Hereford made it four wins in a row on a sunny autumn day at Edgar Street, against old adversaries Chester.
The Bulls have long had history with Chester. Who can forget that epic Conference title race that saw us pipped to the title by a single point back in 2004?
And on a perfect day for football, one of the stars of the Hereford squad from the Graham Turner era - Steve Guinan - was in attendance to see the Bulls triumph.
Josh Gowling made two changes with Ben Pollock out with a migraine, so Levi Andoh partnered Krystian Pearce in defence. Jamie Vincent started in midfield.
Chester, spurred on by a travelling support of more than 200, shared the first half with Hereford goalkeeper Brandon Hall keeping the away side at bay. It was scrappy at times, with the Bulls’ best effort falling to Tom Owen-Evans as his deflected shot failed to hit the target. At the other end, Declan Weeks’ low shot was stopped by Hall. Right at the end of the half, Dan Smith’s effort was blocked the home side searched for an opener.
The second half brought a more lively, direct Hereford performance. Pearce headed at the ‘keeper, while Luke Haines had a shot blocked by Kevin Roberts after a good move from the home side. Just before the hour mark, Haines clattered the crossbar from a corner, and the ball bounced around the box for what seemed like an age before Hereford fired wide! Meanwhile, Owen-Evans’ shouts for a penalty were ignored by the referee.
Jamaal Gordon found the side netting from an acute angle, before Hereford took the lead on 72 minutes. Substitute Zeli Ismael provided the cross for a great volley from Haines, that beat goalkeeper Louis Gray, as Edgar Street erupted.
In the dying stages, Chester searched for an equaliser. Andoh cleared an effort off the line, and Anthony Dudley’s low strike was smothered by Hall. Then twice Chester found the back of the net. On 89 minutes, an offside flag ruled out Jack Redshaw’s shot after an excellent ball through by Darren Stevenson.
Then, into the six minutes of injury time, George Waring found the back of the net with a strong header, but it was ruled out for a foul.
Gordon was also substituted late on after a clash led to him needing treatment, while Haines also required the physio to come onto the field as a bruising encounter came to a close.
Chester will probably count themselves a bit unlucky to have left Edgar Street pointless, but Hereford are in form. Defensively, it’s organised well, and coming forward Hereford have a greater urgency in front of goal than a few weeks ago. Four wins, four clean sheets, and the Bulls are looking up.
Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss (capt), Haines, Pearce, McLean, Owen-Evans, Andoh, Lloyd, Vincent (Kouhyar, 77), Smith (Ismael, 66), Gordon (Sodeinde, 88). Subs: Fini, Pinchard.
Chester: Gray, Roberts, Grand, Weeks, Cowan, Glendon (capt), Dudley, Lacey (Waring, 78), Oyibo (Stephenson, 62), Askew (Redshaw, 78), Jolley. Subs: Clark, Williams
Attendance: 2,274 (210 away)