Last Saturday, Midland League secretary Gary Hazelhurst took his place in the press box to watch the top two teams in the League.
Here's his report on the game:
As much as I enjoy watching games as a neutral, there was something about a meeting of the top two in front of a bumper Edgar Street crowd that really got the juices flowing. The Bulls had won 27 in a row in all competition before the game (a point well made by the noisy Bulls supporters) but Church could take over top spot if they won their games in hand. Sampling the fantastic hospitality from Hereford before the game, there was an eager anticipation from everyone involved and a realisation that this was a real challenge for league supremacy. This was echoed by the gathered press corps as I made my way to the press box for the game.
With Hereford attacking the packed Meadow End for the first half, it was the sublime talent of Mustapha Bundu who got the crowd on their feet in the 5th minute. Bundu beat 5 defenders on a mazy run before teeing up Pablo Haysham whose shot was saved by Matt Sargeant. A minute later, Hereford were ahead, Ryan Green heading home, unmarked from a Dylan Bonella corner. Hereford continued to have the majority of possession but Sargeant did not have to make a save of note. At the other end, Sam Williams went closes for Church but Martin Horsell was never tested. Into the second half, Hereford leading scorer John Mills had an opportunity just after the break, rounding Sargeant but finding the shooting angle too tight. Mills turned provider a minute later, a wonderful ball into the path of Bundu but his deft chip was off target. Hereford were pouring on the pressure and Mills wasted the best opportunity, beat defenders before cutting inside and seeing his shot hit the Church keeper.
Hereford were made to rue those chances when former Rushall Olympic striker Nick Wright seized on a through ball from Jack Cresswell and provided the perfect finish past Horsell, a goal to grace the occasion. It was now the visitors who were having the better of things in the middle of the park without creating a clear-cut chance. The woodwork came to Church’s rescue with 11 minutes to go, when Bundu’s curler looked a goal all the way but the ball rebounded off the post. Bonella had a shot just over and another Bundu effort was saved by Sargeant. At the other end, Zack Foster saw his chip gathered under the bar by Horsell.
With almost 8 minutes of time added on, the game ended honours even in a great advertisement for the league. A mention for the match referee, Malcolm Steward who played a crucial role in the quality of the game. He could so easily have shown red cards to Josh March and Joel Edwards but managed to keep the lid on things with his officiating. Well done sir!