Eastleigh 1 – Hereford 2

For Hereford’s first game in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round since reforming, three changes were made to the side that beat Banbury midweek.

Mike Symons, Calvin Dinsley and Garyn Preen came back into the side at the expense of Lance Smith, Rob Purdie and Adam Page.

Pete Beadle’s men started the tie looking bright, and within the opening two minutes of the game called the keeper into action. Some good work by John Mills and Garyn Preen on the left wing saw an eventual cross into the box, but Ross Flitney was quick to react and punched clear.

Seconds later, a foul 30-yards out led to a free kick for the visitors, but the Bulls failed to make the most of the chance.

In the fifth minute, Eastleigh should’ve done better to open the scoring. An initial shot was parried by Martin Horsell, and then a follow up shot was blocked, much to the relief of the travelling support.

The Bulls were forced into making an early substitution after Calvin Dinsley pulled up with a possible calf-strain. He was replaced in midfield by Rob Purdie.

Another free kick in the 14th minute saw Hereford take the lead. Mike McGrath’s 30-yard effort took a deflection off the wall, and it was enough to deceive the keeper as the ball nestled in the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

Eastleigh then went close with a couple of set pieces, an initial free kick from 25-yards was handled by Garyn Preen, with the second going behind for a fruitless corner.

Sam Wood was next to try his luck, but after carving out a shot, fired well over the target.

After conceding early, things went from bad to worse for the Spitfires as they were reduced to ten-men with 32 minutes on the clock. A long ball forward from the back was well-controlled by John Mills, before he played the ball out wide for Symons. The 31-year old found pace from somewhere, getting onto the end of the ball before being scythed down from behind by the last man. Andrew Boyce was subsequently given his marching orders by referee Carl Brook.

The resulting free kick on the edge of the area was anti-climatic as Mills blazed his shot well over.

Five minutes from the break, Mike Symons was perfectly positioned to make it two. Keyon Reffell picked out the unmarked Symons within the penalty area, but he failed to control his shot as it sailed over.

Hereford continued to create chances, with their second goal of the afternoon sending the side into raptures.

Some superb work from Keyon Reffell on the right flank saw him skip past his marker, before playing a low cross into the box. The ball worked its way to Garyn Preen on the opposite side, and with a twist and turn he round the keeper and fired home.

The second goal was exactly what Hereford needed going into the break, and playing against ten-men, there was a definite confidence amongst the fans on the terrace at half time.

HT: Eastleigh 0 – Hereford 2

Buoyed on by a vocal travelling contingent, the Bulls looked to add to their goal tally after the break. In the 49th minute, John Mills was teed-up by Mike Symons, but the marksman saw his weak effort easily gathered by the keeper.

Garyn Preen was then left unconscious following a hefty challenge from right-back Gavin Hoyte. After hitting the ground, he was knocked out for a time before being stretchered off and taken to hospital. Thankfully, he’s now recovering well.

After the lengthy stoppage, Hereford appeared to lose some of their momentum. Eight minutes after play resumed, a free kick in a promising position failed to come to anything. Mike McGrath’s floated ball from the edge of the area couldn’t find a Hereford shirt as the ball went wide.

Eastleigh then looked like they may be able to forge their way back into the game as they reduced the deficit in the 78th minute. A corner was headed back across goal by Paul McCallum, with Callum Howe on hand with a downward header to beat Horsell.

Eastleigh’s goal put Hereford slightly on edge, especially with 14 minutes added time. The Bulls seemed happy to try and run the clock down, holding the ball up near the corner flags for long periods.

Despite this, they were still on the look out for a third goal. Substitute Adam Page forced the keeper into tipping his rasping effort over the

bar, before Reffell’s driven right-footed effort went wide at the far post.

In the 12th minute of added time, a second straight red card for the home side saw them down to nine men as they searched for the illusive equaliser. Gavin Hoyte was immediately dismissed by the referee after fouling Mike Symons.

In the remaining four minutes of the game, little in the way of action happened. The referee finally blew for full time, with Hereford elated that they’re in Monday night’s draw for the First Round Proper – 7pm on BBC2.

FT: Eastleigh 1 – Hereford 2

Att: 1,345

Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Bowen, Dinsley (Purdie – 11’), Green, Deaman, Preen (Page – 63’), McGrath, Mills (Haysham – 87’), Reffell, Symons.

Subs not used: Preston, O’Shea, Bird, M. Harris.

Eastleigh: Flitney, Hoyte, Green, Togwell (Constable – 46’), Wood, Yeates, Stevens, McAllister (McCallum – 73’), Boyce, Williamson (McSheffrey – 73’), Howe.

Subs not used: Cresswell, Zebroski, Obileye, Miley.

Next Game: Farnborough at Home on Tuesday 17th October at 7.45pm

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