Saturday, September 17, 2016

Mills Seals Hereford Cup Victory

Hereford progressed to the next round of the FA Cup with a last gasp victory over Sutton Coldfield courtesy of a John Mills penalty. Hereford went behind through a Ryan Edmunds shot, before Mills equalised. Mike Symons scored in the second-half, before Trainer again scored to equal proceedings, but it was left to Mills who fired home a last minute penalty to send Hereford through.
There Was a One Minute Silence For Shaw Lane's Daniel Wilkinson Who Passed Away Last Week
Peter Beadle named an unchanged side for Hereford, who last played against Winchester seven days ago winning 2-0. Sutton Coldfield included former Shrewsbury striker Luke Rodgers up top, whilst there were a couple of former Bulls' links. 'Keeper James Wren once trialled at Hereford, whilst Steven Leslie spent two loans spells at Edgar Street in 2011, scoring four times in twenty one games.


The hosts started well and Phil Trainer smashed an effort from outside of the box against the crossbar, with the rebound hitting Alex Harris and bouncing behind for a corner. Sutton Coldfield continued to press and a corner was nodded down to Rodgers, but his shot was pushed away by Harris. Hereford had their first opportunity of the game after a burst from Ross Staley, saw the ball eventually fell to Symons, but he was off-target from a good position.

Hereford had a shout for a penalty turned down after a handball appeal, following a clumsy clearance after a Staley cross. Later on in the half, good build up let to Tristam Plummer putting a superb ball but Symons failed to make a clean connection from close-range and the ball fell away to danger. In the 39th minute, Sutton Coldfield took the lead with a classic route one. A long-ball forward was collected by Edmunds, and from 18 yards, the forward smashed into the back of the net despite the best efforts of Harris to keep it out.

Sutton Coldfield Scored First 
There was a quick response though from Hereford. Staley found space to find Plummer; he slid it through into the path of Mills and the leading marksman made no mistake from 8 yards to make it 1-1.

Tristan Plummer Provided The Cross From Which John Mills Scored


Immediately after half-time, Hereford turned it around. Similar to the opener for Sutton Coldfield, a long ball forward wasn't dealt with and Symons finished well from close-range to make it 2-1 to the Bulls. Soon after, Jake Sinclar replaced Plummer as Beadle opted to freshen up his eleven.
Mike Symons Scores Hereford's Second Goal



Sinclar looked lively; his early cross from the right was met with a first-time volley from Mills, which curled just past the post. Both sides had further chances with Jamie Edge catching a sweet right-foot half-volley, which flew past the post. Despite this it was the home side who drew level, with just over five minutes remaining. A long throw caused havoc in the box and Trainer was on hand to equalise.

Trainer Heads Towards Goal
Yet, in the dying seconds of the game, Hereford were awarded a penalty. A throw into the box was challenged for by Symons, and he crossed low with his left-foot, only for it to hit a hand and divert into the side netting. After strong appeals, the referee pointed to the spot. Mills stepped forward, despite his miss last weekend at Winchester, and scored, to send Hereford into the next round.

A Cross From Mike Symons Appeared To Hit A Defenders Hand As It Went Into The Side Netting

John Mills Took The PenaltyAnd Made No Mistake



880 were in attendance in north Birmingham as Hereford sealed a late path through to the next round of the FA Cup. Hereford are next in action a week today, when they visit high flying Tiverton in a top of the table clash. The FA Cup draw takes place on Monday at midday where Hereford will find out their next round opponents.

Hereford: Harris, Oates, Parry, Green, Barker, Plummer, Purdie, Edge, Staley, Symons, Mills.

Subs: Horsell, Edwards, Willets, Sinclair, Huntbach.



Attendance 880