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| Aaron Skinner's Run Into The Area Led To Hereford's First Goal |
A switch in tactics and an energised performance from the outset signalled the Bulls’ intent, and despite conceding a late goal to create a nervous finale, they were deserved winners.
Hereford made four changes with Paul Caddis employing a 3-5-2 formation. Lewis Hudson started at left wing back, Mitch Roberts was at the centre of defence, Andy Williams started in attack and I-Lani Edwards made the starting eleven in midfield.
Hudson and Omari Sterling-James were employed as wingbacks, with Aaron Skinner at the heart of the midfield as Hereford looked to neutralise a Buxton starting eleven featuring ex-Bulls Tate Campbell and Sammy Robinson.
The Bulls started strongly, with Williams testing the Buxton goalkeeper Paul Cooper with a low shot. Hereford looked confident in possession, and pressed forward with purpose. But it wasn’t one way traffic, and Keenan Quensah’s strong challenge prevented a Luke Brennan run into the area doing any damage while an opportunity from Cian Coleman went just wide, as did a shot from Buxton captain Connor Kirby.
On 36 minutes, Campbell put Hereford ahead chasing onto a loose ball in the area, and from 12 yards out, he turned the ball home with an excellent curling effort.
Then three minutes before half time, Hereford made it 2-0. Andy Williams forced a corner, and got a kick on the ankle in the process. Omari Sterling-James’ delivery found the head of Campbell, and his bullet header was drilled home from six yards out.
After the break, Buxton naturally tried to get themselves back into the game. While Hereford played well, the home side created opportunities. A corner managed to hit the far post, and Brennan also beat three players before his shot went inches wide of the far post. At the other end, Sterling-James did a brilliant job of cutting in from the byline, but his effort was pushed behind for a corner.
Hudson was among those withdrawn by Caddis during the second period - in part because he’d suffered a couple of knocks, while Theo Richardson also received treatment in a competitive encounter.
It was another former Hereford man - Ryan McLean - who played a pivotal role in Buxton’s goal two minutes into added time. Fresh off the bench, he threaded the ball through to fellow substitute Tai Sodje, who nodded the ball home to give Buxton hope. He found himself in space in the area.
This could’ve created a nervousness finale. But, with four minutes of added time still to play, Hereford absorbed the late pressure to see out the victory.
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| After Buxton Scored Hereford Tried To Slow Down The Game |
In all, this was a much needed turnaround for Hereford. And a base to build upon ahead of two games in three days over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Hereford: Richardson, Quansah, Preston, Roberts, Skinner, Hudson (Howkins, 71), Richards (D’Ath, 76), Sterling-James (Nto, 88), Edwards (Osbourne, 60), Campbell (Wreh, 80), A. Williams. Subs: Bitemo, K. Williams.
Buxton: Cooper, Campbell, Burton, Johnston (Hill, 65), Kirby, Coleman (Ebanks, 62), Brennan, Martin (McLean, 75), Viggars (Sodje, 62), Bardell, Robinson.
Attendance: 709 with about 130 following Hereford