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ARLESEY (home) 26/10/02
Second division leaders Wigan Athletic will travel to Edgar Street in three weeks' time after Hereford defeated Arlesey Town by a single goal. In fact, their Ryman League opponents will feel hard done by at not taking the Bulls back to Hitchin Road for a replay, after having had some good chances. With Matt Clarke missing, Steve Guinan returned to the starting line-up. Jamie Pitman moved to right wing-back, with Paul Parry reverting to a familiar position in midfield. It was Parry who scored what proved to be the winning goal after only eight minutes. He received the ball from Danny Williams, cut inside a defender and hit the ball beyond Martyn Patching into the bottom corner of the net. After this bright start, it was Arlesey who started to get on top and kept the ball for long periods. However they could not create many chances, Martin Samuel's close-range header straight at Matt Baker being the best they could muster. Samuel - sporting a truly bizarre hairstyle - did well to create several opportunities for his team-mates and was probably Arlesey's best player. Parry came close to notching a second, but from a similar range to his goal Patching made a good save. At the other end, Arlesey thought they had scored directly from a corner after 40 minutes, but the referee disallowed the effort since goalkeeper Baker had been fouled in the air by Neil Trebble, who has played at Edgar Street before, for Hayes. Tony James was again excellent in defence, and was never beaten in the air. He showed that he is a good footballer as well when after robbing an opponent of the ball, he used his considerable pace to break forward and have a shot that was deflected behind for a corner at the start of the second half. Hereford again started the better side, and created several good chances. Steve Guinan hit the bar with a header, with the follow-up shot being cleared off the line by Samuel. Patching then made an excellent save to tip over a 25-yard shot from Mick Galloway. Lanky striker Wayne Cort was causing problems for the Hereford defence with his aerial ability, but much like his brother - Newcastle striker Carl - his finishing let him down. An Arlesey player had a shot parried by Baker, with the ball dropping straight to the feet of Cort. Under pressure however he lofted the ball woefully over the crossbar. Shortly afterwards he had another shot that was well saved by Baker. At the other end, the lively Chukki Eribenne missed the target with a couple of headers. His best chance came when a shot from 20 yards hit the post with Patching just standing there. Arlesey's best chance came through Samuel. After getting past Michael Rose and Andy Tretton, his shot went past Baker but was cleared off the line by a combination of Jamie Pitman and the post. With minutes remaining, he drew Baker off his line before passing to Cort, who again fired wide. Having had more of the chances to win, Arlesey will feel slightly aggrieved at not getting anything out of this cup-tie. Tony James was again outstanding for Hereford - when will another team take an interest in him? Matt Clarke was missed at right-back - Pitman filled in fairly well but he is more comfortable in midfield. Ian Wright made an earlier-than-expected return from injury, replacing Guinan in the second half. In terms of league position, Hereford couldn't have asked for a better draw. Wigan are there to be yet another giant killed by the Whites! Hereford: Baker, Pitman, Teesdale, James (c), Tretton, Rose, Williams, Galloway, Parry, Guinan (sub Wright), Eribenne. Subs not used: Smith, Griffiths, Fox, Purdie.
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