CC Div One & Two: 30/31st January

[Kop66]

Positive Signings for Hereford Utd

I just thought I’d mention two former fans favourites have re-signed for Hereford.

G.Turner talking about Ben Smith to http://www.herefordunited.co.uk
Ben Smith is someone we were sad to lose a couple of years ago but I’ve kept an eye on ever since. We have tried and failed to get him before but I’m delighted that this time we have been successful in our efforts. There was plenty of interest in him so it’s nice recognition for us that he’s decided to come back here.
“We’ve been lacking goals since our return to the Football League and Ben has the potential to both score and create them. He has been in excellent form for Weymouth and though he is stepping up a level, there is no doubt he has the ability to succeed with us. He is that little bit different to the midfielders we already have here and hopefully he’ll compliment them by being more productive in the final third. He’s excited to have returned to League football and cannot wait to get started after a difficult few weeks at Weymouth.

Great news as far as I’m concerned he turned down 2 lge 1 teams and 2 other lge 2 teams to rejoin us.

On Steve Guinan
“In Steve Guinan we have brought back a player we again know a lot about but someone who enjoyed the best spell of his career here. He is an intelligent player who is very good at linking up the play and has the experience that our current forwards lack. He will take a little bit of pressure off the younger lads and, knowing the game as he does, will provide someone for them to learn from.
“Initially he comes here on a month’s loan but he is available for transfer and has the chance to prove himself and earn a longer deal. Ideally he will make it very hard for us to let him go again.

Superb Steve scored 38 goals in 72 games for us in the Conference, helping us to reach the runners up spot on two occasions and is still young enough for more at 31yrs

Both Players played against Notts County in Saturdays home win which was a great result after 3 straight losses.

Match report
Hereford United 3 - 2 Notts County
Trent McClenahan 9m - Jason Lee 6m
Steve Guinnan 27m - Jason Lee 64m
Steve Guinnan 68m

The Bulls notched up a much needed win against Notts County with three out of the four recent signings making a big contribution. Only left sided player Danny Thomas didn't get a start in the new look line up.
After a bright start United gave away an early goal when Jason Lee got the slightest of touches on a deep cross, it was enough to elude Wayne Brown in goal.
United fans didn't have to wait long for an equaliser though and two minutes later Hereford broke quickly and a well timed ball from Steve Jennings put through his fellow 'new boy' Ben Smith. Smith's rasping left footed shot beat the 'keeper only hit the near post and cannon back out to the incoming Trent McClenahan who coolly slotted the ball in difficult circumstances.
It was like a blast from the past on 26 minutes as Ben Smith picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch, then played a perfectly weighted ball to beat the offside trap and send Steve Guinan through on goal. Guinan sent the keeper the wrong way with a little jink and rounded him to slot the ball home to give the Bulls the lead.

United then well and truly took over the match, some neat passing and creativity from both Smith and Steve Jennings saw United dominate for long periods.
Simon Travis was released down the left wing on a great number of occasions and if only his finals balls had been a little more accurate United could easily have gone in at the break four or five goals to the good.
It was Travis that had probably the closest effort to scoring when he cut into the box after a nice pass from Alan Connell and chose to shoot with his left foot when he had time to take the ball onto his right, he saw his attempt squirt wide when it looked like a goal was on the cards.

Ben Smith finished his first half début well when he latched on to a through pass only to see his placed effort hit the woodwork. The over zealous linesman had however already raised his flag when it was obvious to all the 3,000 Hereford fans that he was plainly onside. This was not the first time that the assistant had infuriated the home crowd.

The second half was always going to struggle to rival the first and so it turned out. County certainly worked harder and won a lot more ball than they had in the first half, United on the other hand didn't quite get the ball down as well and struggled to find the passing game that had impressed so much.
County's possession didn't really look like breaking down the solid Hereford back line but on 64 minutes, as often happens in football, County found an equaliser against the run of play. A near post cross from right in the corner found that man Jason Lee again as he beat Wayne Brown to the ball and his powerful header nestled neatly into the top corner of the net.
This was the signal Hereford needed and they suddenly upped their game a gear. On the 68th minute Trent McClenahan found himself in a bit of space and found Steve Guinan with room in the 18 yard area, Guinan took his chance well and powered the ball into the net to give United the lead once more.
As expected Notts County then pushed hard to look for another equaliser and United had to hang on at times while enduring continuous bombardments into their penalty area. Andy Williams was brought on for the hard working Alan Connell, and then Luke Webb took over form man of the match Steve Jennings to see the last few minutes out.
United will be pleased with the three points and will look to emulate their first half performance in future games. Graham Turner's mid-week signings have certainly freshened up the United squad and added a little more class to an already good footballing team.


Hereford travel to Bury on Tuesday night and are widely available @ 9/4, I’m not saying they are going to win but those odds are a little value imo, I’ll stick my free bet with skybet on.

[kompressaur]

Interesting Kop cheers. Bury is a team i would take on anyday at home but not away. Bah but it's Hereford though

[slick]

Coca-Cola League One
31 Jan 19:45 Bristol City v Cheltenham 1.44 4.00 6.00
31 Jan 19:45 Carlisle v Nottm Forest 2.50 3.25 2.50

Coca-Cola League Two
30 Jan 19:45 Bury v Hereford 2.10 3.20 3.20
30 Jan 19:45 Macclesfield v Walsall 2.50 3.25 2.50
30 Jan 19:45 Mansfield v Torquay 1.83 3.20 4.00
30 Jan 19:45 Notts County v Barnet 1.90 3.25 3.60
30 Jan 19:45 Peterborough v Swindon 2.87 3.25 2.20
30 Jan 19:45 Wrexham v Stockport 2.50 3.25 2.50

Odds Bet365

[Mahatma]

From that list I like Wrexham because they have a good home record vs Stockport with a poor away record. Wrexham haven't won in a while so maybe not. Did they sell some players or get injuries? Last game ended Stockport 5 -2 Wrexham so i might pass that.

Mansfield look ok at home and beat Walsall and Swindon in the last 2 months, Torquay are much worse than those teams.

Peterborough-Swindon has some goals in it.

Carlise-Forest probably doesn't.

[kompressaur]

For me it would be hard to see past Bristol City but the odds seem about right to my untrained eye. Forest to enjoy playing a team at their level again and with something to prove?

actually we have a thread for this. brb

[kompressaur]

Bury v Hereford
Andy Warrington looks to have established himself as Bury's first-choice goalkeeper ahead of their match against Hereford.

Alan Fettis had been deputising between the sticks for the Shakers while Warrington's thigh injury was healing, but the former Doncaster custodian reclaimed his spot in the weekend's 2-0 defeat to high-flying Hartlepool.

Brian Barry-Murphy could also miss out after picking up a hamstring injury in that match.

Irish defender Barry-Murphy hobbled out ten minutes into the second half and will be examined again on Tuesday the morning but the 28-year-old is unlikely to be risked.

Manager Chris Casper has no other injuries or suspensions as he attempts to end a seven-match winless run which stretches back to before Christmas.

Hereford boss Graham Turner is set to keep faith with new signings Steve Guinan and Ben Smith.

Turner re-signed former Bulls players Guinan and Smith last week and both played a major part in Saturday's 3-2 win over Notts County at Edgar Street, with Guinan scoring twice and Smith making two goals.

That win ended a four-game winless streak for Turner's side and he will be hoping they can continue their climb up League Two with another victory.

Fellow new-boy Danny Thomas failed to make the squad for Saturday's win but may come into contention for the visit to Gigg Lane.

Tamika Mkandawire played the full 90 minutes against the Magpies after recovering from a groin strain and is set to retain his place the side.

Turner is also boosted by the return of midfielder Andy Ferrell from suspension and has no new injury worries.

Macclesfield v Walsall
Robbie Doyle is set for his Macclesfield debut when the League Two strugglers host leaders Walsall.

Doyle, a former Ireland Under-21 striker, joined the Silkmen until the end of the season but missed out on making the squad for the weekend's 2-0 defeat to Swindon.

Fellow new boy Nathan D'Laryea did make his bow against Paul Sturrock's side and the defender should keep his place after impressing despite the loss.

Danny Swailes and Matty McNeil didn't make the 16 against the Robins and manager Paul Ince must decide whether to reinstate them at the expense of Martin Bullock and John Miles.

Rob Scott (calf) could miss out but Jonny Brain, Andrew Teague and Jimmy McNulty (all broken leg) are definitely sidelined.

Walsall boss Richard Money is set to be without defender Ian Roper.

The 29-year-old was stretchered off with a knee injury during the first-half of Saturday's draw with Boston after falling awkwardly and is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Anthony Gerrard made his return from a head injury to replace Roper in that game and is set for a return to the starting line-up against Ince's side.

Darren Wrack is slowly working his way back to fitness following his hamstring injury and after playing 60 minutes of a reserve team game last week, he could return to the bench.

The Saddlers' lead at the top of Coca-Cola League Two was cut to just a point on Saturday and they will be looking to get back on track by defeating the Silkmen.

Mansfield v Torquay
Mansfield manager Billy Dearden will be without striker Barry Conlon for the visit of rock-bottom Torquay.

Conlon, who scored in each of his first three games for the Stags since moving from Darlington, marked his fourth appearance at Chester on Saturday with a red card for violent conduct inside the opening 10 minutes and starts a three-game ban.

Michael Boulding is expected to come in to partner Martin Gritton in attack while Dearden's defensive options could be boosted by the return of Johnny Mullins.

The right-back missed the 1-1 draw against City with a stud-puncture wound in his leg but is back in contention, while Alex-Jean Baptiste came through the 90 minutes successfully after his back injury and will continue.

Midfielder Giles Coke remains a month away from a return after surgery on his knee and Danny Reet (ankle) remains short of match fitness.

Jake Buxton picked up his fifth booking of the season at Chester but is available to face the Gulls.

Leading scorer Jamie ward is Torquay's main injury concern.

Ward suffered a recurrence of a niggling knee injury after volleying the fourth-minute opener in the Gulls' 4-1 home win over relegation rivals Grimsby on Friday.

Lee Thorpe's hat-trick ended a 19-match club-record sequence without a league win. Ward's first-half replacement was Jamal Easter, the on-loan Cardiff striker, and he could start.

Fellow loanees Kevin Miller and Mark Robinson made their debuts against the Mariners and are expected to keep their places.

Kevin Hill tonsillitis faces a late fitness test.

Notts County v Barnet
Notts County boss Steve Thompson will have on-loan Sheffield United midfielder Ian Ross available for the visit of Barnet after completing a deal to keep the 21-year-old at Meadow Lane until the end of the season.

Ross returned to Bramall Lane two weeks ago after a successful six-month loan spell with the Magpies. He has already made 31 appearances this season, scoring one goal, and will go straight back into the squad for the clash with Paul Fairclough's side.

However, Thompson will be without defenders David Pipe and Dan Gleeson through suspension.

Pipe serves the final game of a three-match ban following his sending off against Accrington, while Gleeson will serve a one-match ban after picking up his fifth caution of the season in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Hereford.

Fellow defender Stephen Hunt is also set to miss out with a groin injury, but Austin McCann may return following a thigh injury,

Strikers Junior Mendes and Tcham N'Toya are pushing for places in the starting line-up after returning to the bench against Hereford.

Barnet remain without the services of suspended duo Ian Hendon and Dean Sinclair.

Defender Hendon and midfielder Sinclair serve the second matches of their three and four-game bans respectively, after their red cards against MK Dons earlier this month.

Nicky Bailey, who captained the side in the 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Plymouth on Saturday, picked up his fifth booking of the season in the process but is free to face the Magpies - his suspension kicks in on Saturday.

Striker Giuliano Grazioli (ankle) is still not fit, while goalkeeper Lee Harrison remains sidelined with a thigh injury.

Adam Goss has not played a first-team game in 2007 because of a knock to his ankle, but did turn out in a reserve game last week so could feature.

Striker Ollie Allen could make his full debut after coming off the bench for a brief appearance against the Pilgrims.

Peterborough v Swindon
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson is hoping to have new signing Craig Mackail-Smith available for their clash with promotion-chasing Swindon at London Road.

Striker Mackail-Smith joined Posh in a double deal which also brought defender Shane Blackett to the club from Conference side Dagenham.

Blackett is definitely available but a club spokesman confirmed they are awaiting confirmation over Mackail-Smith.

He said: ``The paperwork for Shane's move has gone through so he will be available but we're just waiting for confirmation to hear that Craig can play.''

Midfielder Micah Hyde has a bruised ankle but is expected to be fit enough to play while centre-back Craig Morgan has shown no ill-effects to a recent knee injury and will continue in defence.

Defender Guy Branston overcame a hamstring problem to play against Lincoln but limped out during the second half of the 1-0 defeat with a calf injury and is doubtful for the game.

South African centre-back Mark Arber comes back into the squad after serving a one-match suspension.

Swindon manager Paul Sturrock will pick from the same pool of players that beat Macclesfield on Saturday.

The Robins moved to within one point of league leaders Walsall with their 2-0 weekend win and could usurp the Saddlers at the top of League Two if results go their way on Tuesday evening.

Jamie Vincent is still out with a fractured cheekbone. The defender is set to resume training this week but he is not expected to be back in first-team contention until mid-February.

Midfielder Paul Evans (leg) is close to a comeback but this game comes too soon for him.

Wrexham v Stockport
Wrexham could hand debuts to on-loan duo Cherno Samba and Robert Garrett for the visit of Stockport.

Plymouth striker Samba, 21, arrives from Plymouth on a month's loan, while midfielder Garrett, 18, has joined for the same period of time from Stoke.

Wrexham boss Brian Carey is expected to name Samba on the bench and rookie Garrett should also be named among the substitutes at least.

The relegation-threatened Dragons are definitely missing three other players in Juan Ugarte, Neil Roberts and Mark Jones.

Striker Juan Ugarte is nursing a hamstring problem while fellow forward Roberts is still out with an ankle injury and midfielder Jones remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Wrexham have taken just two points from their last five games and lie just one point ahead of second-bottom Grimsby.

Stockport manager Jim Gannon is able to choose from the same squad that beat play-off rivals Wycombe last time out.

Anthony Pilkington was substituted shortly after the hour mark in that 2-0 victory but should make the starting XI.

The Hatters have three long-term injury victims in Keith Briggs (broken leg), Michael Bowler (patellar tendon) and Michael Raynes (ankle), who are expected to remain on the sidelines for a number of weeks.

One player who could return is club captain Tony Dinning, who has been struggling with a muscle problem but may make the bench.

Young defender James Tunnicliffe, who has yet to feature in the league this year, could also make the list of substitutes after overcoming a knee injury.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/clubs?league=eng.1&cc=5739

[thehandicapman]

I agree Komp, I would be be very surprised to see City trip up tonight, there is a real battle for places at the moment which should ensure there is no complacency.
There could well be a number of changes from the team that drew with Middlesboro - but if anything the side will be stronger.
Kevin Betsy could make his debut while the suspended McCombe could well return. Wayne Andrews who was cup-tied on Saturday looks likely to return to the side and recent signing Brian Wilson could also return after also being cup-tied.

Cheltenham have now gone 7 games without a win and are looking good bets for relegation tending to draw at home and lose away.

City are current,y 1.49 to win the game but there might be better value in the Overs market which is currently at 1.95 with 5 of City's last 6 league games being over.

Also quite tempted by Forest who with their new signings could have a chance against a Carlisle team who failed to dispose of Brentford over the weekend.

Anyone else looking at that one?

THM

[kompressaur]

Cheers THM. I think i could be siding with you over both City and Forest. I too though am interested in other people's thoughts on the games. Does anyone have any?

[thehandicapman]

looking at the forums, the fans don;t seem to have too much idea on how the forest game will go.

Kris Commons is still a big miss for Forest and Prutton wasnt signed early enough to play either.

was getting a little tempted by the unders but 1.71 is a little tight for me.

maybe i should just leave it alone!

THM

[rcgills]

Going purely on recent form, I don't think I'd really fancy backing Forest. Only 1 win in their last 6 aways, while Carlisle are no mugs at home, 9-2-3 for the season. Carlisle also drew away to Forest 0-0 earlier in the season.

Was considering Bristol City -1, but looking at their home record this season, 9 of their 11 wins have been by just the one goal, only Gillingham and Chesterfield have lost by 2 goals at Ashton Gate. 1.49 is too short to tempt me on the straight win, so will avoid both of tonight's games, I think.

[thehandicapman]

That home form should be taken in context RC, Carlisle were 5-1-0 at home at the end of September.

since then the record reads 4-2-3.

[rcgills]

Fair point. Even so, still don't think I'd fancy Forest at the moment, in average form by their standards, and if Commons is missing as you say then that's even more reason to avoid them IMO.

[thehandicapman]

agreed RC, they seemed like they were running away with it not too long ago

[thehandicapman]

City have drifted out to 1.53 on betfair and that was just enough for me to have a go on them.

The team won't be available until just before kick off but as i pointed out earlier, the only changes will be positive ones.

RC rightly points out that City have hardly been thrashing teams at Ashrton Gate this season but have really taken off in January and have now failed to score more than once in only 1 of their last 10 games in all competitions.
This included scoring 5 goals against Coventry over 2 games, 2 against Middlebro and taking Oldham apart 3-0 away.

The whole squad and the fans are full of belief - well with the treble still on wouldn't you be?!

I'm not too sure how it works out on the value stakes but City are always short odds when they play at home and with City 18 unbeaten with players playing for their places with big televised games against Scunthorpe and Boro on the horizon, anything other than a home victory would be a big surprise.

THM