United 1 Hereford 0
Match Sponsor: Create-a-Net
Matchball Sponsor: The Pike Family
Man-of-the-Match: Chris Robertson
United produced another professional display to see off Hereford at Plainmoor and ease themselves above their opponents and into 17th position in the League 2 table. This wasn't as vintage a win as the Gulls' last two efforts against Darlington & Stockport but is does reinforce the fact that United can grind out a result when needed.
Bucks made two changes to the side that beat Stockport in the F.A. Cup Second Round with the cup-tied Chris Zebroski replacing Scott Rendell and Michael Poke returning to goal with Scott Bevan dropping down to the bench.
The Plainmoor pitch was soft but the match was never in any danger of not being playable and the rain held off at least for the opening exchanges.
Both teams were trying to play the right way with the ball being sprayed about but at times a deceptive wind and some errant passing left the spectator a little let down. United are certainly an attacking force to be reckoned with now and Hereford seemed very respectful of the Gulls and weren't throwing men forward although they did cause some problems down the right flank.
It was a competitive first quarter without too much goalmouth incident but United were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 18th minute when Jones stuck a leg out at Jake Thomson who had dribbled his way inside the visitors penalty area and Nicky Wroe did the rest from the spot for his ninth goal of the season.
Goal: United 1 (Wroe 18, pen) Hereford 0
The match was an even contest even after the goal and Godsmark was looking dangerous down the visitor's right flank up against Adam Smith who was booked in the 11th minute for a late tackle and was then given a final warning after fouling the Hereford winger again five minutes later. To Smith's credit he kept his head for the remainder of the game and Godsmark was eventually substituted in the second half as the Spur's loanee once again proved himself up to the challenge.
Jake Thomson is clearly a player who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and on more than one occasion during the first half he dumbfounded the Hereford defence who had little idea which way he, or the ball, was going. Six minutes before the break Thomson forced a one handed palm away by Bartlett after another jinking run but nothing could be made by the Gulls from the resultant corner.
Wayne Carlisle has been in fine form in recent weeks and during today's match he was outstanding. He was everywhere and involved in much of United's better work as well as putting in a shift in a defensive sense when needed. Just before the end of the first period Wayne produced a superb chipped cross which was met by Thomson but Bartlett saved and the loose ball fell to a Hereford defender who cleared the ball to safety.
Half-Time: United 1 Hereford 0
United made a bright start to the second half and Elliot Benyon was unlucky not to get on the end of a Carlisle cross with a header that ended up wide of Bartlett's goal. Hereford were combative in midfield but as the game wore on they seemed to lose their spark in attack while United kept up a constant threat of adding to their one goal.
Just after the hour mark Hereford finally got a clear sight of goal when former Gull Leon Constantine was slipped in just 8 yards out but Michael Poke rushed off his line and blocked well at the expense of a corner.
United came close to doubling their lead when Lee Mansell combined well with Nicky Wroe down the right with the Gulls' right back beating the onrushing Bartlett to the ball and squaring across goal but substitute Scott Rendell, who had just replaced Elliot Benyon, was denied a goal by a double challenge just five yards from an empty Hereford net.
The one difference you notice now watching United is the constant attacking threat they now possess. It has been a while now since any team managed to get them under the cosh and negate them in the final third and this match was no different. There is raw pace, trickery, technical ability and clever thinking in much of United's forward play as a team at the moment and any opponent scouting at Plainmoor at this time must get a report back which will make worrying reading.
As the match ticked toward its conclusion United had a sustained period of pressure with the best chance falling to Adam Smith but Bartlett made a smart save with his feet to deny the Gulls' left back. Hereford were trying to push forward and chase an equalizer but, if anything, it was United who looked far more likely to score.
As always though, with a one goal lead, the nerves can fray a little and Pugh nearly equalized in added-on time when he shot inches over Poke's crossbar after a penalty box melee but thankfully his shot was always rising and if Poke hadn't saved it there was a fair chance that Lee Mansell would have with as he flung himself into the back of the net!
Full-Time: United 1 Hereford 0
In the end a job well done but the rest of the week provides probable sterner tests beginning with a trip to high flying Bournemouth on Monday and the visit of League 1 Brighton to Plainmoor next Saturday in the Third Round of the F.A. Cup. It's never dull watching United and I doubt the next seven days will bring anything to change that view.
