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LINCOLN (home) 08/08/06 Mark Stallard's brace of goals condemned Hereford to defeat in their first home game back in the Football League against Lincoln. The former Shrewsbury striker scored twice in the first half to give the Imps a lead that the home side never convincingly looked like they would overcome, despite plenty of commitment and application. Half chances came to both sides, with Andy Williams' cross from the right almost dipping into the net, and Jamie Forrester shooting wide for the visitors. It was Forrester that teed up Stallard for the opening goal after Lincoln broke through the middle. The experienced striker passed to his fellow attacker whose first-time effort from the edge of the box deflected off Phil Gulliver and past new goalkeeper Scott Tynan, signed on a month's loan from Rushden just before the start of the game. Lincoln have finished in the play-off positions in each of the last four seasons and it was easy to see why. Strong at the back with lots of aerial presence they posed Hereford plenty of problems, with the result that the home midfield often sat deep, leaving Tim Sills and Stuart Fleetwood isolated in attack. That is not to say that the Bulls failed to create chances; but having got past the Lincoln defence they found in Alan Marriott a goalkeeper on top form. Hereford's first effort on target came from a Sills header, which brought a top-drawer save from Marriott. Later in the half another header from Sills had the same result, before Marriott shovelled a Williams shot away from goal. Before that Stallard had added a second goal to take the game seemingly beyond Hereford's reach. Although it followed a well-worked move down the left wing, it was a soft goal to concede, Stallard being completely free to nod home from Forrester's cross. Forrester in particular was proving to be a handful and twice missed the target with shots, and bringing a smart stop from Tynan. Then at the start of the second half he should have done better than to hit the post from close range. The second half was certainly better from a Hereford viewpoint, putting Lincoln under pressure. Fleetwood and Sills both missed the target, and Williams missed the best chance of the lot, shooting over from close range. At the other end Forrester's cross-shot was palmed away by Tynan, who also made another good save from Stallard. Other chances went begging for Lincoln, who looked increasingly dangerous on the break. The Bulls finally gained some reward for their efforts with the awarding of a penalty after Imps captain Paul Morgan clattered into Sills long after the ball had gone. Rob Purdie, who put in a greater number of tackles than is usually expected of him, converted it, sending Marriott the wrong way. Almost constant Hereford pressure in the final quarter of an hour came to nothing however, as the Bulls changed formation to 4-3-3. Within minutes of his introduction, Alan Connell had the ball in the net but his effort was ruled out for offside. Fleetwood then turned his man superbly and his shot was all the while destined for the top corner. Marriott however had saved his best until last, flinging himself full stretch to tip the ball over the bar for a truly magnificent save. Lincoln threatened occasionally on the break, and one counter attack briefly saw them have four-to-three advantage, but the move was broken up by an excellent piece of defending from Purdie. In one final onslaught Williams again shot over the bar for Hereford and Purdie's effort from distance was comfortably gathered by Marriott. Although the result was a disappointment, Hereford fans and players can be encouraged by what they saw against a very good Lincoln side. The Imps showed their class but the Bulls were never outgunned and could have snatched an unlikely draw had they taken their chances. Certainly they will win more matches than they lose if they continue to play like they did. Hereford: Tynan, Travis, Mkandawire, Gulliver (sub Connell), Rose, Williams, Purdie, Ferrell, Sheldon (sub Giles), Sills, Fleetwood. Subs not used: Harrison, McClenahan, Wallis. Star man: Stuart Fleetwood
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