An injury to Jason Cowley, two goals in each half, and a red card made for a dramatic pre-season friendly as Hereford drew 2-2 at Halesowen Town.
It was always going to be a bigger test here at The Grove than Hereford had against Stourbridge on Thursday evening, with Halesowen close to making last season’s Southern League Premier Central play-offs.
Paul Caddis named one triallist in the starting eleven, and two more among the substitutes.
After five minutes, Halesowen created the first chance with Conor Tee’s close-range effort pushed away by Aaron Chapman for a corner. Then Ben Cassidy’s effort from an acute angle flashed over, and then Chapman was forced into a save from the resulting corner as Halesowen put Hereford under pressure.
Hereford created their first opportunity on 19 minutes, when Jason Cowley was fouled as he sent a ball in from the right by-line. Cowley ended up in a heap on the steep bank just behind the goal, and needed treatment while the game resumed. When Cowley got back to his feet, he was struggling to walk and the inevitable substitution saw Aurio Teixeira replace him.
As Hereford grew in confidence, they opened the scoring. On the half hour mark, Andy Williams pulled the ball back to the triallist, who struck low into the bottom corner.
Ten minutes later, it was 2-0. A looping Cosmos Matwasa header dipped towards goal, and despite a hand from Halesowen goalkeeper Dan Platt, the ball ended up in the back of the net.
Hereford dominated the early period of the second half, without creating any clear-cut chances. Their best opening was midway through the half when Andy Williams latched onto a loose ball, hoping to find an opening but the triallist couldn’t keep possession.
Moments later, Hereford were down to ten men. Matt Preston, as the last man, brought down Halesowen’s Adi Yussuf as he surged towards goal. The subsequent free kick from McKauley Manning failed to hit the target, as the low effort sailed past the post.
But the home side were keen to find a way back into the game. On 70 minutes, Hickman forced a ball into the box for a Halesowen triallist to head home. Then the leveller came. Manning rounded the Hereford goalkeeper from an acute angle to make it 2-2, with the Bulls triallist struggling to track his run.
Some lax defending had allowed the home side back into the match, as Hereford reshaped with ten men. Yet Paul Caddis was keen to see a late show from the Bulls. Clever footwork from Alex Babos almost created an opportunity in the area, while a robust clearance at the other end by a triallist kept Halesowen’s attackers at bay.
Mark Derricott was introduced for the final few minutes, replacing Teixeira. And then Adam Rooney came on for Matwasa as Chapman made a dramatic save at the back post to keep Halesowen’s Ryan Wollacott out in the final few seconds.
Halesowen: Platt, Hickman, Cassidy, Wynter, Taylor, Flanagan, Tee, Parker, 3x Triallist. Subs: Yussuf, Mitchell, Postle, Manning, Wollacott, 2x Triallists.
Hereford: Chapman, Hudson, Campbell, Preston, D’Ath, Babos, Cowley, Williams, Matwasa, Hoskins, Triallist. Subs: 2x triallists, Gibson, Derricott, Rooney, Teixeira.