Goalkeepers looking forward to the battle for the number one spot

10:50am Friday 5th September 2008

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HEREFORD United’s two new goalkeepers, Darren Randolph and Craig Samson, are jostling for the number one spot.

Former Scotland Under-21 international Samson had emerged with the jersey after a tough opening two matches for Irishman Randolph.

But Randolph was reinstated for Saturday’s win over Crewe Alexandra and produced a top class show to keep a clean sheet.

The pair are battling for the goalkeeper’s position following Wayne Brown’s departure for Bury in the summer.

Samson is 24 years old and this is his first spell playing professionally for an English club.

The Scotland B international had a good pre-season with the Bulls and played 40 matches last term for Dundee in Division 1 of the Scottish League.

Samson also played last year for Dundee against Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Samson’s Dundee side narrowly missed out on promotion to the Scottish Premier League and he decided to move south of the border.

“My contract ran out at Dundee and I was quite prepared to come down to England,” he said.

“My agent spoke to the chief scout at Hereford and so I came down to Hereford and liked the club.

“It’s a new challenge for me because I have never played before in England.”

He has also previously played in the Premier League with Kilmarnock and counts Dundee United and Ross County among his other clubs.

Randolph is 21 years old and has joined Hereford on a season-long loan from Championship side Charlton Athletic.

He made his senior debut for Charlton against Liverpool at Anfield in a Carling Cup match at the age of 19.

He has also had loan spells with Gillingham, Accrington and Bury.

Randolph, who grew up in Dublin and whose dad is from the United States, has represented the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 and B teams.

Randolph, whose nicknames are Randy or Rudolph, has also previously been called up for two of Eire’s European Championship Qualification matches.

“I had the chance of coming to Hereford and I thought it was a great opportunity to play in League 1. I am not here as the new Wayne Brown.

“Perhaps it’s a bit ironic that Wayne has gone to Bury and I have come to Hereford.

“But I am my own person. I am a laid-back person and I have been brought to Hereford to do a job for the team.”

The Irishman says he has settled in quickly at Edgar Street where there are familiar faces in the Hereford squad.

“I know Clint Easton from when I was at Gillingham and I played against Toumani Diagouraga when he was at Watford. I also played against Hereford when I was at Accrington and Bury. When I came to Hereford last season with Bury we took a point from a goalless draw.”

Randolph is upbeat about Hereford’s prospects in their first season back in League 1.

“It’s going to be difficult because there are some very big clubs in this division who have a lot more resources. I have read that most of the pundits and bookies are not tipping us to do well and they think we will struggle.

“But we have got a good squad at Hereford and I don’t think we will need to keep looking over our shoulders. Our top priority must be to stay in the division and I think we are capable of that.”