This report on yesterday's game comes from Salisbury FC.
By Alec Hayter
In a tie of four halves, Hereford FC won nearly three of them, and deservedly go to the final at Wembley on 22 May. Whites can hold their heads up high, however, as the appreciative reaction of a Ray Mac Stadium record attendance testified at the final whistle.
After coming away from the first leg just one goal behind, Salisbury hopes were high of turning round the tie at home, and indeed after 40 minutes or so that looked on the cards, as, not only was there a one-goal advantage, but as we all know, usually we can look forward to a sparkling show in second periods playing towards the PB Asher stand. The sparkle, for some unknown reason, deserted Salisbury, and the visitors used their greater experience to take full advantage.
I recorded just one Hereford first half chance, just like at Edgar Street, whilst the Whites produced several, largely due to their accustomed high tempo approach, and on 9 minutes the first of these arrived when a Tom Whelan corner gave Elliot Wheeler a headed chance on front of goal, but Wheeler put the ball disappointingly wide when he was well placed.
Another Whelan contribution, this time a free kick, caused panic in the Bulls’ defence, and the ball broke to Steve Walker who turned and sent his effort like a seasoned striker across keeper Martin Horsell into the corner on 18 minutes, to send Whites’ supporters wild.
Two minutes later a half chance fell to Whelan but he hurried his shot, which flew well wide of the mark, and the midfielder then set up Sam Wilson on 24 minutes with another free kick but the striker headed over.
The visitors were visibly rattled, but the Whites paid the penalty for wasted chances and not ramming home their advantage when Hereford levelled on 42 minutes. A deflected cross found Mike Symons, who had the simplest of chances volleying home from a couple of yards. Conceding a goal, especially against the run of play, is never good at any time, and certainly not so shortly before the interval, but there was hope that if the tempo was maintained then surely we would be Wembley bound.
That was a big “if”, as it was Hereford who came out of the blocks very quickly and some of the home side appeared to be still in the dressing room. Suddenly, the talented Mustapha Bundu got more into the game, having only occasionally flickered in the first half, and on 46 minutes his cross gave Pablo Haysham a presentable chance, but a deflection took the ball to safety.
Four minutes later Bundu was clean through on goal but was foiled in a one-on–one when Charlie Searle rushed from his line to block, for the first act of a superb second half for the keeper.
Hereford were looking much the stronger side, partly because for an inexplicable reason, the Whites were falling apart and getting sloppy with the ball in the process. All the direction and pattern of the first half went out of the window, and the ball saw too much altitude - which provided meat and drink for the visitors’ defence.
Bundu was allowed to cut in but mercifully ballooned his 25 yarder, and it could have been game over as early as 66 minutes when Whelan impeded Haysham in the box for a clear penalty, but Searle came to the rescue with a save from Bundu very similar to the one he pulled off at Nuneaton Griff. For some teams, that would have been enough of a turning point to ignite a response, but not the Whites, just for once, on this important occasion.
It was not until the 78th minute that Salisbury again looked at all threatening when a Whelan corner eventually found its way to Wilson at the far post, who should have done much better than hit the side netting from five yards under little pressure.
That, instead, was the end of the tie for the Whites, and heads dropped. Those heads hit the floor on 79 minutes when Bundu played his last part in the game, setting up Joe Tumelty for a clinical finish for 2-1, which was almost his first touch after coming on.
On 88 minutes the woodwork prevented a third goal after Rob Purdie shot from 18 yards, but it was Searle who had the last word blocking out man mountain Symons in a one-on-one, something which defenders had been unable to do for much of the game.
I don’t think I have previously seen Salisbury fall apart this season as badly as they did here, though it has to be said they were up against the best side they have faced this season. As in the first game at Hereford, the occasion seemed to get to some of them. There were also some who left something on the pitch, and I am sure that, firstly, Steve Claridge will have had something to say about that, and secondly that we won’t see it happen again.
As for Hereford, well, over the two games they showed greater experience, and I am sure that fair-minded supporters would agree that they deserved their success. A very small consolation is that we have gone out to the favourites, and will probably have done so to the Vase winners. I am sure we all wish them well.
There must have been about 2600 Salisbury supporters at this game, and it would be good if they would turn up for our game at home to Follands in seven days’ time, to help ensure success in what always has been - certainly is now - the main objective of the Wessex League title.
Salisbury FC: Searle, Colson (Jarvis 57), Perrett, Whelan, Walker, Wheeler, Demkiv (Matthews 80), O’Keefe, Wilson, Mundy (Young 56), T. Roberts.
Subs not used: White, S Roberts.
Hereford FC: Horsell, Oates, Edwards, Purdie, Green, Summers, Bundu (Willets), Birch, Stanley (Tumelty 72), Haysham, Symons.
Subs not used: Bonella, Grant, Mills.
Referee: A. Davies.
Attendance: 3,450.