Kick off for tonight's league match was delayed by 20 minutes due to Highgate United's team coach breaking down en route to Edgar Street.
Hereford’s side was awash with changes from the weekend as a result of injuries as well as a Hartpury college fixture tomorrow which ruled the students out of this evening’s game. Jimmy Oates, Nathan Summers, Mustapha Bundu, Pablo Haysham and Mike Symons were replaced by Rob Purdie, James Bowen, Ross Staley, James Pilling and John Mills. The bench was made up of Max Kontic-Coveney, Anthony Robbins and three players from the UITC set up.
Hereford attacked the Blackfriars End in the first half, but the game got off to a slow start as neither side could carve out much in the way of chances as both sets of defenders remained resolute. The first action of the game came in the 14th minute when Dylan Bonella knocked the ball out following Tom Lacey’s run into the box. From the resulting corner, the unmarked Aaron Brown managed to easily head the ball home to put Highgate one up.
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| Highgate's First Goal |
In the 23rd minute, Rob Purdie combined effectively with John Mills as the pair worked the ball into the box. Highgate managed to clear the ball as far as James Pilling 20-yards out, he forced Bradley Catlow into making a save low-down to his left to deny Hereford the equaliser.
On the stroke of the half hour mark, Ross Staley did well to chase a long ball and whip in a cross to Joe Tumelty. Depsite having time to compose himself in front of goal, his shot was blocked by Scott Turner, before Dylan Bonella powerful strike from 18-yards whistled narrowly wide of Catlow's goal. Moments later John Mills went close to scoring when his shot from a narrow angle was denied by the keeper's feet.
Hereford ultimately lacked the creative flair that the likes of Pablo Haysham and Mustapha Bundu bring to the side. Just before the break, the Whites found themselves trailing 2-0 after conceding a free kick in a dangerous position. As Staley committed a foul on the left wing, Highgate managed to capitalise on a set piece for the second time as Lei Brown bundled the ball across the line at the far post.
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| Highgate's Second Goal |
After the restart, Highgate were first to threaten. As Nathan Pulisciano eagerly burst through the centre, Martin Horsell did well to charge down the shot to prevent the Gate from further increasing their lead.
Despite having the majority of possession, Hereford lacked the cutting edge in the final third, but the introduction of Max Kontic-Coveney did open up more attacking opportunities down the flank. In the 76th minute, Kontic-Coveney was unlucky to see his shot go wide after being set up by John Mills.
Hereford should've done better to grab a late consolation goal in the 5th minute of stoppage time. Ross Staley was brought down as he broke away down the left wing and after delivering the resulting free kick into the heart of the box, Joe Tumelty fired his shot wide.
FT: Hereford 0 - Highgate United 2
Att: 2,311
Sponsors’ MotM: Captain Joel Edwards
Hereford: Horsell, Purdie, Bowen, Bonella, Edwards, Willets, Tumelty, BIrch, Mills, Pilling (Kontic-Coveney - 68’), Staley.
Subs not used: Robbins, Moreira, McDonald, Richmond.
Highgate United: Catlow, Edwards, Pulisciano, Cole, Turner, A Brown, Lacey, Cosgrove, Ellis, Mooney, L Brown.
Subs: King, Corry, Attenborrow, Murphy, Loney.