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BRISTOL ROVERS (away) 27/09/06 Hereford’s poor run of form continued with defeat to Bristol Rovers at a rain-lashed Memorial Ground. Two Walkers did the damage for the Pirates, but whilst former Villa striker Richard hit the two goals, it was the on-loan Charlton youngster James that changed the course of the game with his introduction from the bench, as Rovers turned around a half-time deficit. In a lively opening, Stuart Fleetwood had a shot blocked and Alan Connell missed the target with a header, whilst Rovers had a goal disallowed. Hereford passed the ball around well in spite of the conditions, and took the lead on eighteen minutes. Aaron Lescott’s rash tackle felled Trent McClenahan in the area, despite the Australian wing-back heading away from goal, and a penalty was unnecessarily given away. Rob Purdie kept up his 100% conversion rate, beating Steve Phillips from the spot for his fifth goal of the season. Phillips produced a great save to tip a shot from Richard Rose onto the crossbar, but his opposite number Wayne Brown was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half. The Bulls’ custodian turned a shot from Ricky Lambert around the post and did well to hold onto an effort from Walker. A header was cleared off the line and numerous other chances went begging as the home side really should have drawn level before the interval. Brown produced his best save right at the end of the half, blocking a fierce close-range drive from Lambert with his legs. Fleetwood shot wide and Tim Sills’ header was similarly off target in a half that saw chances aplenty at both ends. Just as at Wrexham on Sunday, there was optimism that Hereford could go on and win the game: however, just as at Wrexham, the second half performance left a lot to be desired. Rovers came back to grab two quickfire goals, and despite now finding themselves behind Hereford never caused Phillips any problems. James Walker, signed on loan by Pirates boss Paul Trollope earlier in the day, came on ten minutes after the restart and his introduction was the key factor in Hereford’s reversal of fortunes. He came close with a shot that he dragged wide, but his lightning pace gave his marker Dean Beckwith plenty to think about. Two goals in as many minutes then gave the home side the advantage. Richard Walker, who had previously hit the bar, was on hand to smash in a pass from namesake James, and just a minute later Lescott sprung the offside trap before crossing for Walker to put the ball into the same corner that he had found just beforehand to put Rovers in front. The two goals failed to galvanise the Bulls into action, and it was the Pirates that came closest to scoring again, with Walker dragging a shot wide from fifteen yards. Hereford never looked like equalising after falling behind. Having competed well in the first half, the Bulls were happy to sit back on their one-goal lead, and they were made to pay for failing to create a single chance in the second chance. On Saturday they return to Edgar Street for a match with bottom of the table Macclesfield Town. Is it too early to say that this is a must-win game? Team: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Mkandawire, Giles, Travis, Rose, Purdie (sub Webb), Connell (sub Ferrell), Sills, Fleetwood. Subs not used: Thompson, Jeannin, Gulliver. Star man: Wayne Brown
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