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FARNBOROUGH (away) 07/09/03 Hereford extended their lead at the top of the Conference to three points after a comprehensive win at struggling Farnborough Town. With Hereford undefeated and Farnborough without a victory all season, an away win seemed almost certain, and United took control right from the start and were in front inside five minutes. Steve Guinan's shot was well saved by home goalkeeper Mark Osborn, but the ball ran loose to Paul Parry. The youngster - subject to numerous rumours about transfer requests before the match - made no mistake in tucking home the rebound. United continued to dominate with Osborn making saves from Parry and Smith. Matt Baker was forced into a good save after quarter of an hour, when Leroy Griffiths' fierce shot deflected off the head of Ryan Green. The diving Baker did well to readjust his body position and tip the ball onto the bar. This was the only save the visiting goalkeeper had to make in the first half, such was United's dominance. It was 2-0 shortly afterwards. Ben Smith received a pass, took it around a defender and fired low into the net. Minutes later the Bulls had extended this lead still further when a long cross by Parry was met by the head of Guinan. The ball looped towards goal and went in despite the keeper getting both hands to it. Those goals took Smith and Guinan onto six each for the season, and it appeared that the game was over as a contest with barely half an hour played. Farnborough did look for a goal, but were foiled time after time by a very much on-form defence. One notable effort that summed up the day for Town was when the ball was played to the unmarked Paul Harkness on the left wing - the ball bobbled off his shin as he attempted to control it and went out for a goal kick. Straight from the kick-off for the second half, Barrington Belgrave ran through completely unchallenged and Baker had to make a smart save with his feet. Andy Tretton then needlessly put the ball out for a corner, but made amends by clearing the ball away from inside the six-yard area. Having resisted the early pressure, United continued in much the same way as they had in the first half. Guinan's shot was well saved by the overworked Mark Osborn, with the rebound being cleared by Ross Weatherstone when under pressure from Rob Purdie. Purdie had chances to score, and deserved a goal for his tireless running. He missed a teasing low ball from Parry by inches and had a weak shot easily saved by the goalkeeper. On the hour mark came the game's most controversial moment. Ben Smith threaded the ball through for Parry to run on to. The young winger took the ball to the bye line, and attempted to cross it. His pass was cut out by Pat Sappleton, but the referee decided that the defender had used his hand to do so and, having already been booked, he was sent off. Even if it was a handball, it was harsh to give a penalty and send the player off when Parry was only a few yards from Sappleton when he attempted to play the ball in. Tony James sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot - his third successful penalty conversion this season. The move for Hereford's fifth goal was similar, with Smith starting things off with another good through-ball for Parry. He continued into the box, and then whipped in a low ball that substitute David Brown despatched into the bottom corner. Hereford created many more chances that went begging, including Michael Rose 's long-range effort that went out the ground. Farnborough then managed to get the ball past Tony James for seemingly the only time all afternoon, but Matt Baker pulled off a tremendous save to deny Carl Hutchings. Even at this early stage of the season, the league table does not lie. Hereford were much the superior side, and quite how the score was only 5-0 is a mystery. Farnborough on the other hand were quite simply woeful, and it is no wonder they are still without a win. Without a good display by goalkeeper Mark Osborn, the score would have been much higher. Hereford's success today was based around a strong defence and a hard-working midfield that supported the attack but also got back to help out in defence. Guinan, Purdie and, when he came on, Brown were all lively up front, and Paul Parry had his best game of the season so far. By far and away the best player on display however was Ben Smith, who was simply phenomenal. Team and ratings: Baker (8), Green (8), Tretton (7), James (9), Rose (7), Williams (7) (sub Brown (7)), Pitman (7), Smith (10), Parry (8), Purdie (8), Guinan (8). Subs not used: Scott, Craven, King, Teesdale.
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