Hereford came from a goal-down to beat Leamington 2-1 at Edgar Street on Tuesday evening. A poor first half performance from Hereford saw them trail the visitors 1-0 at the break thanks to Jack Edwards' opener, but second half goals from a Harry White penalty and a great strike from super sub Jamie Bird saw them grab all three points.
With Ryan Green missing Saturday's game at Curzon Ashton to go to his wedding, he was on the bench this evening as Harvey Smith kept his place in a young defence. Leamington came into the game level on points with Hereford on the back of two wins and a draw on the opening day.
A couple of early free kicks for Hereford didn't develop into any opportunities, with Hereford's first chance of the game coming in the ninth minute. A quick break from Harry White following a period of defensive play saw him switch the ball quickly to Lance Smith on the right, but it was a poor cross by the former Evesham man.
Seconds later after winning back possession, Eliot Richards tried his luck with an ambitious shot from outside the area, forcing visiting keeper Tony Breeden to make a save low-down to his right.
A lovely ball into the box from left-back Danny Greenslade resulted in chances for Mike McGrath and Harvey Smith, but smart blocks from the Leamington defenders prevented the hosts from taking an early lead.
As the Brakes started to grow into the game, a neat corner in from the right fell nicely to Ahmed Obeng, but his shot was blocked.
The threat from Leamington continued and in the 20th minute they took the lead. As a corner was delivered into the box, Hereford keeper Martin Horsell missed the ball as he went to claim it and protested he was fouled, but Jack Edwards was waiting at the back-post to head the ball down across the line.
A break in play followed as Ahmed Obeng went down injured for the hosts for the second time in as many minutes. He was eventually replaced by Connor Taylor after slowly making his way back to the dugouts.
The Whites were looking vulnerable from corners, with another from the right being headed back across goal to James Male, but his half-volley was well over the crossbar.
Almost immediately after at the other end of the pitch, Keiran Thomas' cross towards Harry White was once again blocked, before two minutes later Lance Smith almost found himself through-on goal if not for the advancing keeper.
On the stroke of half time, Eliot Richards really should have equalised. As Thomas' corner was flicked onto the unmarked Richards, he managed to fire the ball out the ground from 8-yards.
Deep into first half stoppage time, a free kick from goalkeeper Tony Breeden caught Hereford's defence off-guard, with Martin Horsell reacting quickly to deny Matt Stenson.
HT: Hereford 0 - Leamington 1
After a less than convincing first half from Hereford where the centre-back pairing were caught out on more than one occasion, the second half didn't start any better.
A number of early corners threatened a shaky Hereford defence, with Martin Horsell saving the day on more than one occasion, but it was Hereford who were next to find the back of the net.
Eliot Richards' cross into the box seemed to be handled by former Bull James Bowen, but as the ball fell to Lance Smith, his shot was blocked by another hand and the referee pointed to the spot. Harry White stepped up and didn't disappoint an expectant Meadow End, smashing the ball into the roof of Tony Breeden's net to bring the score back level.
But from the restart Leamington came close to retaking the lead as Matt Stenson's looping effort struck the post.
Stenson was once again in the thick of the action after a coming together with Hereford's captain Jordan Liburd. Both were given a lecture from referee Scott Jackson but no cards were shown.
Chances became few and far between for both sides, but in the 72nd minute there was a great chance for Harry White to grab his second. Danny Greenslade made progress down the left and did well to beat his man before crossing the ball to White at the far-post, but his header took a deflection before going wide.
Lance Smith had one final chance before being replaced by Jamie Bird and came agonisingly close to the winner. After being played through by Eliot Richards, Smith did well to beat his man as he burst towards goal, but his shot let him down as it went wide.
The introduction of Jamie Bird was once again the turning point of the game as with his first touch of the game he threatened the keeper. With one of his usual vicious shots from outside the area, it forced Tony Breedon into diving to his left to deny the Welshman.
But it was 20-year-old Bird who snatched the win five minutes from time, making the most of a goalkeeping error. As Breedon rushed off his line to catch a cross, he completely missed the ball and left it open for Jamie Bird. Determined to get a clean-connection, Bird managed to do that and fire the ball home.
The final chance of the game fell for the Brakes after substitute Keyon Reffell was penalised for a foul on Anthony Dwyer. With everyone up including the keeper, Jamie Hood's volley at the back-post cleared the bar.
FT: Hereford 2 - Leamington 1
Att: 2,781 (66 away)
Sponsors' MotM: Keiran Thomas
Lance Smith had one final chance before being replaced by Jamie Bird and came agonisingly close to the winner. After being played through by Eliot Richards, Smith did well to beat his man as he burst towards goal, but his shot let him down as it went wide.
The introduction of Jamie Bird was once again the turning point of the game as with his first touch of the game he threatened the keeper. With one of his usual vicious shots from outside the area, it forced Tony Breedon into diving to his left to deny the Welshman.
But it was 20-year-old Bird who snatched the win five minutes from time, making the most of a goalkeeping error. As Breedon rushed off his line to catch a cross, he completely missed the ball and left it open for Jamie Bird. Determined to get a clean-connection, Bird managed to do that and fire the ball home.
The final chance of the game fell for the Brakes after substitute Keyon Reffell was penalised for a foul on Anthony Dwyer. With everyone up including the keeper, Jamie Hood's volley at the back-post cleared the bar.
FT: Hereford 2 - Leamington 1
Att: 2,781 (66 away)
Sponsors' MotM: Keiran Thomas
Hereford: Horsell, Thomas, Greenslade, Murphy, H. Smith, Liburd (C), L. Smith (Bird - 79'), Richards, White, McGrath, Hall (Reffell - 73').
Subs not used: Dinsley, Green, Mayebi.
Leamington: Breeden (C), English, Bowen (Gudger - 68'), Magunda, Hood, Male, Dunbar, Clarke, Stenson (Dwyer - 68'), Edwards, Obeng (Taylor - 29').
Subs not used: Steele, Morris.
Next Game: Chorley Away on Saturday 18th August at 3pm
Next Game: Chorley Away on Saturday 18th August at 3pm