Lethal Lionel!

Right winger Lionel Ainsworth tore County to shreds yesterday as he bagged a stupendous hat-trick and won all three points for Hereford.

Ainsworths stunning hat-trick resulted in a 3-2 win for the Bulls, now 4 points off leaders MK. For County though, it leaves them languishing in 15th place.

Adam Nowland came in for his first start for County, having been cuptied for the Staines and Carlisle games respectively. Jason Taylor came back into the side after his one match ban for collecting five yellow cards. Paul Tierneys injury meant a start for fit again Michael Rose. Greg Tansey and Paul Turnbull started on the bench. David Poole suprisingly started as a sub as well.

Hereford captain Karl Broadhurst was stretchered off in the midweek draw with Leeds Utd, so Richard Rose stepped in. Wolves loanee Lee Collins debuted at right back. Dean Beckwith, recovering from a broken jaw, started the game as a substitute.

Matty McNeil was made captain for the injured Gaz Owen.

County started brightly, Anthony Elding forcing a low block from McCombe. Meanwhile, Adam Griffin was causing all sorts of problems for new signing Lee Collins on the left.

County were playing good football at times, but it looked like hoofball was still a tactic even with McNeil in defence.

Lionel Ainsworth collected the ball for the first time. He played a very neat one-two with Rose, and he was off like a bullet. Griffin got the tackle in, but this was a sign of things to come.

Adam Proudlock was playing as a wide man, and he came into the game with a superb teasing cross that Anto Elding narrowly missed. The dangerous Griffin whipped in a high ball from the left, and up rose Dickinson to nod the ball onto the post. Richard Rose then cleared off the line.

County were playing well, which in turn generated an atmosphere from the Cheadle End.

But then stepped up Lionel Ainsworth. He collected the ball just short of the half way line, dribbled past Taylor, Nowland, Raynes, Griffin and beautifully chipped Conrad Logan from just outside the box. Absolutely stunning.

Despite the goal, County continued to pressure, and Adam Proudlock was fuming that the referee nor linesman (or referees assistant), saw Robbie Threllfall so obviously try to stake his claim as Herefords new goalkeeper.

Anyway, halftime came around, there was a few boos from the Cheadle End, but County were at least playing good football in periods. New lad Adam Nowland was impressive.

The second half got underway, and journeyman Trevor Benjamin tested Logan.

But Hereford were two up when the ball rolled into Countys penalty area. Michael Raynes stood statue-esque and allowed Theo Robinson the chance to lift the ball over to the onrushing………. yep, you guessed it. Lionel Ainsworth, who duely nodded in for his brace, and the easiest goal of his life.

But to be fair, County never gave up. They kept pressuring, and Adam Griffin yet again played the ball in well. Rose (Richard, that is) cleared. But suddenly, Dickinson fell, the referee blew his whistle. Penalty. Leaving Rochard Rose just as bemused as half of the Cheadle End.

Anyway, Elding stepped up. Bang, 2-1. Game on.

Two changes were being made for County. And before the 4th official even held up his number. Adam Griffin made his way off. Very dissapointing that a player knows he;s going to go off before his numbers been lifted up. Just as McNeil is made the scapegoat by the fans, Griffin is by Gannon.

County were coming into their own now, and Proudlock fired over from 8 yards. It seemed like County from last season now, bombarding the Cheadle End, and the atmosphere was there again.

Another regular player who gets substitued, Adam Proudlock, was then taken off for Tomy Rowe. Much to the crowds disgust.

Rowe then had his first kick of the game. A corner for County. Rowe came across, and his firt attempt is low and doesn’t beat the first man. Collective groan. Second attempt. Sam again. County fans get angry now. Third attempt and foruth attempt. Sam again. County fans are now shredding the confidence of a young lad with a bright future because he took a few bad corners.

Anyway, Ainsworth again wrecked Countys hopes by collecting Robinsons through ball and slotting home.

County still piled on the pressure, and another corner (now taken by Rose) was met by Raynes whose header hit the bar.

County were playing well, but we just didn’t get the lucky break. We were torn apart by one player.

County, however, got their deserved goal as another corner was kindly fisted into the net by goalie Brown.

4 minutes of injury time were added, but no chances. Game over, beaten by the better man. A few boos rung out from disgruntled fans, but most just walked out. Count fans’ misery was helped a little by Israel grabbing a last minute winner though.

Overall, a good performance that didn’t warrant a loss, but that one player was superb. The luck just needs to swing Countys way, and we’ll be up there. Hopefully.

COME ON COUNTY!