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| Pictures From Andy Walkden |
Hereford only had four substitutes at Kettering on Tuesday night as National League regulations say you can only play 4 on loan players. With both Hall and Sondergaard having Covid emergency loan signing from Grimsby Ollie Battersby made his debut in goal at Blyth this afternoon.
Skipper Hodgkiss was back at right back with Pearce, Pollock, and Revan (loanee) continuing in defence. Haines and Patten (loanee) sat in front with Pinchard, Owen-Evans and McLean behind Touray (loanee). On the bench were loanees Egan and Wright, Klukowski, Gillela and Lloyd. Faal not making the squad, and Storey out for a while with a strain.
Hereford looked lively from the start although Blyth also had a couple of early opportunities. McLean played through by Tom missed a good chance. Minutes later Ryan pounced on a poor back pass and rounded the keeper to score from a difficult angle.
McNall had a good opportunity, but Battersby was quick to close the angles and save for a corner.
Revan got down the left and crossed for Owen-Evans to double Hereford’s lead with a silky flick. Hereford were playing well with Touray presenting McLean with a good opportunity. Haines volleyed just over but it was not long before the third. Tom shot from distance and a defender blocked it, but the ball looped up and over giving keeper Mitchell no chance.
Hereford were rampant with Patten failing to hit the target with two opportunities, and then had a shot blocked when he looked set to score. Blyth got a goal back on the stroke of half time through McNall striking from the left side of the box across Battersby.
Blyth came out seeking to get back into the game but a poor clearance from Mitchell was intercepted by Pinchard. Harry curling the ball into the net to restore the three-goal lead and all but kill off the game. Patten appeared to suffer a nasty injury and Lloyd came on. Touray was taken off and Wright made his debut.
Hereford were in control and Blyth were unable to avoid their sixth consecutive home defeat as they battle relegation.
Man of the match was Tom Owen-Evans with his two goals and all-round play.
A
very good, comprehensive victory by the Bulls pushing up to eighth with
the chance to battle for a play off place with Chorley, York, and
Southport all within reach.
BN would like to thank Andy Walkden for all the pictures used in this report.