Downes admits Iwunze 'grasps it now' as hot streak continues

Harrison Iwunze celebrating his goal against Radcliffe midweek

Harrison Iwunze has wasted no time making himself at home with Hereford.

Just weeks into his loan spell from Notts County, the 20‑year‑old already has now scored three goals in three games — Marine, Radcliffe and now Worksop — and looks every bit the lively, powerful forward Aaron Downes hoped he was getting.

Iwunze arrived earlier this month with a decent pedigree behind him. He signed his first professional deal at Notts County last year and extended it in the summer, having featured in their pre‑season friendlies against Nottingham Forest, Randers, Viborg and Alfreton Town, scoring in a 5–0 win at the latter.

He also made three EFL Trophy appearances last season, including one against Manchester United’s Under‑21s, before a short loan at Kettering Town alongside Bulls midfielder Preston Bitemo.

Downes said Iwunze needed a little time to understand how Hereford play, but has quickly caught on.

“Harrison had to understand what we’re about, he came in quite late into preseason,” he said after the 3-0 win at Worksop, which was Iwunze's first start.

“He grasps that now and I thought it was the right time to start him.

"We wanted to go two up today and and we did that and get a foothold in the game.

"I thought all three strikers were excellent again and it's really good to be a manager to have those options.

You can pick one, two, and all three of them could all fit in those formations.

"His overall play was really good and it caused problems for defenders."

It’s not hard to see why Downes wanted him. When the loan was announced, the manager described him as “a big, strong boy and a striker who is going to put defenders under pressure,” highlighting his “power, strength, pace” and eye for goal.

He also noted that Iwunze is “held in high regard at Notts County” and that the Bulls were pleased to be trusted with his development.

Iwunze himself said he is “athletic” with “a lot of tenacity” and “hungry to score goals”, adding that Downes’ front‑foot approach “definitely sounded like a bit of me".

Hereford next face Chester at home on Saturday, currently the only side in the league with four wins from four.