With Hereford being drawn away at Gosport in the FA Cup BN looks back to the last time Hereford played at Gosport.
Tuesday, March 06, 2018
Stroll in the Port for Hereford
Following the cold snap and Saturday’s postponed trip to Hitchin, Peter Beadle had a relatively fit squad to choose from and opted to start Billy Murphy in midfield, alongside Pablo Haysham. John Mills had to be content with a place on the bench once again as he slowly eases himself back to fitness following his knee injury. The hosts named Rowan Vine, the former Luton and Portsmouth striker, in their starting eleven.
The visitors didn’t take long to find their feet on a huge and relatively decent playing surface; Symons outjumped the ‘keeper to meet a Haysham cross but looped it over the bar. The ‘Beast’ though wasn’t to be denied with his second attempt. Murphy collected the ball on the inside right position, taking a touch to get the ball out of his feet before lofting a ball into the box with his left where Symons eased his marker out of the way before flicking a header into the corner to hand Hereford the lead.
Further chances followed with James Bowen making good progress on the left with a determined run and a firm ball across the box found Reffell but his first-time shot was blocked by the ‘keeper’s legs. Martyn Horsell was having a peaceful night although he had to be on his toes when the hosts Craig McAllister twisted past Ryan Green in the box but his shot weak and Horsell held. Pablo Haysham’s excellent 30 yard free-kick looked to be heading for the top corner before a stunning save from Patrick O’Flaherty denied him. Moments later, Murphy’s curled strike from a standing start fell a foot past the post. Another free-kick was taken, this time by Myrie-Williams, in a similar position to Hayshams, but this time was off-target. Elliot Richards stung the palms of the goalie with a rasping drive before Symons was flagged offside on the follow-up, whilst the ‘Beast’ thought he should have had a penalty when he was dragged down on the edge of the box but the referee deemed it a free-kick. Richards took the resulting set-piece but was off-target.
The hosts rarely threatened and when they did it was down to Hereford’s lapse in concentration. Horsell’s early second-half clearance fell to the feet of McAllister but his first-time shot was off-target, with Horsell well out of his goal. That chance fell in the second minute of the second-half, and following that, Hereford dominated proceedings, keeping possession well and creating a host of chances. Reffell was providing good width for the Bulls and he collected the ball on the right before cutting in, hitting a left-foot shot just over the bar from an acute angle. Reffell was involved soon after, cutting back for Haysham on the edge of the box but his shot through a crowd of players was blocked.
Richards was then denied a goal, following a superbly threaded pass from Murphy but the former Merthyr man, despite showing good feet inside the box, saw his effort pushed away by the ‘keeper. Haysham’s dazzling feet on the left byline allowed him to get past the right-back but his cut-back was diverted off target by Symons from a couple of yards out, under immense pressure from his marker. Murphy then tried his luck from 25 yards with a powerful left-foot shot which the ‘keeper fumbled, but did enough to divert it behind the post.
The pressure though eventually became too much for Gosport and they succumbed to a second goal, through Myrie-Williams. It all came from a poor free-kick by the home goalie; Reffell headed into the path of Symons, who held up and turned on the half-way line, before sending Myrie-Williams racing clear. The former Bristol City youngster showed good composure to steady himself before sliding a shot into the corner past the helpless O’Flaherty.
Jimmy Oates’ nice inter-change with Haysham allowed the captain to fire goalwards but a defensive block deflected it over. Richards was then denied after a powerful shot from the left side of the box, following Bowen’s industrious running.
The game was put beyond doubt by young Irishman O’Shea with a crisp strike. A quick corner eventually found Haysham on the edge of the box; his attempt to beat the defender was blocked but the ball broke to O’Shea from 20 yards, who struck first-time into the bottom corner with the ‘keeper rooted to his spot.
Hereford made it four minutes later when Bowen showed good pace on the left, dinking a cross to Symons and his deft header dropped into the far corner from six yards.
Hereford introduced Mills, Jamie Bird and Cameron Pring late on, replacing Haysham, Myrie-Williams and Symons respectively, and it didn’t take long for Mills to test O’Flaherty. A counter-attack allowed Bird to burst forward and he slid in Mills on the right. The leading marksman chopped inside his marker and sent a left-foot shot towards the far corner but the ‘keeper denied him with an outstretched leg.
Gosport are rooted to the bottom of the Southern League and the gulf in class was evident on the evening. Hereford could have, and should have, won by three or four more, but it was a pleasing performance. There was some good build-up play, especially down both wings as Hereford dominated possession. It was a strong performance all round, with all players playing their part in a resounding win. In particular, Haysham was at his creative best, whilst both Bowen and Reffell caused trouble for the hosts with their direct running and close control. Up next for Hereford is the visit of Kings Lynn on Saturday; the Bulls will be looking to gain revenge on Kings Lynn for ending the 53 game unbeaten away league run in January.
Hereford: Horsell, Oates, O’Shea, Green, Bowen, Reffell, Richards, Murphy, Haysham (Bird), Myrie-Williams (Mills), Symons (Pring).
Subs not used: Puddy, Deaman.
Gosport: O’Flaherty, Wakley, Medway, Ten-Grotenhuis, Flooks, Warren, Lea, Brooks, McAllister, Pennery, Vine.
Subs: Bombelenga, Smith, Sanders, Mayes, Watts.
Attendance: 539
Goals Scored: Symons (2), Myrie-Williams, O’Shea.