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Hereford Match Preview

Last updated : 04 January 2008 By Matthew Jones
 

The F.A. Cup is back this weekend, as Tranmere Rovers take on Hereford United in a third round clash at Prenton Park.

 

The tie is Tranmere's first F.A. Cup third round match since the 03/04 season, a year when they reached the quarter finals before losing to Millwall on a replay, and they will be hoping that they can repeat that run this time round, with the extra money for T.V. revenue and gate receipts an extra incentive for the team to perform.

 

Hereford United team profile:

Formed: 1924

Ground: The Bullring

Manager: Graham Turner

Nickname: The Bulls

Season Finish 2006/07: 16th (Coca-Cola League Two)


Previous Meetings:

Tranmere and Hereford last met in a 1997/98 F.A. Cup third round match at the Bullring on January 13th 1998.

Rovers won the game convincingly, with Gary Jones, now of Grimsby opening the scoring for Tranmere in the 14th minute before doubling their lead just after half time.

The game was over for Hereford in the 59th minute, as Clint Hill, now on loan at Crystal Palace from Stoke City, netted Tranmere's third and booked their place in the fourth round.

The match was refereed by Mr. R. Harris who was later to have a controversial game with Tranmere in another F.A. Cup match, this time against Sunderland, as Clint Hill was sent from the field for two yellow cards.  However, the fourth official indicated that Hill was to be substituted as he walked off the field and was replaced by Stephen Frail, when Tranmere had meant to bring off striker Andy Parkinson as they looked to defend their 1-0 lead.

Current Tranmere goalkeeper Danny Coyne was left on the bench for this game, with Steve Simonson, who later joined Everton, playing between the sticks for Rovers.

Vital Stats:

All but one of the previous 27 meetings between these two teams have come in the bottom division of English Football

In the only F.A. Cup encounter between the two sides, Tranmere won 3-0 at Hereford in the 1997/98 season

There have been 13 meetings at Prenton Park between Tranmere and Hereford, with Rovers picking up four wins and Hereford three

Rovers have scored 35 goals in 27 matches against the Bulls

In 27 matches, there have been eight 1-0 wins, with Tranmere picking up four of them

On This Day:

1991:  John King's Tranmere win 2-0 at home to Huddersfield in Division 3

1985:  Rovers win 4-0 at home to Peterborough in Division 4

1963:  Tranmere draw 2-2 at Prenton Park against Chelsea in the F.A. Cup

On January 6th, Tranmere have played 11 times, winning on five occasions as well as drawing three and losing three.  They have scored 23 goals and conceded 13 goals in those games.


The Form Book:

Tranmere last 6 home games: WLLWWW 

Hereford last 6 away games:  WWDWWW



Double Hit:

Tranmere Rovers midfielder Steven Jennings joined Hereford on loan for three months during the 2006/07 season, as he struggled to hold down a regular place in the Rovers first XI.

Jennings, a lifelong Everton fan, started his career with the Toffee's, but was released by the club at the age of 14 and was soon signed up by Tranmere Rovers.

He made his debut against Oldham for Tranmere in the 2003/04 season after progressing through the ranks but failed to hold down a regular place in the first team, especially when Ronnie Moore joined the club in July 2006.

In January 2007, the midfielder joined League Two side Hereford United as he looked to help the Bulls secure their place in the league for the next season.  He played 11 times for the club, as injury kept him out for six weeks during March and April, before returning to Tranmere at the end of April.

This season, the 23-year old has been a first team regular for Tranmere, impressing a number of fans and named by many as their player of the season so far.

The midfielder now made 91 appearances for Tranmere and netted five goals, of which four of those goals have come this season.


One To Watch:  Theo Robinson

Young striker Theo Robinson has been setting League Two alight so far this season, as he has netted 11 goals for the club since joining them on-loan in August.

Robinson is a graduate of the Watford youth system, but has so far made only two appearances for the club, both as a substitute in league matches against Queens Park Rangers and Newcastle.

This season however, the 18 year old joined Hereford on-loan and has been making managers sit up and take notice of him ever since.

In 27 games, Robinson has netted eleven goals, and with his electric pace he has been frightening the life out of defenders in League Two.

He has a natural eye for goal, scoring both spectacular and regular goals for the club.  He has netted five goals in his last six games for Hereford and wears the number 22 shirt for the club.

How They Got There:

Tranmere Rovers have reached this stage of the competition thanks to two away wins against League Two opposition.

Firstly, Rovers had to come from behind to defeat Chesterfield 2-1 at Saltergate, with goals coming from Chris Greenacre and Antony Kay, before Greenacre was again on target against Bradford, as Rovers win 3-0 at Valley Parade, with Greenacre netting twice and Steven Jennings getting the other Rovers goal.

Hereford meanwhile have had to play three games to book their place in the third round of the 2007/08 F.A. Cup.

The Bulls were drawn at home to Leeds United in the first round of the competition and the game, played live on Sky Sports, went to a replay following a 0-0 draw.  The replay saw Hereford win 1-0 thanks to a third minute strike from Ainsworth, earning the Bulls a second round tie at home to Hartlepool.  The Monkey Hangers were to become Hereford's third League One scalp of the season (following a 4-1 League Cup win over Yeovil), as a 45th minute strike from McCombe gave the Bulls the lead before Robinson sealed the win in the 85th minute.


 
Team News:

Rovers injury woes worsened following the New Years Day defeat at Crewe with Chris Greenacre (hamstring) and Jennison Myrie-Williams (calf) doubts for the Cup tie against Hereford.

If unfit, the pair would join Chris Shuker and Steve Davies (both knee) who are both out for the season, on the injury list.

Rovers will also be without captain Ian Goodison through suspension after his sending off on New Years Day.

 
Jones' Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Hereford United

I think that this is going to be one of those F.A. Cup games which Tranmere Rovers just manage to sneak through, the kind of cup performance we have seen Rovers scrape out so many times in the past.

Despite Hereford being a League Two side, and maybe underdogs for this game, they are by no means a poor side, having already knocked League One sides Leeds United and Hartlepool United out of the F.A. Cup this season.  Personally, I feel that the top of League Two and much of League One is very different in quality and these two results suggest the same.

Tranmere should perhaps have enough quality to edge past the Bulls, but it will not be easy and the away team should not be underestimated.  Rovers will have to put in a solid performance and hope that the strikers do the business at the right end of the field.