Saturday, July 24, 1999.

Hereford United lifted the Doxhill Cup with a 4-3 penalty shoot out victory over Stoke City Reserves after a goal-less draw at Edgar Street on Saturday.

No extra time was played in the final, held over from last season, so the match went straight into penalties.

United keeper Mark Jones conjured up a memory from last term to give the Bulls a big boost by diving to his left to save Richard Burgess' opening spot-kick.

Jones said: ''He took a penalty against us last season. I decided to dive in the direction he took that time and the gamble paid off.''

After that Craig Hanson, Mark Taylor, Gavin Williams and Tony James netted for Hereford, while Kris Sigurdson, Jamie Evans and Stuart Schewber replied.

Jamie Godbold then had to put away Stoke's fifth penalty to keep their hopes alive but he drove wide.

Although Hereford were without Steven Piearce, Ian Wright, Paul Parry and Paul Fewings, they fielded a much more experienced side than the youngsters of Stoke, the previous winners of the trophy, played for by teams in the Optimum Interiors Central Conference.

Nevertheless, Stoke gave them a really hard work-out with plenty of running and commitment on a hot afternoon.

Early on City 'keeper Stuart Frazer did well to carry away a fierce shot from James Wall, while at the other end Jones was extended to turn away drives from Matt Bullock and Burgess for corners.

After the break Hereford dominated the game. Frazer made a superb save to foil Hansen and Williams was unlucky to see his goalbound effort hit his colleague Wall who diverted it wide of goal.

After that Rob Elmes, Hansen and James all went close but United were unable to break the deadlock.

United director of football Graham Turner said: ''We did not start playing until 15 minutes before half time. We then passed the ball around quite well but should have got a few goals.''

Hereford: Jones, Cotterill (Lane 57), Rodgerson, Snape, Wall, Clarke, Williams, Taylor, May (James 30), Hansen, Elmes. Subs not used: Quy, Palmer, Pendrey.

Attendance: 634.