Bradford PA upset Gloucester

In tonight's only National League North game, Bradford (Park Avenue) beat high-flying Gloucester 2-1.

The win lifts the Yorkshire side out of the relegation zone, while Gloucester remain third.

Sellebrity Soccer Postponed

Given there's a televised FA Cup tie taking place at Edgar Street on Friday evening, the Sellebrity Soccer event which was to have taken place next Sunday, November 6th, has been postponed.

It is now set to take place on Sunday April 16th 2023. 

The event is still being advertised on the Sellebrity Soccer site as at 7.15pm this evening. No doubt they will update the information shortly.

Hereford 8/1 To Defeat Portsmouth

Lot of bookmakers have posted odds about the outcome of next Friday's FA Cup tie between Hereford and Portsmouth.

At present 8/1 seems the best price for a Hereford win, that's with William Hill.

As for a draw 5/1 is available with 10Bet and Livescore Bet.

7/20 is on offer for a Portsmouth win with both Unibet and BetUK.

ON THIS DAY 1992 | Hereford United 3-0 Halifax Town - 31st October 1992

Thirty years ago today. Hereford United score all three goals in the first half. Marcus Browning on loan from Bristol Rovers runs riot and scores two. Gareth Davies scores his first Football League goal. Footage shown from the Merton Stand and Len Weston stand camera angles.

Hereford 1 Judge 2 Fry 3 Downs 4 Davies 5 Smith 6 Devine 7 Hall 8 Jones 9 Browning 10 Pickard 11 Rowbotham Sub Theodosiou Halifax 1 Bracey 2 Barr 3 Wilson 4 Lucketti 5 Thompstone 6 Bradley 7 Matthews 8 German 9 Hildersley 10 Lewis 11 Peake Subs Case, Paterson Attendance 1,936

I Can't Wait For Friday Said Evans

 

Jack Evans has admitted he can't wait for Friday's FA Cup tie against Portsmouth.

The Hereford wing back hasn't played in the first round before.

"I can't wait," said Evans.

"I said it after Boston before the Bromley game that they are the games you want to play in.

"As a player you want to test yourself against big opposition.

"Portsmouth coming to Edgar Street, I'm sure it will be bouncing as we always get such a good turnout, such good support.

"I can't wait for it, I'm absolutely buzzing for it, I know the rest of the lads are the same.

"We'll be bang up for it and we'll go into it with confidence.

"We'll give them complete respect because Portsmouth are a massive club with very good players.

"But we've good good players and if we stick together and keep going who knows.

"It's the first time I've played in it, I've been on the bench but I've not stepped in.

"I've been in Youth Cup and loved that but the away performance at Bromley, the feeling after the game was buzzing.

"It was really good and we want that feeling again.

"We're at home, we've got the support behind us so why not, why not, why can't we get a result?"

Barnett In National North Team Of The Week

 

Hereford striker Tyrone Barnett is in the latest National North League team of the week.

He scored twice at Curzon Ashton last Saturday.

Portsmouth Tickets General Sale

 

Tickets for Friday's FA Cup tie against Portsmouth go on general sale from 6pm to 8pm tomorrow (Tuesday) evening. They will only be available in person from the matchday ticket office

Subject to availability they will also be on sale on Wednesday at the club shop from 1pm to 7pm.

Away draw for Hereford in FA Trophy

Hereford have been drawn away to Heybridge Swifts in the second round of the FA Trophy.

The tie will be played on Saturday, November 19.

Heybridge Swifts - who won 2-0 at Royston on Saturday to progress to the second round - are currently sixth in Isthmian North - two leagues below Hereford. 

They are based in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex and play at Scraley Road.

Another long away day.

Hereford in FA Trophy Draw on Monday

Hereford will be in Monday's FA Trophy Second Round Draw.

All National League North and National League South teams enter the competition at this stage. The draw is set to be published at 1pm, with matches due to take place on Saturday, November 19. 

Three goals, three points

Harwood Bull reports from Curzon Ashton.

After the dismal performance at Bradford a week ago Hereford partly redeemed themselves with a fine win against Fylde in the midweek game at Edgar Street. Now we needed them to back that up with a good away performance, and that’s certainly what we got at Curzon Ashton (Known as “The Nash” – no I don’t know why either). The Bulls went home with the points having scored three very different, but all excellent, goals. The only blemish on the performance was a moment of slackness that allowed the home side to pull one back late on.

Dale Eve wore the keeper’s gloves behind a back three which had Jordan Thompson in the centre, with Orrin Pendley to his right and striker turned defender Aaron Amadi-Holloway to the left. Fullbacks “Skip” Hodgkiss and Jack Evans were pushed up to provide the width, and Jethro Hanson took  the holding role in front of the defence. Kane Thompson-Sommers (hereafter referred to as KTS) and Harry Pinchard played as the eight and the ten respectively (don’t you just love this modern jargon?). Tyrone Barnett led the attack with Miles Storey providing the pacy support to him.

Hereford made a lively start and took the lead after six minutes. An energetic press led by Barnett gained possession for the Bulls inside the Curzon half. Pinchard curled the ball out to Barnett who had taken up a position on the right. He took a couple of strides to the corner of the penalty area and scored with a powerful diagonal shot which beat the keeper’s dive and found the net just inside the far post.

Hereford continued to have the upper hand without creating any clear cut chances until the 21^st minute when Hanson’s inswinging corner was met with a downward header by Barnett, but the big striker’s effort was well saved by Renshaw, the home keeper.

The game was flowing well, with both teams playing a neat passing game. The Nash started to come more into the game and had chances with shots from Peers and Mahon – the latter’s powerful volley being tipped over by Eve. The biggest threat seemed to come down the home team’s right flank where Richards was operating. He got some useful crosses in but they were dealt with efficiently by the three Bulls’ centre backs. There were no more scoring chances before the interval.

Half time: Curzon Ashton 0 Hereford FC 1

The first real excitement of the second half was a flurry of activity in the Hereford penalty area ending in another good save by Eve from Sam Walker. Shortly after came Hereford’ first substitution, when Thompson left the field. Hereford reverted to a back four with the fullbacks dropping back from what had been their default position on the halfway line. Ryan Maclean came on to restore the width. He had a chance within moments of coming on but couldn’t quite connect with Barnett’s low cross from the right, a Curzon defender just getting his foot in first.

On 66 minutes Pendley punted the ball down the right for Maclean to chase. It would have been beyond most players but the number seven’s terrific pace got him to the ball before it went out and he put over a perfect first time cross for Barnett to head home at the far post. It had to be described as a perfect old-fashioned centre forward’s goal. Barnett’s leap seemed effortless, almost casual, and his demeanour after scoring suggested he didn’t think it was any big deal.

The men in white shirts made it three in the 74^th minute. Neat interpassing between Pinchard, Storey and KTS gave Pinchard the chance to square the ball to Maclean who tucked a neat side footed shot into the net.

The home side got a consolation goal four minutes later when the Bulls failed to cut out a through ball, leaving Peers one-on-one with Eve, and the striker scored easily. 

Shortly afterwards Barnett was subbed off for a well deserved rest, being replaced by Caton.

The Bulls looked a bit edgy for a couple of minutes after the home side scored but regained their composure and saw the game out comfortably with some calm and professional game management.

Full time: Curzon Ashton 1 Hereford FC 3

Hereford: Eve, Hodgkiss, Evans, Thompson-Sommers, Amadi-Holloway, Pinchard, Storey, Hanson, Pendley, Barnett (Caton 79), Thompson (McLean 56). Subs not used: Klukowski, Campbell, Holmes

A fine result. All the players put in a good shift but my joint man of the match award would go to Pendley and Amadi-Holloway. Pendley was dominant in the air, and Amadi-Holloway’s reading of the game and comfort on the ball was outstanding. The team worked hard and defended as a unit – there was one passage of play in the second half where the organisation and effort shown by the midfield and defence working together denied Curzon any chance to play through them.

Gowling commented on how the team were able to switch between the three centre backs and the conventional back four and they certainly looked equally comfortable with both systems. My only observation would be that although Evans was rightly applauded for his attacking play most of The Nash’s attacking opportunities came down his flank – Richards whipped a few low crosses in from the right which fortunately none of the home strikers could get on the end of. Maybe we need to be more switched on about covering in behind when Evans goes forward.

All in all a good game to watch. Both teams played good football and there was very little gamesmanship, few bad fouls, and unless I’m mistaken, no bookings. It’s a nice stadium with a good playing surface and a good atmosphere. The pies were rubbish though. 

Inside Matchday - Curzon v Hereford

Ty Barnett Scored Two Of Hereford's Goals

A look back at the game between Curzon Ashton and Hereford.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOwi6-o8F38

Watch Hereford's Goals At Curzon

All three Hereford goals from yesterday's game at Curzon can be seen on twitter.

Go to: twitter.com/herefordfc/status/1586489303881994241?s=46&t=RAZ7YDjPSETFX70Y4mBt9Q

It's Portsmouth In The FA Cup On Friday

After yesterday's 3-1 win at Curzon Albion, next for Hereford is the FA Cup on Friday evening when Portsmouth are the visitors.

And in his post match interview manager Josh Gowling spoke about the tie.

"It's a massive game," he said.

"Both financially and for some of these lads who have never played at this level.

"And it puts the club in the spotlight.

"We'll get to Edgar Street on Friday night and see what happens under the lights."

Luke Haines was suspended for yesterday's game. Others like keeper Brad Wade are on the way back to full fitness

"Luke has been suspended, Jordan is back in now, hopefully Brad will be back in next week.

"All of a sudden we've got players fit so it gives me a bit of a headache on choices for Friday.

"Brad trained Thursday and he was out there today doing the finishing. That's all I'm going to say about keepers!

"We haven't spoke about the FA Cup since the draw has come out, haven't cared about it.

"The first conversation we had about the FA Cup was just after the game now. Now we start to focus on that."

Second Half Pictures From Curzon

A selection of pictures from the second half of yesterday's National North League game between Curzon Ashton and Hereford.

I Thought We Were Clinical Said Gowling

 

Hereford manager Josh Gowling spoke to the local media after his side's 3-1 win at Curzon Ashton yesterday afternoon.

"Really pleasing, I thought we were clinical," said Gowling.

"The chances we had we put them to bed.

"We defended well, we tried a new formation out today, we went to it against AFC Fylde, so we wanted to come here and see how that looked.

"The start of the game I thought it worked really well but the back end of the first half they got on top a little bit so we had a little tweak then started the second half went to a bit more of a three up top and then we went back to our normal formation.

"I just think because we sat deep when they were latching out to go and press it just left a lot of space in behind because we didn't shift across the pitch quick enough.

"But their energy levels are unbelievable and the lads can transition to - we work on two formations anyway - so that formation to our normal formation the lads transition effortedly."

Barnett scored two of Hereford's goals.

"I think he's been a bit frustrated lately, I think he's been making good runs and we've not been delivering the ball and then Ryan comes on and delivers the ball and that's what Ty gives you in the box.

"So we need to get the ball into him a little bit more in the box for him to use his athleticism and his experience to get on the end of things."

Some players are coming back from injury.

"I think it just helps that when things aren't going right in a game you can tweak thing and change things and it us and gives the opposition a problem. We've had that over the last two games.

"Kane was excellent today, he's not played for, it feels like months and he's come on and played 90 minutes, he was outstanding.

"Jordan (Thompson) has come back in today in the back three, we played him central just to save his legs a little bit and again he was excellent."

Keith Hall, who interviewed Gowling, felt Jack Evans was man of the match.

"At the end when you are kind of sitting in and solid, he picks up the ball and gets you up the pitch and it wastes time. He does that really well.

"His energy levels are unbelievable. We need that going into the game on Friday."

First Half Pictures From Hereford's Win At Curzon

A selection of pictures from the first half of yesterday's game between Curzon Ashton and Hereford.

The Squad Is Buzzing Said Evans After Three Points At Curzon

Hereford's Jack Evans spoke to the local media after yesterday's 3-1 victory at Curzon Ashton.

"We're buzzing again,"said Evans.

"We stuck together, worked really hard off the back of Tuesday night, really confident.

"We started a different shape to begin with and in possession it worked, still learning it at times but adapted and came in at half-time 1-0 up.

"Kicked on from there, really pleased for myself and for the lads who came on, Ryan making an impact.

"Buzzing, really good."

Evans's Shot Was Just Over The Crossbar

Evans looked well suited to be playing as a wing-back especially given his fitness and speed.

"It suits me, I'm up and down, that's me to a tee. It gives me a bit of freedom to go forward.

"But I'm happy just playing, getting my football, being on the pitch, getting as much game time as I can.

"It gives me a bit more allowance to step in, go forward with it and drive us forward so I'm really enjoying it.

"It's hard graft for me and the Skip (Jared Hodgkiss) but Skip is really fit, I'm fit so it does suit us. I've played there before so I enjoy it there.

"I'm just happy being out there, getting game time and most importantly us getting the win away from home."

Last Saturday the Bulls lost at Bradford but Tuesday's win and Yesterday's win has picked up the squad.

"We were on a good run and you never want to stop that. It was a bit of a horrible game at Bradford and we're disappointed not to get a point at least. We went there to win.

"But we've reacted really well on Tuesday night against a good team (AFC Fylde) that play good football but we kept them out. Second half I thought in spells we were excellent.

"And to come here again, another away fixture, get the result, we're doing really well at the moment.

"Hopefully we'll take that confidence into Friday night and push on.

"Ty took his goals really well, both of them, but throughout the team big Aaron has come in at the back, me and him were solid down that side.

"Skip leading us, as he always does, the lads in the middle in Cain and Jethro and then the lads up top all working.

"It doesn't work if only one or two are doing it, we don't get the result. It's everyone on the pitch.

"It was hard graft today but we stuck together and got the result."