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| Lawson D'Ath scored Hereford's first just after half-time |
Hereford have missed out on a place in the FA Trophy last-16 as AFC Fylde edged through on penalties following a dramatic 2-2 draw over 90 minutes.
After a first half in which the Bulls were second best for long spells and went in two goals down, Paul Caddis’ side showed far more urgency after the break. Goals from Lawson D’Ath and Lewis Hudson dragged Hereford back into the contest, but missed penalties from Remaye Campbell and D’Ath allowed Fylde to claim a 4-3 shoot-out victory.
Paul Caddis made three changes from the side that drew at Merthyr Town, with D’Ath restored to the starting line-up alongside new faces Keziah Martin and Justin Donawa. Harley Hamilton was cup-tied, while Matt Richards and I-Lani Edwards were omitted and have since departed the club. Fylde also shuffled their pack, making four changes after their victory over Bedford.
After a minute’s applause to supporters who have died over the last year, it was the visitors who looked sharper from the outset. Within 10 minutes, Luca Thomas cut inside from the left and sent a curling effort beyond Theo Richardson, only for the crossbar to deny what would have been a spectacular opener.
Hereford struggled to gain any rhythm in the opening stages as Fylde enjoyed the bulk of the ball and applied steady pressure. Jaiden White blazed over after a rare break forward, but it was Fylde who continued to create the clearer openings. Tom Whelan flashed a shot narrowly wide before Richardson was forced into a smart save to push another effort away.
The deadlock was broken just after the half-hour mark. A swift Fylde move ended with Ryan Colclough’s shot striking the rapidly turning Gus Mafuta - with referee Kavan Hurn, who had already punished Hereford with several soft fouls, pointing to the spot for handball. That left Danny Ormerod to step up and confidently convert to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Hereford thought they had an immediate reply when D’Ath headed home from a free kick, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Moments later, Fylde doubled their advantage. Richardson did well to tip a bending effort around the post, but from the resulting corner Max Taylor reacted quickest to hook the ball into the top corner.
With the home support visibly deflated by yet another first half performance where Hereford failed to score or keep a clean sheet, the half ended with Fylde firmly in control.
Half time: Hereford 0 – AFC Fylde 2
The Bulls returned after the interval with far greater intent and were rewarded almost instantly. Within the opening minute, a simple ball over the top from Keenan Quansah released D’Ath, who raced through and finished calmly past Pat Boyes.
That goal changed the mood inside Edgar Street and Hereford began to push Fylde back. Donawa produced an excellent touch to bring down a long pass before driving into the box, only to be denied by a fine save. Martin then went close with a low effort from the edge of the area as the pressure built.
Fylde were increasingly forced onto the back foot. D’Ath forced another outstanding stop with an acrobatic, overhead volley in the 74th minute, before Donawa’s similarly spectacular overhead attempt from the resulting corner clipped the bar.
The equaliser arrived with two minutes of normal time remaining. Kyle Howkins saw his header cleared off the line, but the ball dropped kindly for Hudson, who kept his nerve to fire home from close range and send the tie to penalties.
Despite six minutes of time added on, neither Hereford nor Fylde could do enough to stop the fourth round tie from going to penalties.
The shoot-out proved cruel for the hosts. Skinner converted the opening kick, but Campbell’s effort was saved and D’Ath fired over. Although Keziah Martin and Jaiden White kept Hereford alive, Corey Whelan stepped up to convert Fylde’s final penalty and seal their progression.
Full time: Hereford 2 – AFC Fylde 2 (AFC Fylde win 4-3 on penalties)
Attendance: 1,372 (52 away)
Sponsors’ man of the match: Lawson D’Ath
Hereford were left to rue their trademark sluggish first half that left them with too much to do, but the response after the break showed real character. On another day, their late pressure might have been enough to complete the turnaround. Instead, penalties brought an abrupt end to their Trophy run.
With more new additions seemingly on the horizon, it's essential that the Bulls stop giving teams a head start by starting strongly.
The road to Wembley is over for another year. Oh well, time to focus on the league...
Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Quansah, Howkins, Hudson, D’Ath, Mafuta, Martin, Donawa, White, Williams (Campbell 52’)
Subs not used: Lewis, Preston, Rooney
AFC Fylde: Boyes, McFayden, Taylor, Merrie, Thomas (Mitchell 75’), Mayor (Wilson 61’), Healy-Byrne, C. Whelan, T. Whelan, Colclough (Ustabasi 70’), Ormerod (Hunter 80’)
Subs not used: Jones, Coates, McKay