Game Sixty Six - Hereford away

11 April 2009

Firstly lets start by saying thankyou to Cheltenham. Thanks to their heroics in the Cheltenham game, we remained 1 point clear going into the game against Hereford when in reality we should have found ourselves in second place for the first time since mid November. An excellent draw though and we had the chance to create a gap once more and almost guarentee promotion at Hereford on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Having seen the 12 point lead evaporate before our eyes in recent weeks, we were always looking over our shoulder now.

We departed from Saffron Lane at a little past 10am for what turned out to be quite a quick trip down to Hereford. Arriving in decent time, me and Jodie headed into the town centre looking for a decent pub to meet up with people... instead we ended up wandering round counting the Newcastle fans and bumping into Ken at every turn. Was a quality laugh though in a really nice town - perfect retirement area.

As we headed back over to the stadium, we bumped into Chloe and Bert who had got the train down and we headed through the turnstiles to get a prime spot on the terraces.
With a quality pitch just level with the penalty area, we settled down and made the most of the good weather while waiting for others to arrive. Edgar street is quite a nice traditional ground in all respects and I have a bit of a soft spot for Hereford thanks to looking out for their scores last season when Trevor Benjamin was banging in the goals for them.

The away end is pretty immense with the City following getting the area along the side of the pitch and also a large area behind the goal which housed Tash and Foz who hadn't been seen propally since Rotherham in the JPT... and annoyingly that would remain that way thanks to us being unable to move between the two terraces.

Bert the ladies man was out in force again...

... and I took some tips from him which paid off....

Helen and Colleen arrived shortly after which meant more pictures as kick off drew ever closer.

Katy, Fez, Lil Dave and co joined us with about 30 minutes left to wait so it really was Foxestalk terrace, sadly for the last time. No season will every be like this one again where we have all been able to gather together for most games. I think deep down we will all miss it.

Onto the game then and the first real chance came as late as the 12th minute as Dyer burst through and the home keeper had to be at his best to turn the fierce shot around the post.

There were no other real chances until the 30th minute as neither side looked like taking the lead until a strong run down the right wing by Myrie-Williams was halted inside the area by Joe Mattock inside the area with the referee pointing to the spot.

Up stepped Guinan who expertley dispatched the ball into the top corner past the dive of the recalled Stockdale.

With the doom and gloom starting to settle in once more, only one man remained calm in the face of defeat..... Step forward Daggers.

Five minutes later, although it seemed like a lifetime, City were back on level terms. A free kick from a wide position was smashed home by Matt Oakley from what seemed an impossible angle. It rivals Gradel's at MK Dons for skill, even if it the importance wasn't there.

The linesman near us received plenty of abuse throughout the game as he ran the line in front of us and I think the tension started to get to him as the second half got underway. Kris Taylor, the hereford left back was another who received stick as he wouldn't pass us back a beach ball that had drifted onto the pitch and he promptly received the boo's from the crowd with every touch of the ball.

As the second half started, City started to apply the pressure. Oakley had the ball in the net but was adjudged offside whereas Hobbs put a header over the bar and King fired an effort into the side netting.

On 71 minutes, King was brought down in the area and as we screamed for a penalty, the referee blew his whistle....raced over... and BOOKED King. It looked a nailed on foul so how he could be booked for diving seemed crazy to us.

Three minutes later, and that was soon forgotten. As the right back delayed on the ball, Dyer managed to close him down and get a block on the clearance. The ball ballooned up into the air and as Dyer chased again to the loose ball, the keeper flapped at it and could only spoon the ball out to Howard on the edge of the area. With us all screaming for him to smash it goalwards, he was the calmest man in the stadium as he lifted the ball over the keeper only to see it headed off the line and onto the bar by Jackson, the defender who had cocked up the clearance. The ball flew up again and Dyer stormed in as it fell to smash the ball home on the half volley to cue absolute pandemonium. The celebrations were completley mental as we all surged around hugging and jumping at each other - the rush was incredible. So much so that I didn't have any chance of a picture so I stole the one from the official site to convey the emotion that that goal brought....

That goal brought one of the biggest rushes in my time in following Leicester - words can't describe the feelings as the ball fell to Dyer to finish. The whole moment seemed to be in slow motion and was one of those times that you will remember to the day you die - even looking back now, I can still see the goal so clearly in my mind.

With about five minutes left, the game was sealed as some brilliant skill in front of by Max Gradel saw him flick the ball over Kris Taylor, pulling his pants down on route. He stormed into the area, waited for the keeper to make his move and then pulled it back for Steve Howard to tap it into the empty net. Great skill from the Ivorian and wrapped up a perfect away day.

As the final whistle went, we didn't want the day to end as the sun was shining on the players as they applauded our efforts as we did likewise to them. Four points clear with four to go in what could have been a defining day in our season.

As we finally left the ground, we said goodbye to people and me and Jodie headed over to the car park where Jim joined in the celebrations as we worked out that it would now need a miracle to stop us claiming at least second spot and promotion back to the championship.

Hereford..... another name to add to the long list of memorable away days this season. Every single one as left something in our minds, whether it be a small detail or the whole experience. Hereford United and Edgar street will definately come under the second category. 11th April - the day we had a smile back on our faces.