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Saturday, February 08, 2020

Mooney strikes twice as Bulls snatch dramatic draw


Two late goals from substitute Kelsey Mooney saw Hereford snatch an unlikely draw at home to Southport this afternoon.

Mooney - who had only been on the pitch for nine minutes - scored in the final minute before striking again five minutes into stoppage time as 10-man Hereford came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

It looked the Bulls were on course for a disappointing defeat when Jack Sampson made it 2-0 to the away side in the 86th minute after George Newell had opened the scoring shortly before half time.

And Jordan Cullinane-Liburd was sent off for the Bulls in the 83rd minute after allegedly stamping on Sampson.

Interim manager, Josh Gowling, made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Alfreton last week. New signing Lenell John-Lewis and returnee Brad Ash both started, while Brandon Hall was back in goal. 

The game was only two minutes old when Hereford's Kyle Finn and Southport's Zehn Mohammed needed treatment following a clash of heads. Finn needed a number of staples following a nasty cut, while Mohammed also sent to hospital as a precaution. It was reported afterwards that both players were ok.



Southport did put the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute, but Sampson's effort was disallowed for offside.

The away side were well in control in the opening 20 minutes and Jason Pope had to clear the ball behind for a corner following a dangerous cross from Charles Oliver.

It wasn't until the 25th minute until Hereford properly threatened the Southport goal, but Tommy O'Sullivan's shot went just wide.

At the other end, David Morgan shot over while Reagan Ogle was denied by a great defensive block after Hall saved from George Newell.

But Newell did put Southport ahead shortly before half time thanks to a fine low drive that went in off the post.



Hereford started the second half much brighter and Alex Bray saw an effort go just over. Cullinane-Liburd then headed against the post, but the flag was raised for offside. And Jevan Anderson head a header saved by former Hereford United goalkeeper, Dan Hanford.

But the Bulls' hopes of getting back into the game took a hit when Cullinane-Liburd was given his marching orders for violent conduct.


A fine team move led to Sampson slotting home to seemingly sealing the win for Southport. 


And even when Mooney reduced the deficit, it looked like it would just be a consolation. 






But after Southport gave away a needless corner with the allotted amount of stoppage time up, Mooney was on hand again to grab a very unlikely point.






Overall, Hereford will of course be pleased that they got out of jail, and for the second consecutive home game showed a lot of grit and desire to get something out of the match. But they cannot keep putting themselves in this position, and unless Gowling's team start picking up wins, there will still be fears that they will start edging closer to the relegation zone.

Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Pope, Jagger Cane, Anderson, Cullinane-Liburd, Finn (Bray 9), Owen-Evans, John-Lewis, O'Sullivan (Mooney 81), Ash (Liburd (66). 
Subs not used: Riley, Thomas.

Southport: Hanford, Mohammed (Woods 8; Parry 90), Doyle, Winnard, Astles, Morgan, Benjamin, Oliver, Newell (Dunn 82), Sampson, Ogle. 
Subs not used: Bauress, Albinson.

Attendance: 1,712 (47 away fans).