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HALIFAX (home) 04/09/04 Hereford's promotion hopes suffered another setback with another home defeat, this time to Halifax Town. As with last week's defeat to Stevenage, Hereford's defeat was down to a well-organised opposition defence, and the failure of their own back line to deal with Halifax's build-up play. The fastest goal in England saw the Shaymen take the lead with just two minutes played. A neat ball forward found Lewis Killeen, and the New Zealander proceeded to beat a defender and shoot past Jonathan Gould from the edge of the area. Hereford fired a couple of warning shots at goal shortly afterwards. Adam Stansfield's shot after showing a good burst of speed found the side netting, and the same player just failed to make contact with Andy Tretton's glancing header from a corner. Eventually the pressure told, and inevitably it was Stansfield who scored it, latching onto Craig Stanley's clever pass and firing an angled drive past Ian Dunbavin for his fourth of the season. After this, the game settled down, with neither side managing to get past the other's defence. In the last ten minutes of the half however, Hereford self-destructed, gifting two goals to Halifax to give a slightly distorted halftime scoreline. Firstly Jamie Pitman lost possession near his penalty area, letting in Craig Midgeley to score. Five minutes later came an even softer goal. A cross was initially cut out by Tony James, but after the home defence failed to pass their way out of trouble, Midgeley got hold of the ball and crossed for Ryan Sugden to net from close range. A chorus of boos from the home fans greeted the half-time whistle. Five minutes into the second half, with the game plan still not working, Hereford withdrew Tamika Mkandawire - not the worst member of Hereford's defence, it has to be said - and replaced him with forward Lee Mills. David Brown dropped back to the left-hand side of midfield, as Hereford lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. This approach appeared to be more effective. The passing was crisper, and the home side did at least worry the visiting defence. However, when presented with a sight of goal, many of Hereford's players appeared reluctant to shoot, with David Brown being guilty of a couple of misses. Despite this, Halifax carved out a few chances, with Gould diving to his right to keep out a fierce long-range effort. With eight minutes to go he was beaten again, but Darren Mansaram - who, with his pace, height, and skill showed many of the attributes Hereford sadly lacked - had his "goal" ruled out for a handball in the build up. Despite six minutes of injury time, Hereford still could not get back into the game. Much of this was added on after some blatant time-wasting by Halifax, and goalkeeper Dunbavin in particular. Referee Mr Malone should have been stricter with this - but this is a small complaint against a referee who, in all in, had a good game - a rarity for the Conference these days. It was in the sixth of these additional minutes that the Bulls eventually pulled a goal back, but by then it was far too late. A cross from the right was met by the head of Mills, who knocked the ball back across the face of goal. That the ball met the forehead of Town defender Denny Ingram, and not a Hereford attacker, before flying into the net just about summed up the afternoon for the Bulls, who were most definitely second best. After switching formation, Hereford did look a slightly better team, but if truth be told, that is not saying a great deal. As in the previous home game, too many hopeful long balls were played, which were easily dealt with by the visiting defence. In contrast, when hoofing it was called for - when in the middle of your own penalty area and with attackers closing in - the players appeared reluctant to do so. Twice they were punished for simple errors. Performances at home in particular must improve, otherwise the play-offs will be a pipe dream. Team and ratings: Gould (6), Green (7), Travis (7), Mkandawire (6) (sub Mills (6)), James (6), Tretton (6), Williams (7), Pitman (4) (sub Hyde (5)), Stanley (7), Brown (6), Stansfield (7). Subs not used: Scott, Robinson, Smith.
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