A perfect finish to what has been a perfect season.

Hereford’s away form again came through to win promotiont to League 1 with a well earned 3-0 wni away at Brentford.

It was Gary Hoopers last game for the Bulls and as a final swansong, he managed to get his name on the score sheet again to help push the Bulls over the line.

We must of course congratulate Barnet, for beating Stockport, but all the same, it was definatly Turner’s men who deserved promotion.

Hooper starting the romping by rounding the Bees keepe before his impressive strike partner Theo Robinson made it two 10 minutes before half time. Then Johnson finished off the scoring in the last minute after only just coming on as a sub.

So congratulations to all the Bulls, Turner, and all fans that made the trip to Griffin Park. Now lets enjoy the party next week at home to Grimsby. WE ARE GOING UP SING WE ARE GOING UP!

Brentford: Hamer, Pead (Heywood 78), Bennett, Osborne, Dickson, Wayne Brown, O’Connor, Smith (Mousinho 55), Poole, Connell, Shakes.

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Rose, Igoe, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton, Robinson (Johnson 89), Hooper (Guinan 79).

Att: 6,246

Results permitting, by 4:45 tomorrow evening, Hereford could be promoted to league 1.

Hereford travel to Griffin Park for the first time in a league fixture knowing that a win here would be enough to seal promotion, if Stockport lose at Barnet.

On loan striker Gary Hooper who has been in startling form will play his last game for the Bulls because his loan deal will expire and he will return to Soutend.

Graham Turner looks set to keep faith in the team that won against Wrexham, meaning no room in the starting 11 for Trevor Benjamin or Steve Guinan because duo Hooper and Theo Robinson will lead the attack.

Wayne Brown has a slight injury concern sustained playing against Darlington but should be fit to play, Mark Ingham is still out though.

For the home side they will have to make do without forwards Nathan Elder and Ross Montague who remain sidelined but former Bull Alan Connell will lead the attack for Brentford, who has notched 12 goals this season.

The Bulls loyal fans will once again take an impressive 1,500 vocal fans to Griffin Park hoping that results will go our way and to give Hooper the send off he deserves.

Mad4Bulls: 1-2 Hereford. Although i hate to be pesimist, but I just can’t see Stockport losing to Barnet.

Hereford edged one step closer to automatic promotion tonight with a win against Brian Little’s Wrexham side, who now unfortunately have to deal with the harsh reality of dropping out of the football league.

Goals either side of half time from Gary Hooper and Theo Robinson mean Turner’s men have now opened the gap now between themselves and the chasing two; Rochdale and Stockport to four points.

Victory away at Brentford on Saturday and with the help of other results, the Bulls could almost secure a place in the third tier of English football next season.

the goals came after Hooper broke the deadlock just before half time. Although the visitors had been enjoying a spell of possession, a neat back heal from Robinson allowed Hooper to strike home finally handing the home side the lead.

Robinson then put the game beyond any doubt after finding himself unmarked in the six yard box. A composed finish inside the hour all but made sure of Wrexham’s relegation.

Two games left now, we are almost there. Roll on saturday and Brentford away.

Before I finish this post I must add – For the first time since Mad4Bulls was created, I got my prediction right! Just a little bit of bragging.

Att: 3739

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Rose, Igoe, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton, Hooper, Robinson. 

Wrexham: Ward, Pejic, Steve Evans, Mike Williams, Taylor, Baynes (Garrett 70), Murtagh (Danny Williams 63), Mackin, Done, Marc Williams (Proctor 69), Roberts.
 

A vital match for both sides tonight, a win for Hereford will put them one step closer to automatic promotion, and Wrexham must win to avoid disappearing into football league wilderness.

For the Bulls, Sammy Igoe came through his first game back from injury at the weekend in Hereford’s 0-1 defeat by Peterborough and should start. Trevor Benjamin is also pushing for a start after coming off the bench against the Posh in the last 15 minutes.

Brian Little is also expected to keep faith with the side that recorded only their 9th win of the season against Notts County.

Mad4Bulls prediction: 2-0.

Well I have to say I didn’t predict us getting beat yesterday even against The Posh, who to be fair are one the better sides in the league, but still through gritted teeth I admit it was the right result.

Hereford created very little and never really looked like scoring in a game which the visitors dominated. Darren Ferguson’s men bagged their winner inside 30 minutes when Dean Keates headed in from close range after a quality cross from Chris Whelpdale.

Clint Easton and Steve Guinan both had chances for Hereford but were comfortably saved by the Posh keeperJoe Lewis.

Turner recalled Sammy Igoe from injury on the right hand side of midfield and Trevor Benjamin continued his return to fitness by coming off the bench with 15 minutes remaining.

Peterborough secured the inevitable with their victory yesterday, both them and MK Dons (who thankfully won away at Stockport) will now go up automatically.

As for the Bulls, because the Dons won we stay a point clear of Stockport and now Rochdale who have crept in un-noticed, in third place so promotion is very much in our own hands.

Wrexham will roll into Edgar Street on Tuesday night who themselves have everything to play for after a vital three points at home to Notts County.

 The race for promotion is now a three horse race, with Hereford, Rochdale and Stockport are fighting for that elusive third spot. We could have had it in the bag by now, but a little excitement wont do any harm!

FOR all you gamblers, at a quick glance at the bookies you can get Hereford to win 2-1 at 7/1 which isnt a bad bet or for all you pesimists a 2-2 draw at 14/1 looks interesting. Also first goalscorer Gary Hooper at 5/1 or Ben Smith at 10’s which may be worth a small dabble.

The bookies dont seem to be able to cal this one themselves with a home win the slight favourite at 6/5, an away triumph priced at 7/4 or a draw at 9/4.

One bet which I personally am drawn towards is the half time/full time prediction. Peterborough at Half time and Hereford at Full time is a nice looking 22/1 and knowing Hereford, especially at home, they wont make it easy for themselves.

Well there’s the Mad4Bulls guide to betting on the Hereford – remember folks, bet responsibly and I certainly take no responsibility for loss of money after all, I’m probably the worst gambler in the world!

 

 

So my 2-1 prediction wasn’t exactly correct, but no one can argue that if we were offered a point at the Dons before the game we would have snatched their hand off!

Turner named exactly the same squad that beat Darlington on Saturday with Wayne Brown once again doing his super man impression.

Brown produced a string of fantastic saves from Jude Stirling and then Jemal Johnson after keeping out Alan Navarro in the early exchanges frustrating the home crowd. Hereford were forced to keep out a seige of Dons attacks throughout the game but did carve a chance as early as the fourth minute when Guinan had time to cross but Hooper couldnt convert.

Hooper had another chance from 25 yards but lobbed his effoty the wrong side of the stranded Dons keeper’s cross bar.

Paul Ince’s celebratory champagne for promotion will for the second game running remain on ice, although a win on Saturday at in form Stockport County will seal it.

As far as the Bulls goes, the draw means we go a point ahead of Stockport in third and seven behind Peterborough in second. Beating them on Saturday and then winning the game in hand will but us in a fantastic position to finish in second place.

Everybody put your MK Dons shirts on underneath your Bulls top this weekend, because any day light between us and the playoff spots (Stockport in fourth who play Dons on Saturday) is a priority rather than catching ‘Boro in second.

 So part two of the ‘week of death’ over, now to finish the job with a win this weekend, we are almost over the line! As Alex Ferguson once said, its squeaky bum time!

So its game two of the tree gamed ‘week of death’ and it is probably the hardest of the three.

After going away to Darlington and picking up a valuable and desevered three points Turners men most now tonight travel to Paul Ince’s top of the league MK Dons.

MK Dons were supposed to have secured promotion by now, possibly making it easier for the Bulls but their little slip up against Wycombe on saturday means it is all still to play for.

this game represents one of Hereford’s games in hand over second place Peterborough (who we play saturday) and fourth place Stockport, so a result is a must tonight.

As far as team news goes, Sammy Igoe remains on the sidelines, but Trevor Benjamin does finally make the squad after not being fit enough to make the team on Saturday. One slight concern for the Bulls is that in form striker gary Hooper is struggling for fitness after a robust challenge caused him to be subbed against Darlington at the weekend.

Paul Ince has no new injury worries for tonights game after full back Carl Regan has come through a fitness test on a sore muscle suffered against Wycombe.

Mad4Bulls prediction: I think we can get a win there, we are generally better away from home: 1-2 Bulls. Come On!!!

The Bulls finally managed to get back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Darlington.

Although in dyer form themselves, Darlington was a tricky place to go for Turners men who were without a win in three league games.

It was on loan striker gary Hooper who again stole the show for Hereford after his second half strike saw the Bulls claim their 14th away win of the season.

Turner made two changes to the side that drew at home to Chester City. Injured Sammy Igoe was replaced by Karl Broadhurst and Simon Johnson was recalled to face his former club.

the playing surface at Darlington was heavily criticised by United who couldn’t play their usual football but they were rewarded for their efforts after 69 minutes when Johnson fed through Hooper. The on loan striker’s first attempt was saved but he cooley slotted home at the second go for his 10th for the Bulls.

Darlington featured former Bull Rob Perdie who looked dangerous bombing forward from right back but despite two half penalty appeals the home side rarely threatened Wayne Brown’s goal.

Victory meant Hereford’s ‘week of death’ as it has been so dramatically labelled, gets off to a perfect start. Turners men remain third level on points with in form Stockport in fourth after their impressive away win at Peterborough. The Bulls have two games in hand on the Boro which could see them leap frog Darren ferguson’s men into second place.

The ‘week of death’ will recommence tomorrow night against table toppers MK Dons who promotion celebrations were put on hold after they were held at home on saturday to Wycombe Wanderers.

Line Ups (on Saturday)

Darlington: Stockdale, Austin (Wiseman 79), Foster, White, Valentine, Purdie, Cummins, Kennedy, Parker (Nelthorpe 82), Wright, Ndumbu-Nsungu (Ravenhill 79).

Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Rose, Johnson, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Hooper (Robinson 77), Guinan.

Attendance: 4,331

The  Bulls take the long trip up north tomorrow to begin their season defining week.

Turner has stressed the importance of being winners, and if the boys take that on board over the next three games, we have a massive chance of going up.

Darlington away, who are in fifth, is followed by a daunting trip to Paul Ince’s MK Dons on Tuesday night with Darren Ferguson then bringing his impressive Peterborough United side down to the home of football. 

We all know that traditionally Hereford have been a better side on the road so three points tomorrow against a recently poor Darlington side is a real possibility. A draw would be a good result away at MK Dons who lets be honest are flying, then the real test comes a week tomorrow. 

Peterborough have been on fantastic form and have pushed the Dons all the way but if we can beat them (which we can) then it is all to play for.

As far as tomorrow goes, Hereford welcome back Trevor Benjamin to the squad after a spell on the sidelines with an eye infection (he will be wearing Edgar Davids style glasses, lets hope he plays like him) whilst Steve Guinan continues his recovery from a three month lay off to lead the Bulls attack along side in form Gary Hooper.

As posted earlier loanee Sammy Igoe is out, and probably will be for the Dons trip but apart from him Turner has no new injury worries with long term absentees Luke Webb and Mark Ingham still out.

Despite their failure to win in the last three games, hereford are still sitting in third spot and have two games in hand on tomorrow’s opposition and on second place Peterborough.

Mad4Bulls prediction: Darlo 1-2 Hereford United.