HEREFORD UNITED V GILLINGHAM
npower League Two
Saturday 14 August 2010
Kick-Off 3.00pm
N.B - There will be a minute's silence before the game at Edgar Street on Saturday following the news that former Hereford United striker Adam Stansfield had passed away on Tuesday aged 31, following a battle with cancer.
OFFICIALS
Referee: P N Gibbs
Assistants: D Eaton & A J Nunn
4th Official: S L Massey
COLOURS
Hereford will be playing in their customary white shirts, black shorts and white socks while the Gills new kit of red and black striped shirts, red shorts and socks will get its first airing of the season.
TEAM NEWS
The Gills will include new signing Matt Lawrence in the travelling party but Jack Payne misses out through the severe dead leg he suffered against Norwich. Adebayo Akinfenwa (virus) and Curtis Weston (thigh) are both struggling to be fit. Josh Gowling returns to Edgar Street having made 13 appearances for The Bulls back in 2008-09 while on loan from Carlisle.
Josh Gowling, seen here in action against Hearts,
returns to Edgar Street on Saturday.
Hereford boss Simon Davey seems to have just one question to answer before selecting his team, whether or not to choose defensive midfielder O'Neil Thompson, who was substituted against Colchester. Former Gillingham defender Richard Rose may be an option.
Former Gillingham defender Richard Rose
IN THE LAST WEEK
While the Gills were being held to a 1 - 1 draw by Cheltenham Town at Priestfield Stadium last Saturday, Hereford were winning 1 - 0 on their travels at Crewe Alexandra. The
Bulls new Hungarian central defender Janos Kovacs headed home the decisive goal in the 16th minute.
Then in midweek we were beaten 4 - 1 by Norwich City at Carrow Road in a result that flattered the Championship side. At the same time United were succumbing to a 3 - 0 home defeat, inflicted by League One Colchester United.
The Hereford team on Tuesday was - Bartlett, Green, R Valentine, Townsend, Kovacs, Thompson (Stratford 54), Lunt, Colbeck (Canham 76), McQuilkin, Fleetwood, Manset (Malsom 76). Unused Subs: Gwynne, Connor, Kanoute, Rose.
WE'VE MET BEFORE
The two clubs last met in the league more than 14 years ago, when goals from Steve Castle and Dean Smith saw the points shared in a 1 - 1 draw here at Priestfield. The game earlier that season at Edgar Street had also finished all-square, but that time it ended goalless.
The all-time record against Hereford is -
Hereford Draws Gillingham
wins wins
League 8 7 7
FA Cup 1 0 1
BULLSEYE
This is the name of Hereford's match-day programme and will be on sale at various points in and around the ground on Saturday. The price is £2.50.
BETTING
THE LATEST BETTING ODDS FROM CORAL:
Hereford to win 8/5, Draw 23/10, Gillingham to win 13/8
First Goalscorer (Hereford)
Stuart Fleetwood 6/1
Joe Colbeck 12/1
Janos Kovacs 33/1
Richard Rose 40/1
First Goalscorer (Gillingham)
Adebayo Akinfenwa 11/2
Andy Barcham 7/1
Chris Palmer 20/1
Josh Gowling 33/1
Andy Barcham, a 7/1 shot to score the first goal at Hereford.
