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The Bulls clocked up a nap hand for the second Saturday running, albeit in very different circumstances to last week’s splendid performance. At prohibitive odds on, they comfortably eased past their lower graded visitors, who, to their credit, never gave up and scored a fine goal. Hythe, and their impressive band of supporters can feel proud of their FA Cup adventure, though never really threatening Hereford’s progress into the next round.. They can thank Kieron Mann’s heroics in goal, together with some profligate second half finishing, for preventing the embarrassment of a cricket score.
Jamie Pitman gave Tyler Weir his first start, and Dominik Werling’s name was also on the team sheet. New loanee Nicky Featherstone and young Aiden Thomas were later to join the fray from the subs’ bench. Hereford gained an early free kick, not to mention a chance for some alliteration, from which Werling was woefully wide. Then Stuart Fleetwood expertly set up Richard Rose, revelling in his new role as a goalscorer, and he slammed the ball home with aplomb from outside the box. Hereford’s nerves were calmed with 8 minutes gone, and Hythe’s mission statement to prevent the early goal in tatters. Not only did the multiball system not seem to be evident, but a distinct lack of ball boys too. Kieran Byrne’s long range effort failed to ignite, and the home side seemed the more likely to produce some fireworks. Mathieu Manset and Fleetwood were proving a tricky combination; Mann was called upon to make important stops and Joe Colbeck had a couple of attempts deflected away. Rob Purdie then chose to cross when a shot on goal may have been a better option.
21 minutes had elapsed when the Bulls doubled their lead, and this goal had “Made in Ledbury”stamped on it.
Young Weir skipped forward and played a perfectly weighted ball for Purdie to run onto and slot the ball home. Manset’s shot soon after involved waiting an age for the ball to come down and Mann was able to deflect it away. Michael Townsnd also helping the attack then almost achieved success with a cheeky flick. One desperate Hythe clearance into the stand was proficiently caught by a spectator called Keyte- perhaps the board might sanction a signing for further goalkeeping cover? Hythe’s highlight then took all by surprise. On 26 minutes, the pacy Gary Mickelborough latched on to a through ball and showed great composure in firing past Adam Bartlett. The men from Kent briefly dreamt of cup glory as the ecstatic fans celebrated.However, the home side then dashed their hopes with two more goals before the interval. Mann, rather pretty in pink, rushed out to deny a marauding Fleetwood, and then saved from Manset as he headed Werling’s deep cross goalwards. However, the plucky stopper could not prevent Manset’s overhead kick from Fleetwood’s pass from making it 3-1 on 39 minutes.
(Pictures from Andy Compton of the Hereford Journal)A fine save from Rose’s 25 yard curler followed, and then, with the half time oranges sliced, Jimmy McQuilkin’s corner was bundled in by Manset.
HT: HUFC 4 HYTHE TOWN 1
The interval included a nostalgic look back at past cup exploits, complete with on- pitch interviews. Mr Radford was asked to indicate the particular sod of turf from which he unleashed the most famous goal ever scored (rather too central, according to my friend Dennis, who was there). It was unfortunate that, when invited to recreate the shot, the goalbound effort was stopped on the line by Edgar, the latest reincarnation of the Bull’s mascot.
Hereford enjoyed the lion’s share of possession throughout the second half. McQuilkin overstretched and had to depart with what looked like a hamstring injury, and a first glimpse of Featherstone suggested a useful acquisition. Aiden Thomas was also handed a debut, and was quick to make an impression, firing marginally wide with almost his first touch. Myriad chances were created, with Fleetwood in particular, guilty of inaccuracy of shot. However, he was desperately unlucky to see one effort crash against the underside of the bar and stay out. In a rare Hythe attack, Werling’s challenge on Brendon Cass warranted a penalty, but Andy D’Urso waved away the Hythe appeals. Mickelborough also fired well over when ideally placed.
Purdie’s flamboyant backheel to Sean Canham allowed him to set up Fleetwood, whose careful curler just cleared the far post. Weir passed to Canham who turned his marker but fired over. Indeed, Hereford had to wait until injury time before adding to their lead. A rather fortuitous free kick awarded just outside the area was played to Fleetwood who showed determination in challenging the keeper and sending the ball along the goal line. It seemed that Canham provided the finishing touch, though other sources awarded the goal to a deserving Fleets. There was still time for a further Fleetwood shot to be fingertipped away by Mr Mann.
FT: HUFC 5 HYTHE TOWN 1
Attendance: 2217, (including 252 from near the Channel Tunnel).
HUFC: Bartlett, Werling, Green, Townsend, Weir, Rose, McQuilkin (Featherstone 56), Colbeck, Purdie (Thomas 75), Fleetwood, Manset (Canham 57).
Hythe Town: Mann, Smith, Walker (Bond 86), Kingwell, Shearer, Dolan, Cook, Winfield, Byrne (Thompson 65), Cass, Mickelborough (Conlon).