Hereford 4 – Westfields 1

Tonight was the start of a short break from Hereford FC’s league campaign as this evening's second round tie of the Polymac Packaging Midland Football League Cup is followed by an FA Vase game away at Rocester on Saturday. 

As expected, manager Pete Beadle fielded a starting XI with a number of changes from Saturday’s 2-0 home win against Quorn; there were starts for Max Kontic-Coveney, Anthony Robbins, Sol Wheatley, Rob Purdie and Ben Miller as supporters hoped for a 14th successive victory.

In front of a surprisingly healthy crowd, Westfields kicked off the city derby towards the Meadow End, but it was Hereford who first threatened. With Sol Wheatley returning from injury, he won a corner after his attempted cross from the right was blocked. As Westfields initially dealt with the danger, the ball was only cleared as far as Anthony Robbins who quickly whipped the ball back in, but his cross failed to find a Hereford player as Westfields’ defence were happy to see the ball out for a goalkick.

With 6 minutes on the clock, John Mills and Pablo Haysham combined effectively for what could have been the opener. As John Mills received the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box, he played a through ball to Haysham, but with just the keeper to beat, his attempt was straight into the arms of Westfields’ goalkeeper Matt Gwynne.

Despite Hereford looking the more promising of the two sides during the opening stages, on the 10th minute Westfields broke the deadlock. After the ball was delivered neatly into the area from a free kick, Westfields were able to work the ball out to Jamie Sauntson on the corner of the penalty area, his powerful volley left Harvey Rivers with little chance for what was the first goal Hereford had conceded since September 22nd.

Westfields Probably Didn't Expect To Score The First Goal

With 21 minutes on the clock, Pablo Haysham floated a ball into the area from a free kick, but Westfields’ stopper Matt Gwynne punched the ball away as far as Anthony Robbins. The former Westfields player was able to play the ball short to Sol Wheatley, but his effort was easily claimed by Gwynne.

With just over half an hour gone, Rob Purdie found Sol Wheatley in space on the right, who played the ball towards the 6-yard box. Without any other players getting a touch, Matt Gwynne failed to gather and let the ball squirm under him to level the scores.

Westfields Keeper Matt Gwynne Can Only Watch As Hereford Score The Equaliser

With 2 minutes remaining of the first period, a long ball was played forward to Ben Miller, and despite support from Mills and Haysham, Miller cut inside and let fly with a right-footed shot which saw Gwynne redeem himself after his earlier error with a fine save to keep the score level at the break.

HT: Hereford 1 - Westfields 1

Hereford kicked off the second half attacking a vocal Meadow End; following a cynical challenge by Ex-Bull Craig Jones on Anthony Robbins, Ryan Green floated the resulting free kick into the area. Centre-back Jamie Willets’ snap shot was kept out with a strong save by Gwynne.

As the Edgar Street side continued to up their tempo, Rob Purdie burst through the centre and setup John Mills, whose powerful right-footed shot into the top corner gave Gwynne no chance to put the Bulls infront.

Mills Puts Hereford Ahead

Hereford had a number of chances to grab a third goal. Firstly Ben Miller's effort from the edge of the box took a deflection off a Westfields defender, before John Mills was denied from point-blank range by the feet of Gwynne. 

Another chance for Ben Miller fell in the 75th minute when a cross was whipped in from the right by Kontic-Coveney, but Miller mistimed his volley as the ball went behind for a goalkick. Seconds later John Mills saw his low diagonal drive whistle past the upright for nothing more than a goalkick.

Hereford's persistence paid off in the 90th minute when Westfields' fate was sealed. Under pressure, John Mills found Pablo Haysham on the right, and leaving his man behind, cut into the box and slid the ball past Gwynne.

Pablo Haysham With Hereford's Third

Then, in injury time, a cross from Rob Purdie was met by Pablo Haysham, and his downward header at the far post was enough to beat Gwynne to ensure Hereford progressed to the third round of the MFL Cup

Happy Haysham After Scoring His Second Of The Game

FT: Hereford 4 – Westfields 1
Att: 1,797

Hereford: Rivers, Kontic Conveney, Edwards, Robbins (Birch – 61’), Willets, Green, Wheatley (Oates – 65’), Purdie, Mills, Haysham, Miller. 
Subs not used: Grant, Page, Bonella.

Westfields: Gwynne, Kahaki, Plane (Burgess – 80’), Saunston, Febery, Lee, Jones, Cuss, Amadi (Robinson – 80’), Hill, Bendall (Glover – 69’).
Subs not used: Jackson, Hopkins.

As ever, all of tonight's goals can be seen on Hereford FC's YouTube channel (link).

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