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WREXHAM (home) 30/12/06 Hereford signed off a fine year in victorious fashion, with Alan Connell’s brace of goals earning a win against Wrexham. In truth the win was a slightly fortuitous one, reminiscent of another recent victory over the Bulls’ Welsh visitors. On that occasion, Matt Baker’s string of fine saves helped Hereford to a famous FA Cup win: here, United keeper Wayne Brown had to be at his best to preserve three points for his side. Although Connell hit the bar in the opening minutes - when his well-hit first-time lob on the turn deceived visiting goalkeeper Michael Ingham before landing on top of the woodwork - it was mostly one-way traffic in the first half. A badly cut-up pitch - which badly deteriorated as the match progressed - was not conducive to good passing football, with the Dragons’ more direct approach reaping dividends. That said, it was only due to Hereford’s defence twice falling asleep that presented Wrexham with their best first-half chances. Matty Done was gifted possession, only to skew his shot widely over the bar from twelve yards. Minutes later, Matt Crowell robbed the ball from Trent McClenahan before ghosting his way past a couple of defenders that backed off him, before he too shot wide when well placed. Brown did well to hold onto a slippery ball from a firmly-struck Chris Llewellyn shot, before playing a part in Hereford’s opening goal. Again he was forced into a save, coming out to block a shot at Marc Williams’ feet. From here, he bowled the ball out wide to Simon Travis, who proceeded to bomb down the wing and play a fine one-two with Tim Sills, before getting all the way to the by-line to pull the ball back for Connell to smash past Ingham. That goal came seven minutes before the interval, and had come very much against the run of play. Indeed, there was still time for the visitors to come close to an equaliser. McClenahan blocked a fierce drive from Williams, before Brown did very well to get his fingertips to a deflected follow-up shot by Done, turning the ball around the post. Wrexham continued to look threatening after the break, and half-time substitute Kevin Smith saw his twenty-yarder bounce clear off the outside of the post. Smith’s fellow replacement, Lee McEvilly, was also denied, this time by a good reflex save from Brown to turn his close-range header over the bar. At the other end, Hereford were on the receiving end of a series of very dubious offside calls from an error-prone linesman, who also signalled throw-ins and fouls the wrong way on more than one occasion. When eventually they did break through the Wrexham defence, Gareth Sheldon was unable to make the most of his chance, firing woefully wide from close range with just Ingham to beat. Smith and Crowell both scuffed shots wide, and with minutes remaining the Dragons were left to rue their missed chances when Connell wrapped the game up with his second goal. Again Travis was involved, breaking clear from a Wrexham attack as the visitors pressed for an equaliser. His pass found substitute Andy Williams, who presented the ball for Connell to fire home his eighth goal of the season from fifteen yards. Ingham unconvincingly dealt with a shot from Luke Webb as Hereford searched for what would have been harsh third goal. As it was, the Bulls emerged with all three points, in addition to a third consecutive clean sheet, which takes them to within two points of the play-off places. At the start of the season, Bulls fans would have been very satisfied with eighth place at the end of the season; already they have seen what this side are capable of, possessing as they do a very good defence and goalkeeper, and a number of fine players throughout the rest of the side. It remains to be seen whether they can improve on their current position with a couple of possible new recruitments in the New Year. Team: Brown, McClenahan, Mkandawire, Gulliver, Rose, Travis, Webb, Connell, Ferrell, Sills (sub Sheldon), Fleetwood (sub Williams). Subs not used: Thompson, Jeannin, Giles. Star man: Wayne Brown
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