Hereford United 0 - 1 Leigh RMI
Hereford United's unbeaten run is over and they lost it deservedly at
Edgar Street this afternoon with Lancastrians Leigh RMI securing a 1-0
win.
It was not that Leigh deserved their victory, but that
Hereford threw away the game as they squandered chances and lacked the
cutting edge. One lapse in concentration cost them dearly.
The Bulls won 1-0 at Hilton Park back in October and
the reverse in the scoreline came as a result of a strong Leigh
defensive performance and lacklustre efforts on goal from the Bulls.
Coach Phil Robinson welcomed Gavin Williams back to the starting line-up
and he was partnered by Paul Parry in attack. Rob Elmes was named on
the bench and only entered the action after the hour mark. Leigh named
former Hereford defender Gerry Harrison in defence after he was recently
signed by boss Steve Waywell from Halifax Town.
The first half was dominated by Hereford, but Leigh's
Tony Black forced Matt Baker to make the first save of the game in the
third minute. The Bulls responded with Phil Robinson testing Mark
Westhead, and then the player/coach headed against the crossbar as
Hereford threatened.
Ian Rodgerson went close again on the eleventh minute
before Dino Maamria tested Baker, and then Paul Parry ran onto a Gavin
Williams through ball on fifteen minutes before firing a deflected shot
wide. Hereford's defensive partnership of Tony James and Ian Wright
coped well with Leigh's attacking force and Ian Rodgerson headed at Mark
Westhead with seven minutes left of the half. Gavin Williams and then
Michael Twiss went close as the two sides aimed to find the lead, and
Paul Parry missed the target in the last minute of the half.
The second half was slightly more even, but Hereford
again failed to hit the target after creating plenty of chances. Ian
Wright, from the kick off, headed at Westhead wasting another chance
before Leigh's Black fired at Baker. Paul Parry then hit a screaming
effort over from twenty five yards as they dominated possession but were
unable to break down a solid RMI defence.
Rob Elmes was introduced to the action but made little
impact in a team lacking creating and dropping in confidence after
facing a brick wall. Their morale was hit further with fifteen minutes
left when Leigh took the lead against the run of play. Ian Monk crossed
in from the right wing for Michael Twiss to pick up. The ball bounced
off the post and Twiss was on hand to hit home from a yard out with the
defence stranded. Leigh's solid defence and opportunist attacking
tactics had worked and they had the lead, whilst the Bulls missed
several chances to go ahead themselves.
With four minutes left, Ian Wright headed a forceful
effort goalwards, only for Mark Westhead to tip over the bar to ensure
three points for Leigh. Hereford didn't deserve anything from the game
and there was little to get the crowd of 1,443 to return on Tuesday
night.
The Bulls have to pick themselves up quickly for next
week's FA Trophy tie against Hampton & Richmond Borough, who
will be a difficult side to guage. Only thirty one supporters will be
happy with today's result - and they were from Leigh RMI.
Hereford United: Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, John
Shirley, Phil Robinson, Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Ian Rodgerson
(off, 62 minutes), John Snape (off, 81 minutes), Paul Parry, Gavin
Williams, Scott Goodwin
Subs: Rob Elmes (on, 62 minutes), Lee Evans, Jimmy Quiggin (on, 81 minutes), Danny Davidson, Jon Hill
Yellow cards:Scott Goodwin (foul, 44 minutes) Rob Elmes (dissent, 85 minutes)
Man of the Match: Not awarded
Attendance: 1,443
Referee: Mr. S. Hapgood (Swindon)
