The abandonment of the FA Cup tie at Sporting Khalsa means Hereford must wait to see if they’ll reach the third round qualifying.
On 67 minutes, racist abuse was hurled at the Sporting Khalsa goalkeeper Ravan Constable. This led to the game being stopped, players leaving the field, and ultimately the decision to abandon the match.
This report focuses on the football, as there is coverage elsewhere on Bullsnews of the unacceptable scenes that unfolded.
Going into the afternoon, on a 4G surface that the Bulls helped to officially open in 2018, Paul Caddis was keen to avoid an upset and progress in the world’s greatest cup competition.
Hereford made five changes, with Montel Gibson cup tied and Preston Bitemo absent after his injury at Darlington last week. Andy Williams led the attack, with Remaye Campbell among the substitutes. Sporting Khalsa named former Bull Chay Tilt in their midfield.
Although Hereford had the better of the first half, Sporting Khalsa - who play two divisions below the Bulls - made their mark on the match and were competitive and tenacious throughout. They capitalised on any Hereford hesitancy and that resulted in a lively 45 minutes.
I-Lani Edwards had Hereford’s first opportunity after eight minutes, finding the side netting after good work on the left channel. Then Omari Sterling-James’ low drive was straight at ‘keeper Constable.
Edwards then scored his first Hereford goal. A purposeful move, with Sterling-James providing the assist to the Aston Villa loaner, who tucked home a low strike to open the scoring.
But this wasn’t to be the start of Hereford domination. Sporting Khalsa had plans of their own. Andre Landell’s shot from an acute angle was stopped by Theo Richardson, and then defender Keenan Quansah received a yellow card for a foul on Tilt, who was Sporting’s livewire. Two minutes later, Tilt struck gold. Cutting in from an acute angle, he drilled the ball home to make it 1-1.
Hereford could’ve scored again just before half time when Sterling-James found himself surging towards goal. But a perfectly timed challenge by defender Jack Fletcher prevented a clear-cut opportunity.
Just a minute after the restart, Hereford were ahead. Lawson D’Ath’s ball to Andy Williams at the far past saw the Bulls striker turn home and restore the lead.
The Bulls looked relatively comfortable, with Sporting Khalsa’s only real chance of getting back on level terms coming through a Tilt cross-cum-shot that Richardson grabbed at his far post.
But then came the moment that led to the match abandonment. And now the Bulls wait to hear when this tie will be played again - likely to be on Tuesday night - and whether the club will face further repercussions.
Hereford: Richardson, Quansah, Preston, Howkins, Parker, Skinner, D’Ath, Sterling-James, Edwards, Osborne (Nto, 60), Williams. Subs: Lewis, Roberts, Hudson, Richards, Campbell, Rooney.
Sporting Khalsa: Constable, Green, Phillips, Fletcher, Kourouyianni, Dawkins, Tilt, Burgess, Landell, Whittaker, Townsend. Subs: Singh, Marusia, Henry, Sawyers, Campbell, Asomugha, Kalonji.
Referee: Callum Fisk