Tuesday, November 4, 2003

Hereford United's hopes in the LDV Vans Trophy were nailed by Northampton Town at Edgar Street for the second year in succession in a thrilling penalty shoot-out.

But, after the sides had finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time, the Bulls seemed to be cruising, leading 3-1 in the shoot-out, needing only either top-scorer Steve Guinan or the experienced Jamie Pitman to convert their kick to progress.

But Guinan's touch in front of goal for once deserted him and he sent his kick way over the bar.

Then with goalkeeper Lee Harper blocking Pitman's kick, and Martin Smith and Lawrie Dudfield converting theirs, it was sudden death.

Triallist Nick Harrhy struck his penalty well but Harper was equal to it and Cobblers' skipper Chris Willmott fired into the corner of the net to send his side through 4-3.

"You don't blame anyone when it comes to penalties," said Hereford boss Graham Turner. "The best players in the world can miss from the spot."

Perhaps the only surprise was that Hereford 'keeper Matt Baker, something of a specialist in saving spot-kicks, failed to keep out any of the Northampton kicks - their two failures saw Richard Walker and Josh Low blast well wide.

But Baker made a series of excellent saves during the 120 minutes. His fine form and the woodwork - Northampton hit post or bar on four occasions - helped to prolong the excitement, but Hereford certainly had chances to win.

In the first period, Guinan just failed to get a touch to an excellent Rob Purdie cross and the Bulls' leading scorer robbed full-back Luke Chambers at the start of the second half only to allow the full-back to recover to clear.

A great move spanning the length and breadth of the pitch saw Ryan Green pull the ball back for Ben Smith who fired just over the bar and Guinan blaster another Green cross against the woodwork.

When Dudfield held off Tony James to slide the ball into the corner of the net on 75 minutes it looked all over.

But three minutes from the end, Purdie raced away from the half-way line and passed to Pitman who slipped the ball inside to Brown who netted his seventh goal of the season from the edge of the area.

Hereford: BAKER 9, Green 7, James 8, Mkandawire 7, Rose 6, Purdie 8 (Harrhy 103), Smith 7 (King 102), Pitman 7, Craven 6 (Teesdale 88, 6), Guinan 7, Brown 7. Subs not used: Moon, Scott.

Attendance: 1,517.