Slough Town were the visitors at Edgar Street on Saturday afternoon, and as one of the favourites to win the league, would prove a stern test for Pete Beadle’s side. Ryan Green returned to the heart of defence earlier than expected after Jack Deaman was ruled out with an ankle injury, and in midfield, Mike McGrath started alongside Calvin Dinsley as Keyon Reffell was unavailable due to a prior engagement.
In the fifth minute, Hereford had their first chance of the afternoon as they attacked the Meadow End. A corner was taken short to Jamie Molyneux, who created enough space to whip in a cross. Despite Slough’s defence beating Mark Preece to the ball, the clearance only reached Pablo Haysham on the edge of the box, but his volley went wide.
Jamie Molyneux then linked up well with Jimmy Oates down the right wing eight minutes later. As the pair opened up Slough's defence, Molyneux crossed the ball in to Mike McGrath, but his shot on the turn sailed over the crossbar.
The visitors were forced into making a change midway through the first half, Nathan Webb picked up an injury and Simon Dunn replaced him in midfield.
With 26 minutes on the clock, a foul by Ryan Green on the left wing resulted in a free kick in a dangerous position for Hereford to deal with. But after the ball was crossed in, Martin Horsell was able to punch the ball away before the hosts cleared the danger.
12 minutes from the break, a great solo effort by John Mills down the left saw him hit the crossbar with a right-footed effort from a tight angle.
Less than a minute later, a chance then fell for Mike McGrath, but his low drive was blocked by Rebels skipper Mark Nisbet.
The Bulls the found themselves on the back foot after conceding a poor goal on the stroke of half time. Mike McGrath couldn’t beat the wall with a free kick from 25-yards, and Slough worked quickly to breakaway towards goal.
Martin Horsell fumbled an initial shot from Chris Flood, leaving Lee Togwell with the easy task of slotting the ball home with the right foot.
HT: Hereford 0 - Slough Town 1
At the start of the second half, Slough had a great chance to double their advantage, but James Dobson sliced his effort wide from 25-yards.
Visiting keeper Jack Turner was called into action for the first time eight minutes after the restart. Pablo Haysham chased down a long ball, quickly crossing in to Jamie Molyneux, but his headed effort proved an easy save for Turner.
During a frustrating second half, Hereford were limited in their chances as a number of hopeful long balls failed to find a white shirt. Still trailing 1-0, the Bulls were reduced to ten men in the 62nd minute.
Mike Symons was shown a straight red following a tussle with Guy Hollis, after appearing to raise his arm.
A pair of Pablo Haysham free kicks in the minutes after the sending off failed to test the keeper, with both chances sailing into his arms.
In the 80th minute, Matthew Lench saw red for the Rebels, following a second bookable offence on James Bowen.
Chances remained few and far between for Hereford, with Slough sitting deep hoping to see the game out as 1-0 winners. In the dying stages of the game, a chance for John Mills was blocked, with Jamie Molyneux unable to make anything from the rebound.
Josh Jackman’s scuffed clearance then fell perfectly for Pablo Haysham, but his shot from the left of the box was blocked, with a handball claim waived away by referee Richard Gardner.
The last chance of the afternoon fell to Slough as they easily carved open Hereford's defence. Simon Dunn was left with just the keeper left to beat, but the sprawling Horsell pulled off a save to prevent the Rebels from adding a second.
FT: Hereford 0 - Slough Town 1
Att: 2,644 with 101 from Slough
Sponsors’ MotM: James Bowen
Hereford: Horsell, Oates (c), Bowen (Preen – 86’), Dinsley (Edge – 71’), Green, Preece, Molyneux, McGrath, Mills, Haysham, Symons.
Subs not used: Franklin, Williams, Harris.
Slough Town: Turner, Jackman, Wells, Hollis, Nisbet (c), Togwell, Dobson (Harris – 76’), Webb (Dunn – 23’), Williams (Wadkins – 69’), Flood, Lench.
Subs not used: Fraser, Smart.
Next Game: St. Neots Town Away on Saturday 26th August at 3pm