Saturday, November 30, 2002

STEVE Guinan fired Hereford United back on track with a superb hat-trick in the demolition of former Football League rivals Barnet in the Nationwide Conference on Saturday.

The former Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury marksman scored with three headers in the first senior hat-trick from a Hereford player at Edgar Street since Steve White achieved the feat against Plymouth Argyle in April 1996.

Guinan's memorable treble led United to their biggest win of the campaign which is remarkable considering Hereford had failed to score in their four previous league and cup games and were without victory in six previous Conference matches.

The hat-trick hero said: "We have been unlucky in recent games and there was always going to be a team on the end of a thumping from us. There was no stopping us after the first goal went in."

United's goal drought ended in only the fourth minute when Guinan ghosted behind two defenders at the near post and glanced in an excellent left-wing cross from the outstanding Paul Parry.

The early set-back clearly stung the Bees, and Greg Heald immediately scooped a shot over the Hereford crossbar from close range.

Threatened

Ben Strevens headed Mark Gower's corner over the top as the visitors threatened an equaliser, but the Bulls extended their lead on 25 minutes with Ben Smith's maiden senior goal for the club.

A neat header from Guinan set Parry careering down on the left flank and his cross fell to the on-rushing Smith who rifled an unstoppable first-time left-foot shot into the net from 10 yards.

With Barnet's resolve clearly broken, United begun to dominate and put the result beyond doubt on 32 minutes when Guinan rose unmarked to head home Mick Galloway's left-wing corner.

Guinan was brilliant thwarted by the diving Danny Naisbitt shortly before the interval but the striker only had to wait until the 65th minute to complete his hat-trick.

Parry picked up a neat header from John Grant, skipped past Ismail Yakubu and-delivered an inch-perfect cross for Guinan, whose header flew past the visiting 'keeper for his sixth goal of the season.

Parry was brilliant denied at point-blank range as United continued to impress, while the lively Junior Agogo threatened the Hereford goal just once but his late effort was blocked by the feet of goalkeeper Matt Baker.