Brian reports from Edgar Street:
The game billed as “Match of the day” in the Southern Premier League failed to live up to the hype, though Hereford will be delighted in the way they brushed aside third placed Weymouth at Edgar Street this afternoon.
The Whites made two changes to the starting 11 with Cameron Pring making way for James Bowen and Jamie Bird for Edgar Street returnee Jennison Myrie-Williams.
With the sun shining brightly towards the Meadow End, Hereford swapped ends and made no delay in taking the game to The Terras. Hereford’s width proved a great outlet early on and crosses from Jimmy Oates and Keyon Reffell were dealt with, whilst Mike Symons had a shot blocked.
Bowen had a good half at left back, driving forwards regularly and delivering difficult crosses in to the box for the defence to deal with, not helped by the afternoon sun.
Pablo Haysham forced the first save of the game from the ‘keeper, though it was a tame effort straight down the middle on 20 minutes. Oates flicked a second delivery, after a poor corner, dangerously towards the back stick but nobody was able to meet it, before Myrie-Williams crossed towards Haysham who couldn’t connect from 10 yards.
On the half hour mark the leagues top scorer Brandon Goodship had his most notable moment of the game, picking up a yellow card for his third offence, clattering an opponent following a long ball forwards. Two minutes later, the much more effective Symons span in the box and forced the ‘keeper in a save, turning around the post.
Eliot Richards came closest in a dominant first half for the Bulls, his effort from the edge of the box was driven low just beyond the far post before Oates saw another effort deflected behind for yet another corner. Despite their supremacy, The Whites couldn’t capitalise before the break and so the two sides went in level, a score line the away side will no doubt have been pleased with!
Hereford started the second half in similar fashion and 5 minutes in Myrie-Williams was down in the box for a third time of the afternoon but his claims for a penalty were once again waved away.
The debutant soon made an impact however and what an impact it was. The Bulls built another attack on the right, the ball made its way to Myrie-Williams who looked up, 25 yards from goal, before rifling a left footed thunder-bolt in to the back of the net, via the crossbar, which is probably still staking at the Blackfriars End! 1-0 to The Whites!
Hereford didn’t hold back and almost had a second 5 minutes later; the best attacking move of the game involving Oates, Purdie and Symons who held the ball up in the box and layed it on to Heysham, who curled his shot narrowly wide.
Weymouth were not able to withstand the pressure for much longer and on 68 minutes the lead was doubled. Myrie-Williams again went down in the box, this time looking more like a justifiable claim, but the Bulls retained possession and won a free kick on the left for a foul on Bowen. The ball was crossed and fell eventually to Heysham, who manoeuvred the ball to the left of the box where Reffell drilled a low shot through a defenders legs and in to the back of the net, via the ‘keepers fingertips. 2-0!
Weymouth were not able to withstand the pressure for much longer and on 68 minutes the lead was doubled. Myrie-Williams again went down in the box, this time looking more like a justifiable claim, but the Bulls retained possession and won a free kick on the left for a foul on Bowen. The ball was crossed and fell eventually to Heysham, who manoeuvred the ball to the left of the box where Reffell drilled a low shot through a defenders legs and in to the back of the net, via the ‘keepers fingertips. 2-0!
With about 15 minutes remaining, Peter Beadle made two changes, bringing Myrie-Williams and Haysham off for Billy Murphy and the returning John Mills.
This may seem a one-sided report so far and, if it does, it is a fair reflection of the game! It took until 83 minutes for Weymouth to register a shot which was dragged harmlessly wide by Goodship in his last act of the game before being replaced.
Martin Horsell had a very quiet afternoon in goal (not having to make a save), but faced the biggest threat in the 89th minute as Weymouth were awarded a free kick 20 yards out. The wall did its job and the free kick from Lewis Harvey deflected off Rob Purdie and went behind for a corner, which again was easily dealt with.
The free kick was given away by Dara O’Shea, his only mistake in what was an otherwise immaculate performance by the young West-Brom loanee. He, and Ryan Green, more than dealt with the threat of the league’s top scorer and O’Shea portrayed calmness throughout as well as impressing when in possession. A man of the match performance from the young Irishman.
A quick note for Mills, who almost raced clear in the last minute before attempting his classic “chop” but seemed to be held off by his marker when attempting to run beyond him; we’ll put it down to a little lack of match fitness.
A final mention for the away supporters in a crowd of 2,767, there looked to be about 100 or so of them, however they didn’t make a peep all game and probably wish they hadn’t bothered!
A hard-working and professional performance, though by no-means a classic, from Hereford today but the 2-0 result against third-placed opposition has to be seen as a very good one. Particularly as Kings Lynn (2nd) and Kettering Town (4th) lost, meaning Hereford are top of the tree by 7 points, still with two games in hand!
We’re on our way....!
FT: Hereford 2 Weymouth 0
This may seem a one-sided report so far and, if it does, it is a fair reflection of the game! It took until 83 minutes for Weymouth to register a shot which was dragged harmlessly wide by Goodship in his last act of the game before being replaced.
Martin Horsell had a very quiet afternoon in goal (not having to make a save), but faced the biggest threat in the 89th minute as Weymouth were awarded a free kick 20 yards out. The wall did its job and the free kick from Lewis Harvey deflected off Rob Purdie and went behind for a corner, which again was easily dealt with.
The free kick was given away by Dara O’Shea, his only mistake in what was an otherwise immaculate performance by the young West-Brom loanee. He, and Ryan Green, more than dealt with the threat of the league’s top scorer and O’Shea portrayed calmness throughout as well as impressing when in possession. A man of the match performance from the young Irishman.
A quick note for Mills, who almost raced clear in the last minute before attempting his classic “chop” but seemed to be held off by his marker when attempting to run beyond him; we’ll put it down to a little lack of match fitness.
A final mention for the away supporters in a crowd of 2,767, there looked to be about 100 or so of them, however they didn’t make a peep all game and probably wish they hadn’t bothered!
A hard-working and professional performance, though by no-means a classic, from Hereford today but the 2-0 result against third-placed opposition has to be seen as a very good one. Particularly as Kings Lynn (2nd) and Kettering Town (4th) lost, meaning Hereford are top of the tree by 7 points, still with two games in hand!
We’re on our way....!
FT: Hereford 2 Weymouth 0
Hereford: Horsell, Oates, O'Shea, Green, Bowen, Richards, Purdie, Reffell, Haysham, Myrie-Williams, Symons.
Subs: Bird, Mills, Deaman, Murphy, Puddy.
Sponsors Man of the Match: James Bowen.