Hereford made it four games without defeat this afternoon as they beat Billericay Town 2-1 in the first round of the FA Trophy. Despite going a goal down in the fourth minute, a Tom Owen-Evans penalty before half time and a second half goal from George Lloyd saw Hereford progress.
There was the one change to the side who started the game a fortnight ago against Alfreton, with Tommy O'Sullivan dropping to the bench as recent signing James Wesolowski was handed his first start, but it did mean no place in the team for Ryan Green.
Ahead of the game Hereford wouldn't really have known what to expect with several players leaving as the club aims to go full time.
Hereford had an early chance as Cheltenham Town loanee George Lloyd was sent on his way down the right by Mike Symons, but his shot from 18-yards went wide at the far-post with just the keeper left to beat.
Despite the bright start from Lloyd in particular, Hereford's inability to defend set pieces saw them go a goal down with four minutes on the clock.
As it appeared Billericay's Joseph Kizzi headed the ball away from goal, Hereford failed to clear. With the ball falling for Alfie Potter struck 20-yards out, his effort took a deflection but Ross Lafayette lifted the ball over Bulls stopper Matt Yates to open the scoring.
As it appeared Billericay's Joseph Kizzi headed the ball away from goal, Hereford failed to clear. With the ball falling for Alfie Potter struck 20-yards out, his effort took a deflection but Ross Lafayette lifted the ball over Bulls stopper Matt Yates to open the scoring.
 |
Jordan Cullinane-Liburd was unlucky not to level the score nine minutes later. After debutant James Wesolosi won a corner for the Bulls, Cullinane-Liburd headed the delivery down towards the bottom right-hand corner of the net, but Moses Emmanel was well-placed to clear off the line.
Just 15 minutes into his debut, Wesolowski pulled up with an injury and Marc Richards was forced into making an early change as Tommy O'Sullivan came off the bench.
Having just had an effort saved off the line, the Whites were then denied by the woodwork as the searched for an equaliser. Tom Owen-Evans saw his shot blocked, but the rebound fell nicely for George Lloyd on the edge of the box, but his low drive struck the foot of the post before cleared.
Hereford had a number of half chances then that never really tested the keeper but weren't deterred by them. Their perseverance paid off in the 37th minute with Tom Owen-Evans levelling from the penalty spot.
The former Newport County man was bundled over in the box after Mike Symons headed down Keiran Thomas' cross, but he stepped up and duly dispatched the ball to pull Hereford back level.
The goal came just at the right time for Hereford and they continued to put plenty of pressure on 'Ricay and deservedly were level with the visitors at half time.
HT: Hereford 1 - Billericay Town 1
With rain lashing down at Edgar Street at the start of the second half, play was slow to get going after the restart. The first real chance of the half saw Billericay go close to retaking the lead, but Moses Emmanuel headed wide after getting on the end of a good cross from Callum Kennedy.
At the other end of the field a free kick for Hereford resulted in George Lloyd's effort being blocked. Tom Owen-Evans was fouled by Danny Waldren as he broke down the left flank, with the 'Ricay midfielder picking up a yellow for his troubles. Owen-Evans then floated the free kick into the box with Lloyd's low shot blocked in a congested area.
 |
| Jordan Cullinane-Liburd Trys To Connect With A Loose Ball |
Captain Harvey Smith had the ball put behind by the keeper, with Jordan Cullinane-Liburd's header from the following corner punched clear.
In the 70th minute some good play down the left from Tom Owen-Evans saw him twist and turn his way into the box before laying the ball off to Tommy O'Sullivan. O'Sullivan then played the ball back to George Lloyd, but his low shot was once again blocked in the crowded box.
12 minutes later Hereford took the lead as George Lloyd grabbed his third goal in a white shirt. Mike Symons did what he does best in holding the ball up for Tommy O'Sullivan. The substitute then played a cross across the face of goal and Lloyd fired home to send the home side into raptures.
With the game entering the closing stages, a free kick for the visitors saw Callum Kennedy's delivery headed towards the target by Danny Waldren but Matt Yates is able to get his fingertips to the ball to deny him a goal.
FT: Hereford 2 - Billericay Town 1
Sponsors man of the match: Mike Symons
FT: Hereford 2 - Billericay Town 1
Sponsors man of the match: Mike Symons
Hereford: Yates, Thomas, Greenslade, Wesolowski (O’Sullivan - 16'), Cullinane-Liburd, H. Smith (c), Dinsley, Owen-Evans, Finn (Roberts - 67'), Lloyd, Symons.
Subs not used: Gowling, Dielna, Horsell.
Billericay Town: Julian, Jizzi, Kennedy, Waldren, Rooney, Deering (c) (Clifford - 75'), Lafayette (Hunte - 64'), Howells, Emmanuel, Potter, Aransibia.
Subs not used: Gordon-Stearn, Jahraldo-Martin, Shokunbi.