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| Sterling James Scored Hereford's First Goal |
Hereford lost 3-2 at National League South side Chippenham Town in the Bulls’ final pre-season match.
Both sides were restricted to efforts from distance for much of the first half. On 40 minutes, Chippenham’s keeper was drawn into a good save to his right from Sam Osborne - who joined Hereford on loan from Alfreton Town this morning - after a run from the centre circle.
The hosts took the lead minutes later; a deflected shot forced goalkeeper Theo Richardson into a great reaction save, but Chippenham’s number 11 netted the rebound from the right of the box.
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| Some Hereford Players Thought That Chippenham's First Goal Might Have Been Offside |
Hereford reemerged unchanged for a more eventful second half. A long-ball by Chippenham led to their number 11 being put through one-on-one against Richardson; he prodded into the bottom right corner for his second goal and to double Chippenham’s lead.
Hereford were able to respond immediately through a long ball of their own. Omari Sterling-James was able to flick the ball over the onrushing Chippenham goalkeeper, and followed the ball for a tap-in to halve the deficit.
Former Bulls defender Luke Haines forced Richardson to tip the ball over the bar with an audacious free kick from the halfway line. On the hour mark, Osborne latched onto a flick-on for a brilliant one-on-one chance near the penalty spot, which he blazed over the bar.
Seconds later, however, Hereford worked the ball to Sterling-James in the box, who squared to Remaye Campbell - alone on the right-hand side - who finished to make it 2-2.
Substitutions midway through the half saw the action briefly reduce, but Chippenham retook the lead with a counterattack from a Hereford corner. A long ball put their number 15 in on goal down the right; he fired inside Richardson’s near post to make it 3-2.
The hosts had most of the efforts of the final 15 minutes - a handful from range, and a few blocked well by Hereford defenders - with the game ending 3-2. The Bulls controlled little of the second half, despite a few promising spells in the first.
Attendance: 341
Hereford's Starting XI: Richardson
A. Skinner
G. Mafuta
M. Preston
L. D'Ath
S. Osborne
R. Campbell
O. Sterling-James
K. Williams
K. Howkins
K. Quansah