It's seven years to the day that Hereford United put Leeds United out of the FA Cup.
A
solitary strike from Lionel Ainsworth was enough for Hereford United to
see off Leeds United at Elland Road yesterday evening, and send the
Football League form side out of the FA Cup. Ainsworth, on a high from
his weekend hattrick against Stockport, struck three minutes into game
and United held on until full time to claim a deserved away victory at
the fallen giants.
One
change was made from the starting eleven last Saturday, with Lee
Collins unable to feature, after he hadn't signed for Hereford by the
first leg. Good news though was on hand, as Dean Beckwith was given the
nod at centre back following just over a month on the sidelines. Richard
Rose converted from centre half to full-back. Leeds named Frazer
Richardson at right back, whilst Tresor Kandol shrugged off an injury to
partner Jermaine Beckford up front.
The
one and only goal of the game came early in the first period. Theo
Robinson picked up the ball outside the box, and forced a pass into the
path of Ainsworth. The winger controlled in the box, and placed a
quick-fire shot past the helpless Kasper Ankergren, who stood
motionless. The travelling army were sent into raptures, whilst there
was a shocked silence from the home supporters. Leeds had the majority
of the early possesion, but the goal had given United confidence, and
they were showing it. A through ball by Toumani Diagouraga to Robinson
caused yet more problems for the Leeds defence. Robinson gathered before
going around Ankergren, but the angle was too tight for him to finish
from, and Paul Huntington cleared to safety off the line. The following
corner was cleared as far as Robbie Threlfall who tried his luck from
long range but to no avail.
Leeds
made a response though to the flying start made by The Bulls, with Seb
Carole's half-volley being deflected wide off a defender. From the
corner that resulted from it, Kandol rose well to head downwards, and
Wayne Brown was forced to make a save. The ball though fell lose, before
finally it was smashed to safety. Beckford looked a danger with his
quick-feet and pace, but his finishing didn't match his build-up play,
with a long range effort falling wide off Brown's post. The pressure
continued to pile, and a well worked corner routine led to Carole
curling an effort just over the bar. Jonathon Howson's deep cross was
met by towering defender Matt Heath, but once again, Brown gathered with
relative ease. Leeds were creating, but not coming close, and in truth,
Hereford were pretty comfortable.
More
link-up from Diagouraga and Robinson led to the latter finding space,
before shooting, but his shot was wayward and ended up at the back of
the Don Revie Stand. There was also good link-up from the Leeds front
two, with a Kandol flick leading to Beckford shooting, but once again,
Brown frustrated the former Wealdstone man by pushing away the strike.
Hereford's best chance in the first half to double their advantage fell
to Robinson, after sloppy play in the Leeds defence. The excellent Ben
Smith, who gave a captain's performance with his hard-work, seized upon a
loose pass and played in Trevor Benjamin. The experienced striker used
his intelligence to play a ball across to Robinson, and give him a great
chance, but he dwelled on the ball, and when he finally got his shot
in, Ankergren made the save. Leeds were forced to sub off Ankergren just
minutes after though, as he pulled up whilst clearing the ball; David
Lucas was the replacement goalkeeper. Both sides had half chances from
set-pieces, with John McCombe and Kandol heading wide at either end.
As
expected, Leeds made a quick start to the second half. Clint Easton
made a sloppy pass, and Beckford picked up the ball on the right wing
before cutting in, and shooting towards the near post, but Brown got
down well to hold on. Robinson continued to look dangerous, with a
snap-shot after a quick turn gave him the opportunity. Kandol's height
was causing problems for Hereford, but likewise Beckford, he couldn't
match it with his finishing. An awful header from a Huntington cross
gave relief to the away defence. Rose and Easton both tried their luck
from long-range, but neither shot caused trouble for Lucas, whilst Leeds
continued their direct route but both McCombe and Beckwith were looking
solid. Dennis Wise opted to shake things up though, with Leon
Constantine coming on for the ineffective Ian Westlake.
Despite
the early pressure, United had soaked up the pressure, and were looking
good on the break. An interesting corner routine from Ainsworth and
Easton led to the goalscorer shooting from a tight angle, but Lucas held
on. Smith's neat through ball also gave a chance, this time to
Benjamin, but a powerful shot was once again gathered by Lucas.
Constantine headed over from a Howson corner, before the sub nearly made
a telling impact. He found space in the middle of the park, and burst
towards goal before slipping in Beckford. The Elland Road faithful rose
in anticipation, as Beckford had a great chance to equalise, but Brown
stood tall to beat away a powerful, yet poor finish. Pacey winger Curtis
Weston replaced Carole, but Leeds failed to muster up too many chances.
Beckford tried his luck from long-range but shot well wide, whilst only
a poor touch from Robinson enabled the Leeds defence to catch the
striker when through on goal. Kris Taylor made a cameo appearence for a
tired Easton. With three minutes of added time signalled, Kandol tried
to become a hero and save the game with a long-range shot, but the ball
fell a long way wide, and Hereford held on to claim a fantastic win.
The
win doesn't hold as much novelty value as some previous ones in the FA
Cup, but it is very special. Leeds, the biggest side in the Football
League, and one of the biggest in England, failed to break down a
wonderful Bulls defence in front of 11315. The Football League form side
failed to match a confident Hereford side, intent on playing quick
counter-attacking football. Man of the match could have been one of
many, but Smith was particulary impressive in the middle of the park. Up
next in the cup is Hartlepool, and a win against the Northerners could
leave Bulls fans dreaming of a tie against a Premiership side. However,
intentions needs to be put back to Saturday's match against Accrington
Stanley at Edgar Street, where United will look to continue their
impressive recent league form, and keep up the pressure on table toppers
MK Dons.
Hereford: Brown, Rose, Beckwith, McCombe, Threlfall, Ainsworth, Diagouraga, Smith, Easton, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Ingham, Gwynne, Taylor, Johnson, Guinan.
Leeds: Ankergren, Richardson, Heath, Huntington, Parker, Carole, Howson, Hughes, Westlake, Kandol, Beckford.
Subs: Lucas, Clapham, Elliot, Westo, Constantine.