Saturday, October 5, 2002

TWO goals in three second-half minutes earned Hereford United their second home victory of the season, 2-1 over Dagenham & Redbridge in the Nationwide Conference.

Hereford produced a dominant display, despite falling behind to a stunning 41st minute strike from Steve West, to deservedly record their first triumph in five attempts at Edgar Street.

Stand-in skipper Tony James led by example with a man-of-the-match display in the heart of United's defence missing the aerial power of captain Ian Wright.

From the opening whistle, Hereford looked much brighter than last season's runners-up and were rewarded when Steve Guinan and Danny Williams struck within 12 minutes of the second period.

Guinan grabbed the equaliser from close range in the 54th minute, diverting a driven cross from Michael Rose past former Wales international goalkeeper Tony Roberts.

And then with the visitors' resolve finally broken, Paul Parry seized upon a crucial defensive lapse by former West Ham skipper Steve Potts. Although Parry's effort was well parried by Roberts, the Welshman then delivered a fine cross for Williams who headed home unmarked in the 57th minute.

"It was a big improvement from last weekend and we created a lot more chances in front of goal," said midfielder Williams, who notched his second goal for Hereford.

"The whole team are not only delighted with the result but to finally get back to winning ways at home."

However, it needed a vital intervention from Hereford central defender Richard Teesdale in the 76th minute, blocking a goal-bound shot from Chelsea striker Mark Stein.

Hereford, who included on-loan midfielder Mick Galloway, made a flying start, with both Guinan and Williams firing over in the first minute.

Guinan should have opened the scoring after collecting a tremendous defence-splitting ball from James but the striker scuffed his effort wide.

The industrious Jamie Pitman shot over the bar as United continued to press for the opener and then Parry latched on to a through ball from Guinan only to fire weakly at Roberts.

The East London outfit threatened only once in the opening half but they shocked the home side four minutes before the interval with a sensational 35-yard opening goal from West.

Stein chested Mark Rooney's pass into the path of West, whose first-time shot screamed past the helpless Matt Baker into the top right-hand corner.