's make-shift back four, but Tom Blair's cross was headed behind for a well-defended corner.
Lance Smith then played a neat ball to John Mills, but instead of trying to advance towards goal, Mills tried a speculative shot which sailed over ex-Bull Chris Weale's bar.
The best chance of the first half came with 27 minutes on the clock. Jamie Bird struck the base of the post with an initial shot, before Lance Smith somehow headed the rebound over, when realistically he should have scored.
Mills had a decent chance late in the half. He stepped around several defenders but his shot was off target.
Mills had a decent chance late in the half. He stepped around several defenders but his shot was off target.
HT: Dorchester Town 0 - Hereford 0
After the restart, some neat build up play from Hereford saw a shot from 18-yards, but the effort sailed well over with the keeper unfazed.
Ed Bastick then broke away for the home side, but his effort was pushed around the post, with the subsequent corner being cleared.
Dorchester's home record of late has been good, scoring 14 goals and keeping clean sheets in their last four games - but Lance Smith ensured that run wouldn't extend to five games as he broke the deadlock on the hour mark.
Pablo Haysham took a corner which was cleared by a Dorchester defender but only so far as to John Mills. He provided a powerful but accurate cross to Smith, who made no mistake in heading the ball down and across the line, with Weale rendered helpless.
Pablo Haysham took a corner which was cleared by a Dorchester defender but only so far as to John Mills. He provided a powerful but accurate cross to Smith, who made no mistake in heading the ball down and across the line, with Weale rendered helpless.
A good save from Martin Horsell three minutes later saw Hereford keep hold of their one goal lead, with Hereford's keeper denying Sam Lanaham with his feet.
Tempers flared after Mills looked to have been brought down. Haysham and Ross Carmichael were booked in the handbags that followed.
Tempers flared after Mills looked to have been brought down. Haysham and Ross Carmichael were booked in the handbags that followed.
Eight minutes from time, a chance for Jamie Bird sailed high and wide after some good play by Hereford.
Mike Symons then came off the bench as Hereford tried to see the game out and extend their run of unbeaten away league games to 53.
A free kick in a dangerous position for Dorchester in the 90th minute put bums on the edge of seats, but their free kick was poor.
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| The State Of The Pitch After Ninety Minutes |
Att: 909
Hereford: Horsell, Purdie (c), Dinsley, Liburd, Pring, Preen, Murphy, Haysham, Bird (Symons - 84'), Smith, Mills.
Subs not used: Cuss, Pugh, Hayes, Puddy.
Dorchester: Weale, Egan, Martin, Rose, Carmichael, Bowles (c), Jerrard (Ebbutt), Lowes, Blair (Bastick), Lanahan (Panesar-Dower), Collins.
Subs not used: Griggs, Brookes.
Next Game: Biggleswade Town Away on Tuesday 23rd January at 7.45pm