Hereford United V Wrexham

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.

Hereford United 0-1 Peterborough United

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!

MK Dons 0-0 Hereford United

 

 

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!

Darlington 0-1 Hereford United

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

Darlington Vs Hereford United

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.

Igoe Out For Darlo Away

On loan midfielder Sammy Igoe will miss the trip to Darlington after picking up an ankle injury in the home draw with Chester City.

Graham Turner is also likely to be without him for the game against table topping MK Dons on Tuesday night as well.

Igoe should be fit to face Peterborough United next saturday at Edgar Street but will be missed as the Bulls look to try and put thier promotion chase back on track after some disappointing results.

Igoe joined on loan from Bristol Rovers at the end of March and has bought some much needed experience to the side for the final push at the end of the season.

Hereford United Vs Bury

VS

 

BULLS new signing Ryan Esson goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game against Bury but on-loan defender Robbie Threlfall looks set to miss out due to an ankle injury.

Steve Guinan is close to returning after a calf injury which has kept him out since New Years Day. The Bulls front man played in a friendly against Team Bath but boss Graham Turner says tomorrows match could be too soon for the 32 year old.

A win for United would make up ground on the top two as MK Dons and Peterborough played out a 1-1 draw at the MK Stadium, much to the delight of Turner’s men.

Hereford now sit six points behind both teams at the top of the league, but have two games in hand on second place Peterborough, and one on Paul Ince’s table toppers MK Dons.

Bury defender Dave Challinor misses out with a knee injury and striker Andy Mangan is doubtful with a hamstring strain. Goalkeeper Darren Randolph and midfielder David Buchanan are available ahead of international duty next week.

Table Topping Clash

VS

SEEING as there doesnt seem to be much coming out of the Hereford United grapvine today, I thought I would preview the game tomorrow (Good Friday) which does concern us Bulls.

The two teams that occupy the two other automatic spaces above Hereford lock horns at the MK Stadium which could go some way to deciding the winners of League 2.

Three points for Paul Ince’s Dons would all but make sure of promotion who already have a game in hand over The Posh.

Victory though for Darren Ferguson’s side would mean a nerve racking end to the season for the Dons as both Peterborough and Hereford could make up ground on them.

MK Dons are on terrific form and havent lost since the home defeat to Rochdale on January 26th. Peterborough have also been on a winning run and are unbeaten in thier last 12 matches, 10 of which they have won.

These two teams have already met twice this season, once in the league and then in the Johnstons Paint Trophy, with the Dons coming out on top both times.

Hereford will be hoping for a draw tomorrow night so that with a win in their game in hand (which I believe is against Lincoln in midweek) Turner’s men can close to gap at the top to three points and would still have played a game less than the Posh.