Text at top (next game etc)

Next Game: Home Against Farsley Celtic On Saturday March 23rd Kick-Off 3.00pm

Monday, February 19, 2007

Lincoln Preview

Hereford United travel to Sincil Bank for their next League Two game tomorrow evening against high-flyers Lincoln City kick-off 7.45pm.

When the two teams met last August in the first home game of the season at Edgar Street, Lincoln won an enjoyable game 2-1 in front of 4405 supporters including 246 in the away end. And anyone who watched their game on Sky last Friday at Walsall will have seen that Lincoln will be a difficult side to beat tomorrow.

That evening in August Rob Purdie converted his first penalty of the season for Hereford and although Alan Connell got the ball into the back of the net it was disallowed. Mark Stallard scored a brace for the Imps.

It was the first time Scott Tynan had played in goal for the Bulls. Wayne Brown had been injured at Stockport and Tynan was hired as reserve 'keeper Glyn Thompson was unfit. Tynan was beleived to have arrived at the Street earlier that afternoon and so had little time to get to know his team-mates. Stallard's first goal caught Tynan 'flat-footed'. Whether Hereford would have forced a draw had 'Superman' been in goal is open to debate.

Since that game the Lincoln squad has remained much the same but the on-loan signing of Spencer Weir-Daley from Nottingham Forest looks a very shrewd move by manager John Schofield.

His two goals last Friday were well taken. He will need to be carefully marked tomorrow.

Both Jamie Forrester and Lee Beevers will miss the game as they are suspended. Otherwise Lincoln are likely to start with much the same side as played against Walsall. Paul Mayo may replace Beevers.

As for Hereford, captain Tamika Mkandawire will be available after he missed last Saturday's game through suspension. However who he will replace is uncertain and could depend on what formation manager Graham Turner decides to go with. The formation could also determine whether Turner keeps Danny Thomas in the starting eleven.

Whatever he decides the Bulls will be without Simon Travis, who received a calf injury on Saturday, and long-term absentees Glyn Thompson and Martyn Giles. Stephen Jennings was subbed on Saturday but he was understood to have been suffering from a heavy cold and could be fit again for tomorrow. Andy Williams will be looking for a full game after coming on as a sub in the last three. He may start in place of Alan Connell.

Graham Turner mentioned the game last Saturday in his post-match interview.

"It's a nice challenge now on Tuesday, they (Lincoln) look a very good side having watched them last night I thought they were decent so it's a nice one to look forward to."

Meanwhile Steve Guinan spoke about tomorrow's game to BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"It's always a tough game at Sincil Bank. I've played there quite a few times down the years. It's going to be a tough game but that's what playing in this division is all about.

"If you've got any asperations about getting into the play-offs and getting promoted those are the type of games we've got to be mentally strong and physically strong and go up there and try to get something."

Both Alan Connell and Phil Gulliver have also played at Sincil Bank.