Hereford United 2-0 Kingstonian
COCK UPS AND BULLS' GLORY
Just two days before they were to play what is their most important
game since, oooh, probably the relegation battle three seasons
previous, K's had to make the trip to Hereford on a Thursday night.
Quite unsurprisingly then, the majority of the first team didn't make
the trip; Luckett and Pitcher being the only players who are likely to
start on Saturday.
And so it was that a number of reserves and fringe players played for
the first team just two days before they clinch their own league title.
Mike Lester, Kofi Nyamah, Delton Francis, and Carl Tranter are names to
watch. But it was only possible to watch Carl Tranter for two minutes
before he limped off the pitch with hamstring trouble. However,
Ronaldo Dean Thomas took his place. This is surely the strength
in depth that most non league reserve teams wish they could boast.
Maybe the pressure of being one of the most experienced players on the
pitch went to Kofi Nyamah's head. Whatever it was, it is certain that
there was no need for Kofi to foul Williams when he was running away
from goal when, if the youngster had just stepped over the ball, K's
would have been awarded a goal-kick. Williams certainly made a meal
of it, but a penalty was just. He then stepped up to take it and
despite the ball rolling off the spot twice, when he did eventually
take it he gave Jerome John no chance, and put the home side one goal
to the good.
Trying to make up for his earlier misdemeanour, Kofi straight away went
to the other end and fired in a good shot. Minutes later though
pressure was back on the K's goal and Jerome John made the first of a
string of good saves. Meanwhile Kofi Nyamah's misery continued as he
got his name taken.
Just before half time Hereford score another. Rodgerson took a good
shot from outside of the area. Jerome John was unsighted, and the ball
took a nasty bounce in front of him, but he will be disappointed not to
have done better when diving to his left.
The second half saw the yellows attacking the end to which their
travelling fans were gathered. 35 of them the PA announced. We know
better though, it was nearer to 40! Although Wayne Brown was doing his
best to stop attacks, all he could do was give away corners, and the
pressure continued. But it was Delton Francis who took the chalice of
Kingstonian hopes. He had two fine shots from outside of the area, one
of which hit the netting. And from where we were standing,
well....
He later on set up Ronaldo Dean Thomas on the edge of the area
but his shot was poor. The second half saw the emergence of local lad
Franklyn Dixon and also saw the substitution of a substitute when
Thomas left the field. Pitcher and Luckett looked in a class above
their counterparts that night, and Lester was also notably good in the
heart of the defence. Delton Francis though was the one player who
could bring any excitement to the travelling fans but you sensed there
would be no more goals. Not at the right end anyway. However, at the
other end there were all sorts of chances. A goal mouth scramble saw
an important interception from Brown and then a fine save from John
from close range. As the match ended, the Bulls were awarded a
free-kick just inches from the area. Nothing came from it, but it was
almost a penalty.
But the game ended 2-0 and guaranteed Hereford's place in the
Conference next season. It didn't matter to us. As we left the
ground, every Hereford fan wished K's the best of luck against
Cheltenham, and we, like crying schoolboys proclaimed that tonight it
was just our reserves side. And though they lost the boys done good.
Considering the majority of the players would normally be happy to get
onto the bench, they put on a good show, and had it not have been for
two unfortunate errors, would have come away with a point for their
troubles. The 2-0 score line flattered the home team, as the
travellers had played well. Their time will come.
|
Thu 8th Apr 1999 |
|
Edgar Street |
|
1288 |
|
Football Conference |
|
Hereford United | 2 |
Kingstonian | 0 |
|
|
|
1 | Jerome John | | |
2 | Danny Smith | | |
3 | Colin Luckett | | |
4 | Mike Lester | | |
5 | Wayne Brown | | |
6 | Scott Corbett | | |
7 | Simon Langley | | 15 |
8 | Geoff Pitcher | | |
9 | Delton Francis | | |
10 | Carl Tranter | | 12 |
11 | Kofi Nyamah | | |
12 | Dean Thomas | | 10 |
14 | Gary Drewett | | 12 |
15 | Franklin Dixon | | 7 |
|
Delton Francis |
|
Gary Ekins |
|