Saturday, March 18, 2000

HEREFORD United succeeded where the other Nationwide Conference top sides have failed by winning 1-0 at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

Kidderminster, Rushden, Dover and Yeo-vil have all come unstuck at the Glouces-tershire side's picturesque hill-top ground.

And for much of the first half it looked as though United might follow suit with ex-England winger Tony Daley cutting swathes through their defence.

Daley ran through his entire repertoire of skills as he switched from wing to wing, causing plenty of headaches for Bulls' full-backs Chris Lane and Tony James.

But the quality of his shooting failed to match his brilliant approach work and on-loan Scott Cooksey was able to watch as powerfully struck efforts fizzed wide of his goal.

Daley gave a glimpse of what was to come in the second minute when a dazzling run ended with a cross which was inches too high for former Hereford trialist Dennis Bailey.

Returning Ian Wright, back in the United line-up after missing the last four games with injury, also had his problems with Daley. The Bulls skipper was tricked by the winger into leaving some space after 23 minutes and was relieved to see a screaming 20-yarder rocket past the post.

But the Hereford defence learned from its first-half roasting and tightened its grip considerably on Daley in the second half when the winger faded almost into anonymity.

After a promising opening to the second half, Hereford looked likely to take the lead after 57 minutes when Robin Elmes flicked Paul Parry's corner into the path of Leroy May, who lifted his shot harmlessly over from close range.

But Rovers' respite lasted just two minutes, although United's goal will go down as one of their more fortuitous ones.

James found himself in space some 35 yards out and let fly with a hopeful shot. The ball struck defender Ian Hedges on the shoulder and ballooned goalwards where Justin Shuttlewood fumbled the ball into the net.

James showed his pace and talents at the other end when he robbed Bailey who was bearing down on the United goal, but Hereford kept their composure in the closing stages as Rovers threw everything forward in an attempt to extend their own four-match unbeaten run.

Substitute Paul Fewings was cautioned in the closing stages for a late challenge on former United skipper David Norton.