Hereford United v Shrewsbury Town
Edgar Street
28th January 2012
1pm
Hereford United entertain Shrewsbury Town on Saturday looking to record their first home win since October and put an end to a run of four straight defeats at the hands of their rivals.
The Bulls will be keen to bring some of the form that has seen them pick up valuable points on their travels on to home soil.
Stefan Stam is likely to be unavailable due to a recurring knee injury. Simon Clist and Joe Heath will be sidelined as they both recover from their respective groin injuries.
Right-back Ben Purkiss joined the Bulls from Oxford United and is pushing for a starting place.
Benoit Dalibard is unavailable as he serves out the final match of his three-game suspension.
United's form over the last five games has improved, recording two wins, two draws and just the one defeat.
The points picked up in that period have lifted the Bulls five points clear of the drop zone.
Speaking to Bulls Player, manager Jaimie Pitman said: "For all the added spice it brings, we need to get some points and get them fast, at home as well as away.
"We go into the match with a little bit of confidence having played OK in recent games, but we can certainly improve and hopefully we can do that, especially at home."
Commenting on what the fans can do to help the team on Saturday, Pitman said, "Enjoy the game, enjoy the occasion and give the team plenty of vocal support.
"It creates a good atmosphere and it certainly lifts the players."
Pitman: Wants vocal support for his team
Shrewsbury Town are once again pushing for promotion and currently sit in fifth place on 48 points.
Interestingly, Shrewsbury have the same record as the Bulls over the last five league games.
They have won their last two matches at home to Southend and Gillingham but slipped up in their previous three matches, drawing twice and losing once
Shrewsbury will be without nine-goal striker Marvin Morgan as he was sent off during their win over Southend last week.
Defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff is also out after being stretchered off following against Gillingham with shoulder injury.
Ex-Bull Lionel Ainsworth isn't expected to start this weekend, with the livewire winger an unused substitute in recent weeks.
Sheffield United loanee Dave McAllister has been a hit with Town fans since joining the club and has taken part in the last two victories for the Shropshire outfit.
And McAllister is aware of the importance of Saturday's match, telling Shrewsbury's official website:
"The lads have told me it's a local derby, a few of the fans have as well, so it's a big one," he said. "It will be a massive game and we can't taken them lightly.
"They're down near the bottom but we have to approach it just like we did the Southend game."
McAllister: "It's a big one"
PREVIOUS MEETING
September 10th 2011
Shrewsbury 3-1 Hereford
Match Report
MATCH OFFCIALS
REFEREE: MICHAEL NAYLOR
Assistants: John Farries and Simon Knapp
Fourth Official: Richard Corp
MATCH COVERAGE
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