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Ahead of the first leg of the FA Vase Semi-Final against Salisbury on Saturday, it was no surprise that Hereford manager Pete Beadle rested a number of key players as the Bulls travelled to The Coppice for an MFL Cup-tie against Highate United.
An abundance of changes were made from the side that put 5 past Loughborough University on Saturday. Amongst the 8 changes to the starting XI, Jamie Willets, Max Kontic-Coveney and James Bowen joined Nathan Summers in defence, as midfielder Dylan Bonella donned the captain's armband in place of Joel Edwards.
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| Dylan Bonella Was Hereford's Captain |
Despite the absence of the commanding Ryan Green in the heart of defence, Hereford had little trouble in dealing with an early Highgate corner, as Lei Brown’s shot was kept out by Martin Horsell.
The tempo of the match remained slow, with neither side able to get a foothold in the game. It was in the 28th minute when Hereford could next test Highgate keeper Bradley Catlow. Grant once again made good progress down the left, subsequently whipping in a cross to the feet of John Mills. Hereford's top-scorer tried his luck from 12-yards, but Catlow managed to pull off a fine save down low to his left.
5 minutes later, Joe Tumelty was denied an opportunity to put the Bulls ahead after breaking through Highgate's defence. As Tumelty rounded the sprawling keeper, he was unlucky to see his effort take a deflection off the last man for a fruitless corner.
Highgate were then gifted a chance to go 1-0 up before the break. A defensive error by Nathan Summers left Lei Brown through on goal, but the backtracking Jamie Willets managed to dispossess the Gate marksman before he could get a shot away.
HT: Highgate United 0 - Hereford 0
Moments after the restart Hereford had their best chance of the game to open the scoring. Sirdic Grant cut beautifully into the box from the left, before finding John Mills in front of goal. Mills managed to get a well-worked shot away, but the keeper did well to palm away the powerful effort. Highgate could only clear the ball as far as Joe Tumelty, with his snapshot from 18-yards just clearing the crossbar. Despite having the majority of the possession, Hereford couldn’t really get their passing game going due to some dubious Highgate tackling.
As the hour mark passed, left-back James Bowen got on the end of a Highgate headed clearance, before trying his luck from range. However, the Cheltenham loanee’s rising effort took a deflection before claimed by Catlow.
7 minutes later, John Mills beat his man on a determined run into the box, but his shot from a tight angle hit the post before being cleared by Highgate.
Then, moments later, Dylan Bonella should've done better with his shot from 20-yards. With the keeper well off his line, Bonella failed to control his right-footed effort as the ball sailed over the crossbar with the goal-gaping.
FT: Highgate United 0 - Hereford 0
Hereford made two substitutions at the start of extra time, introducing Aaron Birch and Ross Staley in place of Anthony Robbins and Joe Tumelty respectively.
Hereford had been the stronger of the two sides throughout the game, and they were finally rewarded in the 96th minute. John Mills created himself a fine shooting opportunity after bursting into the box, and when left with just the keeper to beat, he fired the ball past the outstretched arm of Catlow to finally break the deadlock.
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| Highgate Defender Fails To Stop John Mills From Scoring |
HT/ET: Highgate United 0 - Hereford 1
The game remained a rather dull affair, with both sides lacking a cutting edge in the final third, but with under 2 minutes left to play, Hereford doubled their lead. John Mills found substitute Carlos Moreira on the left with a neat pass, who quickly crossed the ball into the path of the onrushing Ross Staley. With Catlow once again well off his line, Staley took his time to compose himself in front of goal, before burying the ball into the back of the net with a cool left-foot finish.
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| Ross Staley With Hereford's Second |
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Hereford: Horsell, Kontic-Coveney, Bowen, Bonella (c), Willets, Summers, Tumelty (Staley – 91’), Robbins (Birch – 91’), Mills, Pilling, Grant (Moreira – 110’).
Subs not used: Edwards, Bundu.