A look back to Boxing Day 1998:
KIDDERMINSTER 1 Hereford 0 (report by Peter Povall)
In poor conditions and the worst cross-wind I have witnessed this
season, Hereford and Kidderminster met for their usual Boxing Day clash.
The local rivalry is great between this pair and tends to make for
some interesting viewing. Today's match was the complete opposite
though.
With heavy showers and strong winds playing a part, the overall quality of football displayed by both teams wasn't great.
Kidderminster started the stronger side and were quickly pressuring
the United goal, gaining their first corner after 7 minutes. The corner
produced a shot from inside the area which was fired wildly over the
bar.
Seconds after the goal kick and the Harriers were back again. The
shot produced a save from Andy Quy, who fumbled the ball, dropping in
also on the goal line before diving onto it as cover.
Hereford fought straight back. Gavin Williams made a screaming run
down the right wing before having his cross blocked by a defender,
conceding the corner. The corner being easily cleared by Kidderminster's
big defenders.
United kept the pressure on though. The keeper made some excellent
interceptions with long crosses denying United their chances.
One of the best United chances of the first half came after 16
minutes when Mark Druce was sent a through ball to chase. I believe he
should have reached it and beaten the keeper, the only man between him
and goal. Instead when just a few yards from the ball and seeing the
keeper bearing down on him, he eased of his run allowing the keeper to
get their first.
On 20 minutes, United broke the deadlock and netted from and Ian
Wright corner. The referee had other idea's though and disallowed the
goal due to pushing at the back post.
The game then went from end-to-end as the fans questioned the
referee's judgement. Kidderminster fired a shot just over the bar and
United gained a free-kick on the edge of the Harriers area. The shot
slidded past the post.
The game then went from end-to-end as the fans questioned the
referee's judgement. Kidderminster fired a shot just over the bar and
United gained a free-kick on the edge of the Harriers area. The shot
slidded past the post.
The final 5 minutes before the break were all United's. Gavin
Williams made another quick run down the wing before being felled from
behind. In the World Cup, this tackle would have resulted in a Red Card.
In the Conference, however, no card is raised.
Robbie Dennison and Paul Parry both had efforts on goal. Dennison
shot wide with from a difficult volley and Parry shot was forced out for
a corner which was cleared.
The second period started at full pace. United made an excellent run
through the centre of the field. They played to feet and combined a
number of passes before sending in a dreadfully weak shot which skidded
along the ground to the keepers feet.
Kidderminster replied. A run down their right wing to the weak spot
of Hereford's defence (not having a left-back), allowed for a great
cross the back post which brought Quy of his mark as he failed to
collect. The ball was brought down before blasting a great shot past
Quy. Tony James, man of the match in my opinion, manages to get a diving
boot to the ball and flicked it behind himself, right across the goal
and out for a corner.
Kidderminster's corner was cleared but not before Quy sustained an
injury. He went down holding his lower back and the crowd suspected a
provocation of his previous injury. He did regain his feet and finished
the match though.
The pressure was maintained and United were forced to defend deep in
their own half. Kidderminster gained free-kicks, corners and deep
throws, all of which were fought off in an attempt to maintain
Hereford's excellent record at Aggborough.
United did manage a couple of attacks over the next few minutes. The best of which brushed the bar from a Taylor corner.
Kidderminster were definitely the better team in the closing minutes
of the match. One attack which completely caught the United defence left
Quy facing three forwards on his own. The ball was played across the
goal mouth and Quy did his level best to follow it. Thankfully the
condition meant that they had to control the ball before shoting. This
gave Quy the split second he needed to dive and reach the ball, felling
the Kidderminster player in the process.
The clincher of the match came with just moments to spare. Both the
referee and the linesman have to be brought into question for these
incidents. Thomas was defying United defenders on the touch line within 5
yards of the linesman. I clearly saw the entire line appear under the
ball before he managed to break away and make a cross on goal. The
linesman didn't react. The cross was cleared and Kidderminster made
another attack on goal. They managed to make a clear run down their
right wing again before getting a power cross in.
Thomas was there again. He brought the ball down using his forearm
before firing past Andy Quy to claim the club their three points.
Don't get me wrong. I am not a bitter loser. Kidderminster were the
better side on the day and deserved to win. What I object to is the very
poor state of the officials in Conference football. Today's referee was
a joke. He spoilt todays game by making poor decisions through-out. One
incident comes to mind where a tackle on a United player brought him
down and every player on the pitch stopped, including the Kidderminster
players, as they knew the tackle would produce a free-kick. What it
actually produced was nothing.
Oh well, maybe Forest Green on Monday will yield some points.
HEREFORD: Quy; Lane, Parry, Downing, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Taylor, Williams, Druce, Dennison. Subs: Cross, Dyer, Shirley.