Hereford's fourth pre-season friendly took place at Edgar Street yesterday afternoon. The opposition were Birmingham City's Under 21's.
This was by far Hereford's toughest test to date. Birmingham were 3-0 up early in the second half but a goal by Andy Williams and a second goal, it remains unclear who had the final touch, reduced the deficit.
Hereford's newly appointed captain Lewis Hudson led out Paul Caddis's starting eleven which were: Aaron Chapman, Cosmos Matwasa, Travis Johnson, Kyle Howkins, Matt Preston, Lewis Hudson (C), Tate Campbell, Aurio Teixeira, Alex Babos, Andy Williams, Jason Cowley.
On a rather gloomy afternoon Hereford played towards what remains of the Blackfriars End.
In truth the first 40 minutes of the first half was fairly even. Neither keeper was really troubled other than Chapman being caught out of position with Preston clearing off the line.
But the visitors grow into the game, their midfielders just a touch sharper than Hereford's.
Birmingham took the lead in the 40th minute. A shot from the left sailed past Chapman.
Two minutes later it was 2-0.
Hereford were awarded a free kick after Hudson was brought down. Babos took the kick and the Birmingham keeper punched the ball away. Hereford's defenders appeared slow to react and Dixon scored.
Half-time: Hereford 0 Birmingham 2
Hereford started brightly after the break with Babos testing the keeper.
But on 49 minutes it was 3-0, Perglov the scorer.
Babos sent a free kick towards goal but the keeper was equal to it.
On 61 minutes Hereford scored. Captain Hudson with a cross that Williams get his head on and directs into the net.
A couple of chances for Hereford, Derricott replacing Howkins and soon after a trialist came on for Teixeira
Williams had another chance following a cross from Babos but his header went wide.
Then on 76 minutes a second Hereford goal. A long throw-in from Babos finds a group of players. It looked like Williams, or perhaps Matwasa, initally got his head to it but it remains unclear if anyone else helped it into the net.
The last fifteen minutes Hereford did their best to equalise. Chances fell to several players but the score remained Hereford 2 Birmingham 3.
Attendance 658.