Bulls Beat Boatmen

Joel Edwards Led Out The Hereford Squad

At a sunny Edgar Street this afternoon, Hereford FC won their ever first Midland Football League Premier game against Dunkirk. There was two changes from the starting XI that were defeated by Hull last weekend; Joel Edwards came back from injury to replace Will Haines and Ben Miller replaced Adam Page.

As Hereford kicked off towards the Blackfriars End, they created a few good, early chances. The first when Pablo Haysham’s cross into the 18-yard box was only cleared as far as Ben Miller, but his shot went wide of the target.

Max Kontic-Coveney had his ball deflected out for a Rob Purdie corner. John Mills’ subsequent effort also was deflected behind before a forceful Joel Edwards header was sent too wide to trouble Dunkirk keeper Jake Want.

Following the planned applause in the 9th minute as a mark of respect for former Hereford United player Adam Stansfield, Pablo Heysham created some well-worked chances from the right wing. Heysham’s cross didn’t quite connect with his striking partner John Mills as the ball trickled out for a goal kick.

Other than a low, driven shot from Will Coutts that was confidently saved by Harvey Rivers with a low dive to his left, Hereford’s defence had little in the way of chances to deal with in the first half.

In the 19th minute, Hereford’s John Mills avoided being caught in an offside trap which allowed him to break free from the Dunkirk defence; having more than enough time to compose himself in front of goal, Mills sent the ball low past Dunkirk’s Jake Want to score Hereford FC’s first ever competitive goal.

Mills's Shot En Route For The Goal

On the half hour mark, Hereford were unlucky not to grab their second. A ball forward found Purdie on the edge of the box who crossed to Wheatley; as the crossbar denied his effort, John Mills tried to score from the rebound with his heel, but the ball was smothered by Want on the line.

The Bulls doubled their lead before the end of the first period. Again, it was Mills who broke away from Dunkirk’s defensive line, but despite his initial shot being parried, Mills managed to poke the ball back to Heysham who headed the ball into net past two defenders on the line. 

Haysham Scores Hereford's Second

HT: Hereford 2 – Dunkirk 0

The Bulls restarted after the break pushing for a third goal. Their first chance fell to Mills when his header was denied by a good save from Want. Minutes later it was Miller who came close to scoring. A headed clearance from Dunkirk’s stopper only reached as far as the midfielder, whose volley left Want well beaten but the ball bounced high over the crossbar.

Mills did well to intercept a pass back to Jake Want within the 18-yard box, he tried to set Sol Wheatley up at the far post but his cross was deflected out for a fruitless corner. Minutes later Wheatley left the field of play to make way for Adam Page.

Both teams then created good chances for themselves. First, a scuffed kick from Jake Want found Hereford’s Aaron Birch. His shot from the edge of the area was saved down low to the left of the visiting keeper. At the other end of the field, Jarrod Westcarr kept Hereford keeper Harvey Rivers on his toes when his snap shot from 25-yards out lead to a fine fingertip save to deny Dunkirk their first.

In the 80th minute Bulls fans witnessed Hereford FC’s first league goal in front of the Meadow End. A well-worked move saw Rob Purdie play a lovely through ball to Mills. Showing the same composure as his first goal, he slotted the ball into the back of the net to give the Whites a 3-0 lead.

Celebrations For Mills' Second Goal

Substitute Phil Massingham beat Rivers before beating a further two defenders on the line to get a late consolation goal for the Boatmen.

Almost as soon as play restarted, Hereford had got back their three-goal advantage. John Mills headed the ball in from close range after good work on the left from Adam Page to round the game off and send 4,000 Hereford fans home happy.

John Mills With Adam Page After Hereford's Fourth Goal

FT: Hereford 4 – Dunkirk 1

Sponsors’ MotM: Aaron Birch

Att: A Midland’s League Premier record attendance of 4,060 including around 30 from Dunkirk

Hereford: Harvey Rivers, Max Kontic-Coveney, Joel Edwards, Aaron Birch, Tony James, Nathan Summers, Ben Miller, Rob Purdie, John Mills, Pablo Haysham, Solomon Wheatley

Subs: Dylan Bonella, Dean Lee, Nathan Hughes, Jimmy Oates, Adam Page

Dunkirk: Jake Want, Kieren Kenton-Bradshaw, Lee Potts, Lee Stevenson, Ryan Hastie, Daniel Dixon, Tristram Whitman, Martin Ball, Mark Green, Kevin Hemagou, Will Coutts. 

Subs: Phil Massingham, Lewis Wilcox, Jarrod Westcarr, Joe Bloomfield, Samuel Osbourne.

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