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| Two Goals For John Mills |
It was a case of a comfortable Thursday evening for Peter Beadle and his players as Hereford FC eased past Long Eaton United with a 4-0 stroll. Mustapha Bundu opened the scoring midway through the first period, before a welcome John Mills double sandwiched Pablo Haysham's close-range finish.
Following the thrashing of Bardon Hill at Edgar Street on Saturday, and the postponement of the mouthwatering Alvechurch game on Easter Monday, Beadle made two changes ahead of a busy coming ten days. Jimmy Oates was rested with Jamie Laird replacing him for his full debut and Ryan Green moving to the right-back. Dylan Bonella found himself on the bench, with Pablo Haysham restored to the starting eleven in a very attack minded line up.
It was the Bulls who made the most of the opening stages; Bundu waltzed past two before his deflected effort looped over the crossbar and Mike Symons headed into the 'keeper's arms after a Mills' cross. The former Didcot man was looking likely and after Symons had found him inside the area, he composed himself before firing wide from a tight angle. Further chances followed as Laird was unlucky not to net a debut goal when his glancing front post header from a Rob Purdie corner was cleared off the line at the far-post. The hosts broke with some pace, causing problems down both wings but lacked an end product, summed up by their best chance of the half; a 25 yard free-kick which struck the wall.
Hereford opened the scoring on the 20th minute with Bundu netting his sixth goal in three games. Birch played a pass out to Bundu, who interlinked with both Symons and Mills, and the final pass back to Bundu was diverted into the back off the net via the post and just out of the grasp of the 'keeper.
Mills really should have made it two when he was found by a cushioned header from Laird; the league's top scorer composed himself with a good first-touch but his second was palmed away by the 'keeper. Haysham then forced a good save at the near-post by Scott Low in the Long Eaton sticks. Half chances were missed again by Haysham and Bundu before Jamie Willets nearly netted on two occasions towards the end of the half. Firstly, a Purdie corner was floated into the six yard box and a bullet header from the former Stourport skipper smashed against the woodwork and moments later, a Green cross was deflected over the bar via Willet's knee.
It was a case of one way traffic in the first-half and the second-half followed the same suit, despite the early loss of Bundu to a knock to his foot. On loan Cheltenham Town winger James Bowen replaced him. Haysham was off-target with a free-kick after late tackle on Purdie before Mills came close to breaking his 2016 league drought with a header after Green and Purdie had linked up on the right-wing, Purdie's cross picked out Mills but his well-placed header was pushed aside.
Luckily for Mills he didn't have to wait long for another chance and this time he made no mistake, netting in the league for the first-time since the 28th December against Coventry Sphinx. Bowen's low rasping drive was parried by the 'keeper but Mills reacted superbly and stroked the ball into the empty net, much to the delight, and the relief, of the large away contingent. It was the 100th time Hereford had netted in the league this season, and it was fitting that it would be Mills, the scorer of so many of those goals. With that strike, the floodgates opened for Hereford and they added two more before the night was complete.
Purdie's well-weighted pass found the overlapping run of Green, who composed himself inside the area, to pull back for Haysham who greatly accepted the opportunity by firing home from 12 yards. Anthony Robbins gave a well deserved break for Aaron Birch, who had another effective and impressive display, whilst Joe Tumelty also had a short run-out in place of Haysham. The final goal, and perhaps the best of the evening, was scored by Mills, in the closing minutes. A long ball by Martin Horsell was competed for by Symons and it sat up nicely for Mills, who, from 20 yards looped a half-volley over Low and into the back of the net.
It was an impressive display by Hereford, helped greatly by one of the best pitches in the Midland League. The pitch was well kept and was very wide, allowing Hereford to utilise both wings to good effect. There were a number of stand out performers; Laird fitted in superbly at the back and was dominant in the air, as well as being able to spot a pass. It was good to see Mills back on the scoresheet, as well as once again, working his socks off, chasing down lost causes and creating havoc with his off the ball movement. Man of the match goes to Purdie though; he controlled the game in the middle of the park and looked tidy in possession, being the catalyst for a number of attacking moves.
No rest for Hereford as they travel to relegation threatened Dunkirk. It's a case of the best attack against worse defence. Hereford have scored 102 league goals, whilst Dunkirk have let slip 107 goals. Following that Hereford entertain Walsall Wood on Tuesday evening, before travelling to Alvechurch on Thursday, for the huge rearranged game at the top.
Hereford: Horsell, Green, Willets, Laird, Edwards, Haysham, Purdie, Birch, Bundu, Symons, Mills.
Subs: Summers, Bonnella, Robbins, Tumelty, Bowen.
MOTM: Purdie
Attendance: TBC - Between 300 and 400 estimate.
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