Young Bulls first half onslaught too much for Atherstone

The Teams Line-Up

Hereford United Youth booked a passage into the next round of The FA Youth Cup with a 5-2 victory at Atherstone this evening.  Goals from Jamie Gregory, Callum Brennan, Tom Brock and Jarod Bowen together with an own goal against a Tyler Beeson penalty gave Beadle’s youngsters a 5-1 interval lead. A fine second period goal after the break was not enough for the Warwickshire outfit to get back into the game.

The Young Bulls were quick out of the blocks and caught the home defence napping with a couple of early strikes.  Jamie Gregory, up for a free kick, notched with a fine header after just a couple of minutes and Callum Brennan doubled the score almost straight from the restart when he sent a vicious shot in off the upright.

Celebrating Hereford's Second Goal

Ben Miller, deputising for the injured Cory Williams up top, saw his effort saved following a Bowen cross from the right and when the resulting corner was swung in confusion in the Adders back division saw the ball ricochet in off a defender.

The home side were awarded a penalty when a striker collided with Bulls keeper and Tyler Beeson slotted home for the hosts.  The Bulls were soon back on the offensive and Miller broke down the right to send a pinpoint cross in which Tom Brock finished from 10 yards.  Jarod Bowen wrapped up the first half with an instinctive finish following some poor handling by the Adders keeper.

HT Atherstone 1 Bulls 5

The second period was less eventful in terms of goals with The Bulls, perhaps, a little guilty of trying to get the ball forward too quickly.  Jarod Bowen was upended and Cory Saunders saw his effort from the free kick blocked away and Tom Brock’s shot on the turn whistled inches wide of the upright.

Bulls On the Charge In the Second Half

Midway through the second half, Atherstone got a goal back when a clever flicked header found the net following a free kick on the right.

FT Atherstone 2 Bulls 5

The young Bulls had too much pace and tenacity for their opponents this evening and it was not until the second half that the hosts showed any sort of urgency to compete. Once again, the game was played in a good spirit and was very entertaining to watch.

The victory lines up a meeting with MKDons’ youth in the next round.

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