The Bulls travel to Merseyside to face Southport in a Conference match on Saturday.
It is six and a half years since the Bulls last made the trip to the previously named Haig Avenue, meeting the Sandgrounders across seven Conference seasons after a 23 year gap since the pair met in the Football League. The Bulls have lost on only one of their ten visits, which was their first in 1972 when a Southport side featuring one Eric Redrobe beat a Bulls side fielding a debutant 20 year old keeper. Whatever happened to David Icke?
The Sandgrounders are in their third season back in the fifth tier after dropping out in 2007. They had to thank Rushden's demise for not being a one season wonder, but last season were a surprise package with a 7th place finish. This term the part-timers are in 15th place, only goal difference behind the Bulls. Goals have been an issue with defender Chris Lever top scorer with four. Boss Liam Watson has stated an intention to bring a loan forward in for tomorrow's match but is, so far, yet to be successful.
The Bulls are expected to field the same 16 man squad that has served them in the last two matches, with youth teamer Louis Feeley again bolstering the ranks. With Chris Todd's arrival has come three successive clean sheets, and last week's FA Cup victory was the first win on the road in six matches. Ryan Bowman put himself clear in the goalscoring charts with his double strike taking him to six goals in 12 games for the Bulls.
Southport vs Hereford United, Merseyrail Community Stadium, Saturday 27th October, 3.00pm.