Monday, April 16, 2001

HEREFORD failed to avenge their FA Umbro Trophy semi-final defeat against Forest Green at The Lawn yesterday but at least picked up a hard-earned point from a scrappy 1-1 Nationwide Conference draw.

Neither goalkeeper was overworked in a match which saw a lot of the action confined to midfield and few chances created.

Forest Green may feel that Hereford were fortunate with their goal, which defender Chris Burns steered past his own goalkeeper, Steve Perrin. But the home side were similarly presented with their equaliser when Paul Sturgess gifted a pass to Martyn Foster who levelled after a neat one-two with his namesake Adrian.

Playing down the considerable slope in the first-half, Hereford had the better of the early play and went in front after 13 minutes.

John Shirley, who once again showed up well in the Hereford midfield, intercepted an intended clearance from Adam Lockwood and slipped the ball to Gavin Williams on the left of the Forest Green penalty area. Williams drove in a cross which Jimmy Quiggin deflected on to Burns who could do nothing other than put the ball into his own net.

But deep into first half injury time, the home side managed an equaliser which they had rarely threatened.

Sturgess seemed to have plenty of time to clear the ball downfield but instead directed the ball straight at Martyn Foster. He burst into the penalty area and received a return pass from Adrian Foster before guiding a shot past Cooksey.

If the first-half had produced little goalmouth action then the second had even less.

Robinson might have done better when he found space at the back post to a Williams corner, but headed wide. Adrian Foster drove a shot well over Cooksey's crossbar after good work by Meechan.

After this there were few other opportunities, as Green seemed happy with the point which takes them another step closer to safety.

United: Cooksey 7, Clarke 7, Sturgess 6, Robinson 6 (Rodgerson 60 mins, 7), Wright 7, H James 8, Quiggin 6 (Giddings 77, 6), Snape 7, Elmes 6, Williams 7, Shirley 7. Subs not used: Baker, Plotnek, Parry. Attendance: 1, 076.