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ALDERSHOT (home) 21/09/04 Hereford notched up their third consecutive win with a hard-fought victory over last season's play-off runners-up, Aldershot Town. At times there was very good, fast, attacking football from both sides, and there could have been many more goals than the two that were scored. The home side were keen to make an early mark on the match, with Tony James' crunching challenge on Aaron McLean - subject toa chorus of boos every time he touched the ball - setting the tone for the rest of the contest. It took just four minutes for the Bulls to take the lead. From the left, Mark Robinson passed inside to Jamie Pitman, who in turn played the ball to Danny Williams. Williams jinked passed a defender and shot low into the bottom corner. From then on, the rest of the half was very much end-to-end. The Shots could have got back on level terms within minutes after James misjudged a pass, allowing Tim Sills a clear sight at goal. Fortunately however, Sills, who scored twice against the Bulls last season, sliced his attempt narrowly wide. Shortly afterwards United could have extended their lead, when David Brown flicked on Robinson's cross, but Lee Mills' overhead kick found the side netting. Aldershot were then extremely fortunate not to concede when Brown somehow scuffed the ball over the bar from three yards following a cross from the right. Shortly afterwards United were forced into making a change when Jamie Pitman went off with a back injury, to be replaced by Graham Hyde. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise however, as Hyde's tough tackling and no-nonsense approach made a great impression on the game, and the ex-Sheffield Wednesday player was one of Hereford's outstanding players. Aldershot had two players booked in the first half, with Sills being booked for a challenge on Hereford keeper Jonathan Gould. Jon Challinor took exception to the decision, and was booked for dissent - this not long after Danny Williams had received a yellow card for a challenge on the Aldershot number eight. The referee, who had done fairly well in the first half, then completely lost the plot in the second, getting several decisions wrong. The most noteworthy of these came ten minutes after the restart, when Williams released Brown down the right flank. Play was allowed to continue despite Brown being clearly offside, but the Bulls striker had his effort blocked by the legs of visiting keeper Nikki Bull. Incredibly, the officials signalled for a goalkick to Aldershot. Several fifty-fifty challenges were given the wrong way, and the only other player to be booked was Hereford skipper James, for dissent when another goalkick/corner decision had been incorrectly called. This was despite Hereford's attackers being on the receiving end of quite a few poor challenges from Chris Giles. Robinson had a twenty-yard shot go just over the bar, and Mills also missed the target. It seemed like one goal was not going to be enough, particularly with the Shots looking so dangerous on the break in a tense and nerve-wracking second half for Bulls fans. Skipper Ray Warburton missed with a header, and speedy substitute Roscoe D'Sane shot wide from close range under pressure from Andy Tretton. An Aldershot corner created confusion in the penalty area, but Will Antwi, another replacement, sliced his effort badly wide of goal. Right at the end however came the crucial second goal, putting the game out of Aldershot's reach. However, the goal had a hint of controversy from an Aldershot perspective. In the attacking third of the pitch, Simon Travis won the ball from Hugh McAuley, who went down injured. Travis nonetheless continued with his run forward, with his attempted cross being diverted for a corner by Darren Barnard. Some of the Aldershot players felt that either play should have been stopped, or Travis should have kicked the ball into touch to allow McAuley to receive treatment. Challinor in particular made his feelings known; if James' show of dissent was worthy of a yellow card earlier, then Challinor certainly deserved another booking for his show of petulance. Danny Williams took the resulting corner, and Lee Mills climbed above everyone else to score with a perfect header. After this the game was over as a contest, and the final whistle came shortly afterwards. This was a very satisfying win for the Bulls. They are now just three points off top spot, after leaders Barnet surprisingly lost at home to Nigel Clough's Burton Albion. Some also saw it is an opportunity for revenge after Hereford's penalty shoot-out defeat to the Shots last season, but nothing, not even victory in this match, could make up for that. Aldershot are a good side who should again be challenging for the play-offs. If they can keep hold of Welsh international Darren Barnard, then their defence will be considerably strengthened; he certainly kept Simon Travis quiet in this match. D'Sane and Sills is a very dangerous looking front line, and Aaron McLean always looked lively on the wing. It is therefore a testament to the Bulls that they not only won, but also kept another clean sheet. Tom Smith had another great game, and as good a player Tamika Mkandawire undoubtedly is, it is difficult to see him dislodging Smith, or any other defender, and getting back into the side. Hereford's outstanding player however was Andy Tretton, who was an absolute rock at the back, and subdued his nemesis McLean. Team and ratings: Gould (7), Travis (7), Robinson (7), James (8), Tretton (9), Smith (8), D Williams (8), Pitman (6) (sub Hyde (8)), Stanley (6), Brown (7), Mills (7). Subs not used: Carey-Bertram, Scott, Mkandawire, Stansfield.
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