Monday, February 28, 2000

HEREFORD romped to a deserved 3-0 victory at Stevenage Borough last night to continue their climb up the table.

The home side could point to Paul Parry's fortuitous opening strike and being denied by the woodwork on three occasions but really Graham Turner's men thoroughly merited the victory.

Rated as one of the best performances by a visiting side seen at Stevenage this season, it was immediately obvious Hereford were not going to surrender their unbeaten tag in the new millennium lightly.

On-loan keeper Scott Cooksey saved comfortably from Danny Hockton's header in the opening stages while Leroy May's effort from Paul Sturgess' long throw was just kept out by Chris Taylor in the Borough goal.

Hereford were fortunate not to go behind on 21 minutes when Ian King's right-footed drive smacked off the post.

But they broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when Parry's left-foot shot took a wicked deflection off Lee Kersey and flew over a helpless Taylor.

The lead was doubled within three minutes as midfield general Ian Rodgerson picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and hammered it home.

Hereford continued to look good but their lead could have been halved when Carl Alford spotted Cooksey out of position only to be denied by the post. Cooksey made good stops from Alford and Kirby as the home side searched for a way back, while May went close to sealing the match at the other end.

Alford was denied by the post for a second time in the 73rd minute after pulling down Lee Harvey's deep cross, while May and Paul Fewings ensured Hereford were still offering a potent attacking threat.

A third goal arrived three minutes into injury time, Gavin Williams' cross finding fellow sub Rob Elmes to head home at the far post.

Hereford: Cooksey 8, Lane 7, Sturgess 7, Clark 7, James 7, White 7, Rodgerson 8, Snape 7, May 8, Fewings 8 (Elmes 87), Parry 8 (Williams 78).

Subs not used: Andy Quy, Craig Hanson, John Shirley.

Star Man: Ian Rodgerson.

Attendance: 1940.