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Next Game: Buxton At Home On Monday April 1st Kick-Off 3.00pm

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Bulls still winless at home after failing to beat 10-man Kettering

Hereford have still to win at home this season after being held 3-3 in a bonkers National League North encounter with struggling Kettering.

The Bulls were in total control at the break, with Kelsey Mooney's 34th minute goal putting them 1-0 up.

But poor defending led to Callum Powell equalising for Kettering within a minute of the second half and the same player rifled home a second goal just eight minutes later.

Nevertheless, back came Hereford and Jared Hodgkiss smashed home a fine goal in the 57th minute to make it 2-2.

But there was still more goals to come, with Kettering going 3-2 up with a fantastic Ryan Fryatt strike in the 62nd minute.

However, Hereford were given a man advantage in the 71st minute when former Bulls player Mike McGrath was dismissed. McGrath was already on a yellow card but it is understood that he may have said something to the referee. McGrath was not happy as he left the pitch and squared up to Bulls manager Josh Gowling.

Hereford were then awarded a penalty nine minutes from time when Luke Graham, who used to play for Hereford United, upended Lenell John-Lewis and the Bulls striker stepped up to slot the ball home.

Hereford manager Josh Gowling made one change to the side that drew with Chorley last week, with Kyle Finn replacing the suspended Tom Owen-Evans.

The Bulls had an early chance in the fourth minute when Mooney shot just wide before McGrath blocked a Finn effort.

Hereford dominated the first half, with Kettering clearly content to soak up the pressure. Jamie Grimes had a header palmed away in the 23rd minute before the Bulls took the lead. A poor header by Fryatt failed to reach Kettering goalkeeper Adam Collin and Mooney lofted the ball home.

Gowling's side could have gone in at half time with a healthier lead, but Mooney had a shot tipped behind before John-Lewis headed straight at Collin.

Those misses proved costly as Kettering unbelievably levelled  shortly after the break. A long throw was headed on, leaving Powell with acres of space to fire home. Yet again, Hereford's defensive lapses let them down and the away side went 2-1 up in the 54th minute. Again Powell was the scoring, with his shot going in off the a post.

The second half was certainly more frantic than the first and Hereford levelled the game up just three minutes later; Hodgkiss smashing the ball home for his second goal of the season.

Powell then received a yellow card on the hour mark before Kettering went 3-2 up two minutes later. It was a fantastic strike from Fryatt, although the clearance that found him was poor.

In the 71st minute, McGrath fouled Finn and must have said something to the referee, leading him to be dismissed. The central midfielder was clearly irked and got into Gowling's face as he left the field of play.

Substitute Chris Camwell was denied for Hereford before Graham brought down John-Lewis and a penalty awarded. John-Lewis was the saviour last week and he once again stood up to the plate, calmly slotting home the spot kick to make it 3-3.

With five minutes remaining, Grimes headed straight at Collin but Hereford were unable to create anything else as they searched for a dramatic winner and had to settle for a point. You have to again praise the players' character to come from behind and get something from the game and at least they are creating chances and taking some of them. But some of the goals Hereford have conceded this season have been shocking and Gowling needs to eradicate that quickly, otherwise better teams than Kettering will hammer them. The Bulls now have a run of three successive away games, which sounds daunting on paper. But strangely, Hereford have been much better on the road and have yet to conceded, whereas it's now eight goals shipped in four games at home.

Hereford: White, Hodgkiss, Grimes, Coke (Camwell 72) Finn (Brown 86), Digie, John-Lewis, McQuilkin (Whittingham 82), Lloyd, D Jones, Mooney. Subs not used: Nabi, Dylan Jones.