Hereford United's Youth Team travelled the short distance to local rivals Cheltenham town for the first of their league cup matches. The fixture had many cross over points with the Robbins managed by former Bull John Brough and the side containing Hereford based players Caffel Tosh and Sam Rawlings. It was also a return to the club for former schoolboy players Dan Price and James Cartwright.
The game got off to a disastrous start after 42 seconds when a misplaced pass by Chris Hyde was latched onto and ended up with keeper Liam Brewer retrieving the ball from the back of the net. The lively movement of the home midfield made it hard for the Bulls to gain a hold on the match and the Robins went further ahead on the 28th minute.
The Hereford youngsters then forced the play into their half and a fine strike by Tyler Weir was brilliantly touched wide by the home keeper. As the half came to a close two whipped crosses by Jak Lewis failed to find a touch from our attackers.
At the break harsh words from coach Gary Stevens on the level of performance rang home as the second half saw the Bulls continually on the offensive. However the introduction of Chris Freddi and playing down the slope soon improved matters.
Chances started to rain in on the Robbins goal after the dismissal of a home defender after a knee high challenge on Cartwright resulting in him also leaving the field. The excellent delivery from Lewis brought out another fine save by the home keeper from the head of Dan Price. Substitute Mike Evans also had several close attempts on goal without success. Shots from Chris Freddi, Joe Loftus and Joel Edwards failed to breach the home goal and the game ended with the Robbins grateful to hold onto their first half lead.
It was now the turn of Robbins John Brough to vent his anger at his teams’ performance with instructions clearly heard from behind a closed dressing room door.
Team:
Brewer, Lewis, Edwards, Price, Stubbs, Brimble, Moreton (Evans M 70) Cartwright, (Loftus 62) Hyde (Freddi 56) Weir, Evans N.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Marine At Edgar Street On Saturday 9th November At 3.00pm