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Saturday, March 27, 2021

REPORT | Hereford bag another Wembley date after reaching FA Trophy Final

Hereford FC are off to Wembley again after beating Woking 1-0 this afternoon in the FA Trophy semi final.

Joey Butlin got the all important goal, perfectly meeting Michael Bakare's cross to head home in the 21st minute.

The Bulls had plenty of other chances to increase their lead, while Woking's main threat was from set pieces.

Hereford United never reached the FA Trophy having lost two semi-finals, while Hereford FC of course got to the FA Vase Final in 2016.

The Bulls will meet Hornchurch in the final on May 22 after the Isthmian League side dramatically beat Notts County 5-4 on penalties after the match had finished 3-3 in normal time. The Government has said fans can return to stadiums after May 17, but how many will be allowed to attend the final is very much up for debate.

Hereford - who hadn't played for a month after beating Aldershot in the previous round - were unchanged and went into the game on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run. There was talk that Lewis Butroid had returned to his parent club, Scunthorpe, but he was in Josh Gowing's starting line up. Meanwhile, new signing Maziar Kouhyar, who is an Afghanistan international who previously played for Walsall, was on the bench. 

The home side started well, although it was Woking who had the first chance in the 12th minute when Moussa Diarra headed over. Shortly afterwards, Chris Camwell shot wide for Hereford. Diarra was also in action at the other end of the pitch in the 15th minute when he had to make a vital clearance after Bakare had opened up the Woking defence. And then Diarra was at it again, this time thwarting Tom Owen-Evans from getting through on goal after good work from Butroid.

Nevertheless, Hereford did go ahead shortly afterwards. From the left-hand side, Bakare pinged over an excellent cross for Butlin to guide home.

By that stage, Woking didn't really create anything of note, but Brandon Hall had to be alert to save a Sam Ashford shot in the 29th minute before a loose ball almost found a Cards player nine minutes later. While at the other end, Craig Ross denied Bakare three minutes before half time.

Into the second half and Hereford had a good opportunity to go 2-0 up in the 51st minute, However, Jamie Grimes' header was punched over the bar by Ross. Seven minutes later, Woking had the ball in the back of the net through an Ashford header, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The Bulls also had a goal disallowed in the 62nd minute before there was a glut of chances for Gowling's side.

Bakare, Butroid, Tom Owen-Evans and Kyle Finn all had efforts at goal as the home side searched for the elusive second goal that probably would have sealed the tie. Camwell also saw a free kick go narrowly wide, while for Woking, Josh Casey saw a header flash past the post.

Woking made three changes during the second half in an attempt to get back into the match, but were still unable to create many opportunities. And it was Hereford who should have sealed the match seven minutes from time when Butlin was clean through on goal. However, a very poor first touch let him down and the chance was gone.

A total of five minutes were added on by the referee, but in the end, seven was played after Owen-Evans clutched his head following a heavy challenge and Hereford brought on Yan Klukowski. 

Diarra did have a 'half chance' late on but was unable to connect with the ball, and Woking's chance had gone. The whistle blew, leading to wild celebrations from the Hereford players and staff.

Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Haines, Grimes, Camwell (Pollock 84), Butlin (Kouhyar 87), Owen-Evans, Finn (Klukowski 90+3), Lloyd, Bakare, Butroid. Subs not used: White, Digie, McQuilkin, Rowe.

Woking: Ross, Casey, Cooper, Gerring, Diarra, Ferdinand, Kretzschmar, Lofthouse, Ashford (Smith 70), Loza (Napa 70), Dalby (Muir 82). Subs not used: Cook, Jarvis, Block.  

You can re-live our live blog of the game here.