Saturday, May 6, 2000

HEREFORD United fans were given a glimpse of what might have been when the Bulls finally brought their dismal run of eight Nationwide Conference games without a win to an end at Edgar Street on Saturday.

It was a chance to see Steve Piearce start a match for the first time since September and the former Halesowen striker didn't disappoint.

He scored two goal-poachers goals, hitting the woodwork and going close on several other occasions.

And United's midfield, which has hardly been a prolific source of goals during the season, finally came good with both John Snape and Mark Taylor getting their names on the scoresheet for only the second time this term.

Relegated Sutton were probably the poorest side to visit Edgar Street this season and with rather better finishing Hereford might have sent them on their way back to the Ryman League with the memory of a severe hammering.

Hereford were in complete control for much of the game but, as on several previous occasions when they have dominated, it seemed, briefly, as if everything might come to nothing when substitute Keith Rowlands notched an equaliser for the visitors.

This 62nd minute goal offered much to the indulgence of the officials as Rowlands and two of his team-mates seemed to be yards off-side when the ball was played through.

This was one of a number of dubious off-side decisions involving the all-female assistant referee team of Janie Frampton and Amy Raynor who, sadly, failed to give any indication that they will much raise the standard of Conference officiating when they progress to the middle.

Hereford also benefited from their generosity when Piearce raced on to Taylor's pass and clear of the Sutton defence to slide the opening goal past Gareth Howells after 31minutes.

The Bulls needed no assistance, however, for their second goal, a superbly struck right-foot drive from Snape which whistled past Howells from the edge of the area after 72 minutes.

Five minutes later, another fine pass from Taylor re-leased Piearce and although Howells did well to block his first effort, last season's leading scorer in the Dr Martens League was quickly onto the rebound for number three.

Piearce played his part as provider for the final goal.

He combined well with Robin Elmes to release Taylor who showed commendable coolness in a one-on-one situation with Howells to slide the ball into the corner of the net.