Hereford United vs Stockport County 15/01/11

Hereford 3, Stockport 0 - Final

  After a long and difficult season, Hereford United have finally given their fans something to cheer about; their first home win of the season.  After three successful away wins, Hereford continue their streak on home turf, in front of a home crowd of 3154 (including 334 away supporters).

  If you weren't there, you will be kicking yourself.  For most of the ninety minute game, the Bulls dominated.  There was excitement from start to finish... literally.  Three minutes in, Hereford were on the offensive.  Stuart Fleetwood, who worked hard from the start of the match until he was subbed in the 89th minutes (for Bauza), crossed the ball from the right, hoping on of the Bull's forwards wold got a foot on it.  Instead, Andy Hall, a Stockport defender, put it in the back of the net - even though he wasn't being pressured and could have left it.  1-0 Hereford.

  Playing up front for Hereford were Mathieu 'Beast' Manset and Stuart Fleetwood.  In their last fifteen games, the pair had managed an impressive twenty goals and were hoping to increase that number against Stockport.  The tally went up to twenty-one in the 26th minute, when the Beast put a powerful shot in the back of the net... increasing Hereford's lead to 2-0.  

  Hereford had a chance to increase that lead further, when McQuilkin received a free kick, due to a foul from Stephen Husbands (who was sent off after two yellow cards).  Unfortunately, the ball skimmed over the bar, the score remaining 2-0.  But Stockport were now down to ten men and with a strong wind against them, they were going to struggle in the second half.

  As predicted, Stockport struggled, failing to capitalize on any of the chances they were given.  Manset, who received the Man of Match award, also had several chances in the second half, but failed to succeed, and was substituted in favor of Canham in the 76th minute.  Exhausted from the amount of effort used in an amazing display of football (one which deserved the Man of the Match award if Manset hadn't been on the pitch), Stuart Fleetwood followed, in the 84th minute, being replaced by Bauza.

  Although having only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes, and with only five minutes left on the clock, Bauza made his presence known by extending Hereford's lead to 3-0.  The Bulls managed to hand on for the final minutes, finishing the game with a final score of 3-0

  

Cardiff Devils vs Belfast Giants 15/10/11

Devils 2, Giants 6 - Final

 It's hockey night in the BBT and the Giants are in town to take on your Cardiff Devils!  Coming off a three point weekend, the Devils were looking to add those precious two points to their tally.  Unfortunately, as he is still recovering from an injury sustained in training, Mark Smith did not ice for the Devils, and the Giants were missing Brock McBride and Jeremy Rebek, although former-Devils Jon Pelle did ice for the Giants.

  This was the second meeting in Cardiff for these two teams, with the first ending in a 4-3 shootout victory for the visitors, and they were ready and raring to go at the beginning of this rematch.  So ready in fact, that player/assistant coach Scott Matzka and Giants' forward Derek LeBlanc got up close and personally before the puck was even dropped; no penalties came from the game of handbags.  Devils' captain got the game going with a delay of game penalty just before the minute mark, but the Devils managed to kill the penalty.  After about five minute of 'good feisty' play, with chances coming for both sides, Devils' power-forward Phil Hill was sent to the box for a holding penalty.  The Giants capitalized on the man-advantage, a powerplay goal being scored by former-Devil Jon Pelle.  It isn't until about ten minutes when the Devils equalize with a goal from Canadian Brad Voth.  End of first period, 1-1.

  Second period, and it started with a bang.  Thirty-four seconds, Jon Pelle added his second goal of the night, doubling the Giants' lead.  The Devils were desperate to level the score, taking shot after shot, but not being able to capitalize.  Half way through the period, the Giants were awarded a penalty shot, due to goaltender interference, which was saved by Stevie Lyle.  The action then went up the ice, and the Devils scored the equalizing goal, coming off Scott Dobben's stick.  But, luck just wasn't on the Devils' side tonight, as the Giants managed to put two more behind Lyle before the period was over, the first coming from Jeff Mason and the other giving Jon Pelle his hat-trick.  Second period ended 4-2 Giants.  The third saw two more Giants' goals, from LeBlanc and Keefe and a range of minor penalties.  Final score 6-2 Giants.

  The next home game is on Saturday, against Dundee, FO at 7pm.  Get down to the BBT and cheer the boys on!  Let's Go Devils!