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| Ryan Green's Header Hit The Bar |
Two goals in three minutes saw a team who had only picked up two points from six games snatch all three points on offer at Edgar Street this afternoon, and was probably one of the worst performances from Hereford to date.
Attacking a relatively vocal Meadow End in the first half, the Bulls survived some pressure from Ashton who weren't able to pull the trigger after some early possession. Hereford did appear slightly more attack minded in the opening exchanges, as Harry White played the ball through for Jamie Bird, but the young Welshman couldn't quite reach it.
With seven minutes on the clock, White had a chance of his own. Winger Jordan Lam cut in from the left to tee-up White, but the former Chester striker's shot cleared the bar.
Despite the early chances for Hereford, they were 2-0 down by the 20th minute thanks to two goals in three minutes. Ashton's first came from a fairly routine corner, Matthew Chadwick curled a corner in from the right, and as Matthew Regan found himself unmarked at the back post which made headed the ball home an easy task for the defender.
Chadwick then doubled the visitors' lead, he charged forward and beat Danny Greenslade before firing the ball low in the bottom corner of the net.
Hereford were quick to get back on the attack, but it was a case of a lot of effort without really testing the keeper. One of the best chances during the first half fell to Billy Murphy on the half hour mark, but he couldn't find the target. After Myrie-Williams was dispossessed in the box, the ball fell nicely for Murphy but his shot sailed over the target.
The first of only two shots on-target for the Bulls in the first half came from Harry White as he tried to make the most of a defensive error, but the keeper was too quick to react for White to really do anything with the chance.
Despite the amount of chances for Hereford, it wasn't a good performance against a side which Hereford should've been able to be leading comfortably at half time. ]
A chance for Ryan Green came before the break as he hit the the crossbar with a header from Billy Murphy's corner, and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd shot from the rebound was saved.
Supporters shared their thoughts at half time, with the word atrocious popping up more than once. It was probably the worst performance by Hereford to date when you really would expect them to beat Ashton, especially with the 'new manager effect'.
HT: Hereford 0 - Ashton United 2
Desperately in need of a better second half, in didn't seem to materialise. The only time Hereford had the ball in the box came when Danny Greenslade broke forward from his left-back position, but with a lack of support the attack broke down.
Three chances in quick succession saw Hereford under the cosh once again. Jak Hickman beat his man before forcing Martin Horsell into making a decent save to deny the number two.
The uninspiring performance continued, Myrie-Williams couldn't break down Ashton's defence after a driven run which was followed by a booking for captain Cullinane-Liburd for kicking the ball away.
Two changes saw Lewis Hall and Harvey Smith come on as Jordan Lam and Ryan Green made way, both struggling after picking up knocks during the second half.
But the substitutes didn't change much for Hereford, with Ashton still threatening to extend their lead. Goalscorer Matthew Regan played in Craig Hobson, but he was denied by Horsell.
The Bulls' stopper was kept busy with chances from Ashton, new signing Jordan Sangha was next after he connected well with a ball behind Hereford's defence.
Martin Horsell certainly earned his keep this afternoon as he kept out another goalworthy chance. After an all-too-easy break from Ashton, Casian Anghel's ball through to Craig Hobson saw his early shot denied with a diving save from the 31-year-old keeper.
All-in-all a poor game. The performance wasn't up to standard and admittedly the have been deteriorating recently but the last four games have been against tough sides - Ashton United have two points from their last six games.
Onto the FA Cup now.
FT: Hereford 0 - Ashton United 2
Att: 2,195 (26 away)
Sponsors' MotM: Keiran Thomas
Hereford: Horsell, Thomas, Greenslade, Murphy (L. Smith - 80'), Green (H. Smith - 61'), Cullinane-Liburd (c), Lam (Hall - 63'), McGrath, White, Bird, Marie-Williams.
Subs not used: Sainty, Mayebi.
Ashton United: Pilling, Hickman, Regan, Ashworth, Chalmers, Sheridan (Lees - 84'), Sangha, Sephton, Hobson, McHale (Jackson - 37'), Chadwick (Anghel - 70').
Subs not used: Evangelinos, Hill.
Next Game: FA Cup - Truro City at Home on Saturday 22nd September at 3pm