Hereford are into the top half of the National League North table after a comprehensive win under the lights at Edgar Street.
This was an accomplished performance: solid at the back, creative up front where Hereford took their chances against a Kettering side who offered little.
The Bulls came into the game on the back of four consecutive league wins lifting them into 13th place, although they were defeated on penalties by Kidderminster in the FA Trophy at the weekend. Kettering’s form was inconsistent, with the Poppies managed by Paul Cox, just a point below the Bulls in the table.
Josh Gowling was without Ben Pollock at the heart of defence once again, and made two changes with Dan Smith and Maz Kouhyar returning to the starting eleven, and Zeli Ismael and Jamie Vincent dropping to the bench. For Kettering, top scorer Callum Powell lined up in attack. Kyle Perry, who had a short loan spell with Hereford back in 2012, was on the Poppies bench.
Ahead of kick-off, a minute’s silence was held to remember former Hereford United manager John Sillett, who led the club to promotion to Division 2 back in 1976 before spearheading Coventry City’s only FA Cup victory.
After a cagey opening few minutes, Hereford soon took control of the game. Smith had a goal ruled out for offside on 21 minutes, and four minutes later, the Bulls took the lead. Tom Owen-Evans’ free kick from an acute angle appeared to bounce off the goalkeeper, low at the near post, into the net.
Kettering’s best opening of the first half came as Jordan Crawford headed over, with Brandon Hall having little to do in the Hereford goal.
The Bulls could’ve doubled their advantage before the break with Owen-Evans’ free kick from 30 yards out being turned away for a corner.
Straight after the restart, a penalty appeal for a challenge on Jaanai Gordon was waved away, and it was Gordon who connected with the resulting corner but he volleyed over. But it didn’t take long for Hereford to make it 2-0 with a well-executed move. Levi Andoh and Owen-Evans connected, then Ryan Lloyd fed Gordon to score.
Gordon could’ve added a second minutes later but his shot was pushed away by the goalkeeper Rhys Davies, then Dan Smith threaded a ball to Owen-Evans who fired first time to drill home Hereford’s third.
With confidence oozing through the Bulls eleven, there were opportunities for more. Owen-Evans had an effort headed off the line, and Jared Hodgkiss’ curling shot was saved by Davies.
The rain came down, and there were more chances falling Hereford’s way: Ryan McLean, and substitute Ismael, both came close to scoring. At the other end, Hall was called into action in the last minute to save a 30 yard free kick from Luke O’Neil.
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| Owen-Evans Came Close To Getting A Third |
But this game had been won well before the dying stages. Hereford looking comfortable and organised, marshalled by Pearce and Andoh at the back, and Ryan McLean’s pace troubled Kettering. After five consecutive league wins and five consecutive clean sheets, there’s a spirit and energy to this side that’s shining through on the pitch.
Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Haines, Pearce, Owen-Evans, McLean, Gordon (Sodeinde, 77), Lloyd (Ismael, 73), Andoh, Kouhyar, Smith (Klukowski, 83). Unused subs: Liburd-Hines, Bennett.
Kettering: Davis, O’Neil, Brown, Stower, Ward, Smith, Powell (Ofosu, 63), Kennedy, McDonagh (Stones, 70), Crawford, Sharpe (Perry, 73). Unused subs: Barrett, Cooper.
Attendance: 1,492