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Saturday, November 21, 2020

John-Lewis rescues point in dramatic finish

Lenell John-Lewis scored a dramatic goal as Hereford claimed a dramatic 2-2 draw at home to Chorley.

'The Shop' netted in the 89th minute just as it looked like Chorley were going to go home with the three points. Hereford led 1-0 with six minutes remaining but two goals in the space of three minutes saw Chorley amazingly turn the game around in their favour.

Jared Hodgkiss' deflected shot had earlier put Hereford ahead in the 59th minute, while Chorley also hit the post. The draw means the Bulls pick up their first home point of the season following two defeats.

Hereford manager Josh Gowling made one change to the team that lost to Gloucester in midweek, with Giles Coke replacing the injured Yan Klukowski. There was also a welcome return to the substitutes bench for Demetri Brown following a long injury lay off.

Meanwhile, Harvey Smith - who was previously on loan at Hereford from Bristol City - lined up for Chorley.

Hereford forced a free-kick in the fourth minute, but James McQuilkin's set piece failed to find Kelsey Mooney. The ball was eventually squared to Dan Jones, who fired over.

Chorley - who had two players booked in the opening five minutes - then saw a shot by Ollie Shenton deflect behind for a corner.

At the other hand, Tom Owen-Evans warmed the hands of Chorley goalkeeper Matt Urwin with a shot, while Mike Calveley headed over for the away side.

McQuilkin had a shot saved in the 23rd minute before the Bulls midfielder had a great chance to open the scoring on the stroke of half time. However, he blazed over when well placed.

Hereford also had a great chance in the 54th minute when Jamie Grimes headed straight at Urwin before the Bulls did take the lead five minutes later, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. Hodgkiss' shot took a huge deflection which deceived Urwin and went in the opposite direction.

Brown then came off the bench for a rare appearance in the 71st minute before Chorley had a couple of great opportunities to equalise, Arlen Birch saw his header strike the post while Lewis Reilly also went close.

However, Reilly did get on the scoresheet in the 84th minute when he headed home Birch's cross before Chorley unbelievably went ahead three minutes from time. After seeing his goal for Hereford deflect in off a Chorley player, Hodgkiss this time could only divert Andy Halls' low cross past White and gift the away team an unlikely lead.

However, in a mad finish to the game, Hereford were able to at least get something when John-Lewis headed home Dan Jones' cross.

Overall, Josh Gowling's side will be extremely disappointed that they did not pick up their first home win of the season as they were seemingly in control for most of the second half. In the end, at least they picked up a point and again John-Lewis showed his worth to the team. But the way the goals were conceded were poor and, at the other end, Hereford had plenty of chances to win the game comfortably, although Chorley did have opportunities themselves.

If Hereford want to be in the promotion mix this season, they have to take their chances and kill teams off, otherwise there will be more games where they will be going home disappointed. They have another home game next Saturday when they entertain Kettering, a match in which anything other than three points will be demoralising

Hereford: White, Hodgkiss, Grimes, Coke, Owen-Evans (Finn 80), Digie, John-Lewis, McQuilkin (Nabi 76), Lloyd, D Jones, Mooney (Brown 71). Subs not used: Camwell, Whittingham.