Harriers stun the Bulls in derby win

The Harriers stunned a ten man Hereford Utd today with a strong display that made a mockery of the result against Aldershot last week when we crumbled to a 4-1 defeat.    Today a different side turned up in the faded grandeur of Edgar Street to stifle the home side with some classy defending and then sneak all three points mid way through the second half.    The expected barrage from a high flying Utd never came and we saw the game out easily and the team trooped off with applause ringing in their ears.

We had the expected debuts from our two most recent signings and Jon Newby looks a good, if temporary acquisition, along with Simon Rea who never put a foot wrong throughout the game.    Luke Reynolds also made another start following a good showing last week but the other recent new face, Mike McGrath, failed to make the bench.

Michael Blackwood also won a reprieve after a shocking game last week and thank God he did because he got the all important goal for us.

Right from the first whistle the Reds took the game to Hereford, worrying and harrying the hosts into mistakes and poor decisions.    Newby showed his credentials with some intelligent running and almost made an early goal for us when he sent a cross flashing across the face that Reynolds only just failed to get a foot to.

On twenty eight minutes Johnny Mullins forced Wayne Brown into a good save when he sent in a strong header following a Harkness free kick and that was followed up with a further decent save from Brown when Gareth Sheldon sent in a drive from eighteen yards out.

Just after that came the controversial incident that saw the instant dismissal of Andy Ferrell following a clumsy challenge by Terry Fleming.

Ferrell had the ball on the halfway line but as Fleming came sliding in for the tackle he jumped to avoid him but Fleming caught him with his studs.    The tackle from our man would normally have earned a red card but that was given to the Hereford man instead when he appeared to turn around and aim a kick at Terry.

At first everyone thought the red card was for Fleming but it was facing towards Ferrell and it was Ferrell who was the one slowly walking off to jeers from the Harriers contingent.

Utd regrouped but looked a bit nervy now that they were down to ten men and the Harriers almost rubbed salt into their wounds when Luke Reynolds almost grabbed a forty fifth minute lead to take into the break.    Newby again supplied the cross that Luke bought down and turned onto in one swift movement to force Brown into a save that denied him a second goal in consecutive games.