Bulls News

SOUTHPORT 1 - 1 Hereford United

Southport still haven't beaten Hereford United since 1972 as today's Nationwide Conference clash at Haig Avenue finished all square.

The result will be considered a fair outcome although both sides had chances to take all three points in a game played in difficult conditions. A strong wind and saturated pitch did little to help the flow of the match, combined with niggling stoppages in the first half particularly from the ex-Scottish Premier League referee Mr. Simpson. The game, watched by 970 spectators, was played after hard work by the Haig Avenue's ground staff but water was evident in areas of the pitch.

Hereford started the match without striker Gavin Williams who was suspended, so Rob Elmes and Paul Parry started in the attacking roles. Danny Davidson overcame an ankle injury to make the bench, and Matt Baker and Ian Rodgerson started the game after recovering from bugs. Southport manager Phil Wilson named ex-Hereford defender Chris Lane at right-back.

The first half was a fairly uneventful affair with Hereford facing the brunt of the wind. John Snape hit a twenty five yard lob goalwards, only for it to be tipped over by the back-peddling Steve Dickinson, and Rob Elmes went close after ten minutes. Southport and Hereford went on to create half-chances but no-one really threatened to break the deadlock.

In the second minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half, Southport took the lead. Lee Elam scored his third goal of the season after picking up a loose ball and lobbing the advancing Matt Baker from the left-hand corner of the box. The Sandgrounders had a slender 1-0 lead.

Whatever was said to the Hereford team in their half-time team-talk, it worked! Less than two minutes into the second half, John Snape crossed from the left, Parry shot, Dickinson blocked and Ian Rodgerson netted from the edge of the box. Hereford were level within two minutes of the restart.

Southport reacted positively, pressurising Hereford and it almost paid off on fifty eight minutes. A corner from Chris Lane was knocked out to Simon Parke who smashed a low shot goalwards which beat Matt Baker but full-back John Shirley was well placed on the goal line to clear.

Various penalty appeals came in from the home side but all were waived away by the referee, much to the disappointment of 'Port boss Phil Wilson. Steve Whitehall also wasted a good opening before Hereford brought on firstly Danny Davidson, and then Steve Piearce, to bolster the attack. Davidson failed to impress whilst Piearce moved well but failed to get the right opening to cause problems for Dickinson. However, the former Halesowen man hit a shot just over six minutes from time on a counter attack after a spell of Southport pressure.

The result, which was a fair one, means Southport lie sixth and Hereford in twelfth in the Nationwide Conference.

Hereford United: Matt Baker, Matt Clarke, John Shirley, Phil Robinson, Ian Wright (captain), Tony James, Ian Rodgerson (off, 77 minutes), John Snape, Rob Elmes (off, 66 minutes), Paul Parry, Scott Goodwin
Subs: Danny Davidson (on, 66 minutes), Lee Evans, Jimmy Quiggin, Steve Piearce (on, 77 minutes), Jon Hill
Yellow cards: Paul Parry (24 minutes, foul) Scott Goodwin (54 minutes, foul)
Scorer: Ian Rodgerson (46 minutes)
Man of the Match: Tony James
Attendance: 970
Referee: Mr. G. H. Simpson (Harrogate)

SOUTHPORT boss Phil Wilson was disappointed not to have collected all three points in today's Nationwide Conference clash with Hereford United, which finished 1-1.

He said "We had enough chances to have won and I thought one of the penalties which we claimed should have been given.

"But Hereford defended well and considering the conditions I thought both sides produced plenty of entertainment after struggling in the conditions in the first half."

Meanwhile, ex-Hereford United player Kristian James has signed for Neville Southall's Dover Athletic.