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Next Game: Pre-Season

Saturday, March 27, 2021

HOW IT HAPPENED | Hereford 1-0 Woking in FA Trophy Semi Final


Hereford FC reached Wembley for only the second time in five years when they beat Woking in the semi finals of the FA Trophy.

Below is how we told the story of an incredible day. 


TEAM NEWS

Hereford line up as follows for the game...

Hall, Hodgkiss, Haines, Grimes, Camwell, Butlin, Owen-Evans, Finn, Lloyd, Bakare, Butroid. Subs: White, Pollock, Digie, McQuilkin, Klukowski, Rowe, Kouhyar. 

One of the subs is Maziar Kouhyar, who is an Afghanistan international who played for Walsall between 2016 and 2021. However, the midfielder had a serious ACL injury which kept him sidelined for 18 months. And despite reports stating otherwise, Lewis Butroid hasn't been recalled by Scunthorpe and starts. 

Woking: Ross, Casey, Cooper, Gerring, Diarra, Ferdinand, Kretzschmar, Lofthouse, Ashford, Loza, Dalby. Subs: Cook, Smith, Jarvis, Muir, Napa, Block, Smith.

Hereford legends Rob Purdie and Steve Guinan are both at the game and have been interviewed by HFCTV. The build-up to the stream has started and can be purchased here

BUILD-UP 

Hereford have not played for a month due to National League North being declared null and void. However, the Bulls will be confident mood having beaten higher-graded Aldershot last time - Josh Gowling's side overcoming the Hampshire side on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Woking, who beat Torquay 1-0 in the last round, are in a bit of 'mixed form' going into today's game, winning two of their last six games. Last week, they lost 1-0 to Hartlepool but bounced back in midweek by seeing off Wealdstone by the same scoreline.

FIRST HALF UPDATES

4) Woking clear as Tom Owen-Evans tries to create a chance.

7) Joey Butlin escapes a yellow card for Hereford.

12) First opportunity of the game. Moussa Diarra heads over for Woking.

13) Shortly afterwards, Chris Camwell shoots wide for Hereford.

15) Vital clearance by Diarra to prevent Hereford getting through on goal.

19) Great chance for Hereford, but Moussa Diarra prevents Tom Owen-Evans from getting a shot in on goal. Good build up play by Lewis Butroid.

21) GOAL!!!!! JOEY BUTLIN HEADS THE BULLS IN FRONT FOLLOWING A GOOD CROSS FROM BAKARE! Hereford 1-0 Woking!!! 

29) Good save by Brandon Hall to deny Sam Ashford from equalising. 

38) A loose ball almost finds a Woking player but it goes out for a corner instead.

42) At the other end, Craig Ross saves a low Michael Bakare shot.

HALF TIME: Hereford 1-0 Woking (Butlin 21)

A fantastic header by Joey Butlin sees Hereford go into the half time break 1-0 up. The Bulls striker planted a beautiful header past Woking goalkeeper Craig Ross following a Michael Bakare cross. Hereford started well and deserved to go in front. However, Woking have come back into the game well and Josh Gowling's side have had to show their defensive threats to thwart what is quite a physical team. Brandon Hall did well to save a Sam Ashford cross while a loose ball instead went to a corner when the goal was gaping for the away side. Saying that, Hereford have had further chances to go further ahead, with Ross saving a Bakare shot three minutes before half time.

SECOND HALF UPDATES

51) A header from Jamie Grimes is punched over by Craig Ross. Good opportunity for Hereford to make it 2-0.

58) Woking have a goal disallowed. Sam Ashford headed the ball home but it was given for offside. There was a penalty shout for a foul by Brandon Hall, but it's not given. Hall is on a yellow card.

62) Now Hereford have a similar incident - the ball goes in the net but could have been a penalty leading up to it.

63) Chances for Bakare and Butroid.

65) More chances for Hereford. Finn fires over after Owen-Evans is denied 

68) Josh Casey heads wide for Woking.

70) Woking make a double change.

76) Chris Camwell fires a free kick just wide.

82) Woking make their final change.

83) A heavy touch by Joey Butlin as the Bulls striker goes clean through on goal. Big opportunity for Butlin to grab his second goal of the game. 

84) Hereford change. Pollock on for Camwell.

87) Now Kouhyar comes on for Butlin.

90) Five minutes added on.

Hereford sub: Klukowski on for Finn. Earlier, Owen-Evans went down after taking a heavy blow.

90+6) Moussa Diarra can't get to the ball. Good chance for Woking.

IT'S ALL OVER!!! HEREFORD WIN 1-0 AND ARE GOING TO WEMBLEY!!!

The players and coaching staff celebrate wildly. What a shame no fans were allowed to attend as it would have been an electric atmosphere!!!

ANALYSIS

Hereford fully deserved the win, although they could and probably should have won by more. Woking had their chances, but didn't really trouble the Bulls on many occasions; their main threat coming from set pieces. Josh Gowling's boys have been solid throughout this run, and once again Jamie Grimes was a rock at the back, ably supported by Luke Haines. Chris Camwell   who has also had a very good season - controlled the midfield well, and you always felt that Hereford had a goal or two in them. Considering all the Covid restrictions that have been in place this season, Gowling and Steve Burr deserve great credit, as do the players. They have rejuvenated the club and the relationship with the fans has been restored. Lets just hope as many fans as possible can attend the final.