Hereford 3 – Westfields 0

John Mills Celebrates In Front Of The Meadow End After Scoring His First Of Three Goals

Despite some doubts over his availability for this afternoon's Boxing Day clash with near neighbours Westfields, Mustapha Bundu returned to the starting XI in place of Joe Tumelty after he picked up a knock in the 2-1 win at Lye Town last week.

As a near-capacity crowd descended on Edgar Street for the 3rd meeting of the two sides this season, the record MFL attendance of 4,060, as set on the opening day of the season by Hereford, was broken with 4,381 in attendance.

For one of the first times this season Hereford kicked off attacking the Meadow End in the first half. Despite the home side dominating possession in the opening stages, the game got off to a slow start with Westfields defending resolutely. With just under a quarter of an hour played, Hereford were awarded a free kick after Jamie Stauston’s foul on Mustapha Bundu 25-yards out. As Rob Purdie attempted to deliver the ball deep into the box, Westfields did well to cut out any potential danger.

2 minutes later, Mike Symons flicked on John Mills’ cross with a glancing header to Mustaphu Bundu, but his volley was too high to trouble visiting keeper John Hopkins.

Hereford were almost gifted the lead in the 26th minute when Phil Glover came close to putting Pablo Haysham's cross into the back of his own net. With the ball going behind for a corner, Hopkins fumbled the ball in the goalmouth, before finally claiming it.

Moments later, Mike Symons got on the end of Rob Purdie’s cross, but his diving header whistled past the upright as the Bulls pushed for the opener.

With 36 minutes on the clock, Ryan Green and Jimmy Oates combined well down the right wing. As Oates’ cross came in, Green, who had continued his run into the box, challenged Phil Glover for the ball; with the ball in the air, Mills was first to react with an overhead kick, leaving John Hopkins with little chance in the Westfields goal to put the Bulls one up.

The Ball Is In The Air

It Comes Down To Mills Who Reacts With An Overhead Kick

And Then He Celebrates His First Goal Of The Match

Despite falling behind with half time looming, Westfields retained their game plan with 11 men behind the ball, giving Hereford little space in the final third.

HT: Hereford 1 - Westfields 0

As the referee got the game back underway, Westfields looked to have slightly better intentions of going forward in the second half. Ex-Bull Sam Gwynne set up Aidan Thomas, only to see his shot go wide.

In the 52nd minute, a Hereford counterattack following a Westfields corner, saw John Mills play in Mustapha Bundu, and as he broke into the box was brought down by Saunston. Referee Robert Hathaway immediately pointed to the spot, where John Mills stepped up for the 3rd game in a row. Mills calmly dispatched the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net with his right foot, after sending keeper Hopkins the wrong way.

Mustapha Bundu Is Brought Down

John Mills Sends John Hopkins The Wrong Way

Captain Joel Edwards And Mike Symons Thank Mills

10 minutes later, Kane Kahaki fouled Mike Symons on the edge of the area. From Rob Purdie’s free kick, the ball was worked out to Pablo Haysham on the left flank; as Haysham cut into the box, Symons failed to connect with his cross as the ball trickled behind harmlessly for a goal kick.

In the 66th minute, ‘Fields’ keeper John Hopkins failed to keep hold of Ryan Green’s long punt as John Mills picked up the loose ball. After rounding the keeper and sidestepping James Febery, he coolly beat the last man on the line with his shot to complete his fourth hat trick of the season.

Mills Shoots Towards Goal

And It Lands In The Back Of The Net

Mills Celebrates In Front Of The Westfields Faithful

A little over 10 minutes later, substitute Joe Tumelty was challenged for the ball on his run into the box. As Dylan Bonella's delivery from the resulting corner was cleared, Haysham carried the ball back into the area, but was unlucky to see his effort hit the side netting.

Westfields came close to pulling a goal back in the dying stages of the game. Martin Horsell pulled off a fine double save initially parrying James Baldwin’s cross, then did well to deny Jamie Cuss’ header from the rebound. 

FT: Hereford 3 – Westfields 0

Att: 4,381 – a club and MFL record

MotM: John Mills

Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Edwards (C), Purdie (Bonella - 76'), Willets, Green, Bundu (Robbins - 90'), Birch, Mills (Tumelty - 72'), Haysham, Symons.

Subs not used: Summers, Rivers.

Westfields: Hopkins, Saunston (Baldwin - 58'), Kahaki, Glover (Lee - 82'), Febery, Gwynne, Jones, Cuss (C), Miller, Thomas (Hill - 75'), Reeve.

Subs not used: Palmer, Bendall

Video of all three goals from Hereford FC In Action: youtu.be/MCs0cFQjFdU

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