Hereford FC Academy Raceday

It's Hereford FC Academy Raceday at Hereford today.

Gates open 12.15pm. First Race 13.50. Going is reported to be Good.

All profits from the event will go towards helping to run the Academy at the Football Club which boasts over 180 players aged from 7-years-old through to our open-age-group Women’s side.

Hereford Defended Well Said Armstrong

Darlington manager Alun Armstrong was disappointed not to take all three points from yesterday's game against Hereford and questioned why the referee had disallowed a goal.

"Still baffled by why the referee disallowed the goal," said Armstrong.

"He's told Justin to stay where he is. Justin stays where he is and then the ball rebounds and he's disallowed it.

"I'll have to have a word but it's not going to change anything.

"We deserved to win that game. I think we created enough opportunities but they defended ever so well.

"For us to have a team like Hereford come to us and set up the way they did speaks volumes about the way these lads are at the minute.

"I said as soon as their lad was sent off  I hope this isn't another Bradford Park Avenue.

"Even with eleven men I thought we were well on top, we caused them all kinds of problems. They couldn't live with us on times.

"But they defended ever so well, I've got to give them credit for that but I'm still baffled by that decision.

"Considering we played on Wednesday and they didn't, you look at how fit we were, I was really pleased with lads.

"Everyone knows Hereford should be up there, they are gunning for promotion this year, but the lads have been fantastic.

"I'm so disappointed we never got the win. But to make a team like that, play like that, then I think the lads have got to take massive credit.

"I can't remember them having a shot, I think Nico had one at the end and Liam had one in the first half. That was about it

"Total domination from us, I just so frustrated we did not win it."  

Update Monday:

The reason Darlington's goal was disallowed was because referee Peter Shacklady correctly applying a new law which meant ruling out Joe Wheatley’s (4) tap-in as Justin Donawa (16) had been stood [sic] within a yard of Hereford’s defensive wall at a free-kick.

Second Half At Darlington

A selection of pictures from the second half of yesterday's 0-0 draw between Darlington and Hereford.

Dynamics Changed After Sending Off Said Slade

Speaking after yesterday's goal-less draw at Darlington, Russell Slade started with the sending off of Tommy O'Sullivan.

"Obviously the dynamics of the game changed in the 28th minute  when we lost Tom for a second bookable offence," said the Hereford manager.

"I'll have to have a look at both of those.

"I think it has caught the top of his arm, his shoulder, with the second one. The first one I'm not sure of, I'd like to have a look at that again.

"There didn't seem to be too much going our way in those early stages.

"I had just adjusted the team slightly to push Tom further forward, just in behind Styche. That was hopefully going to settle us down a little bit as we were grinding our way back into the game.

"But the dynamics of the game changed with that sending-off. It's a different game then and we had to be nice and compact and look for our moments of trying to steal a win if we possibly could.

"I thought our goalkeeper was magnificent, our back four put their bodies on the line, our midfield worked tiredlessly.

"We did everything we possibly could and there was just a moment towards the end when Nicholson let fly and that could quite easily have gone in because it beat the keeper and we might have got something. And even in the first half Vincenti's header.

"But we had to defend like our lives depended on it and that's what we did.

"102 minutes they's had to defend.

"It was incredible some of the blocks, that picking up and tying up with an opponent in the box I thought we did, by and large, really, really well." 

Was Slade pleased the squad had travelled up on Friday?

"We know they are eating, we know they are sleeping properly and the preparation was very good.

"In a nice room we went through the game plan, okay some of that went out the window after 28 minutes when we went down to ten men but we were prepared for what Darlington had to throw at us.

"The good thing was everybody knew their jobs and they went and executed it"

Also in his interview Slade mentioned that defender Marin Riley was back in full training and admitted that 'odd one' might go out on loan.

"I don't want them sitting at home wasting away because we might need them"

First Half Pictures From Darlington

A selection of pictures from the first half of yesterday's goal-less draw between Darlington and Hereford.

Overnight Stay Helped Said Gowling

The Hereford squad travelled to Darlington on Friday afternoon in advance of yesterday's game.

Captain Josh Gowling gave his view about the overnight stay.

"I've had a long career so whenever you've played away games in the football league you've always stayed overnight.

"I think it helps you prepare, it gets you focused.

"I think if we had come up today it's a long journey.

"If you do that journey and then have to put a shift in with ten men, it's going to be difficult.

"The fact we stayed over gave us that extra bit of preparation."

Hereford stopped Darlington winning run of six games.

"They did play Wednesday so we were aware of that.

"We thought they were going to start well so we just had to be solid, resilient.

"They play expansive football, they play out of the back, they get the full backs bombing on so we knew we would be under the cosh a little bit.

"But if you look at the games we've played, even the two games when we've conceeded three, we haven't been cut apart. It's just been those little stupid things.

"We knew if we cut them out we've wouldn't get opened up and we didn't."

Gowling suffered a nasty cut to his forehead late in the game

"I just went down and they played on but to be fair to the referee he came and apologised afterwards because he didn't see me down.

"I wasn't out, it was just painfull.

"I couldn't go off, it's a little cut isn't it!

"We had a job to do, we were down to ten men early, we all have to play our part, we all have to dig in.

"And that's what I did."

Clyro Fireworks Tonight

Quick reminder that Clyro Fireworks is tonight.

Sat Nav: HR3 5LE

Away Point For Battling Ten-Man Bulls

O'Sullivan Gets His Marching Orders

 Harwood Bull reports from Darlington

As I was polishing the runners on the sledge and giving the huskies a hearty meal ready for the trip to the north east I was pondering on what kind of day we were in for. With Darlington on a 6 match winning run and Hereford having been error prone on the road the omens weren’t great. Could we turn it around and get a much needed away win under our belt or would Darlo march on? In the end neither of those things happened. What we got was an absorbing battle with Hereford, down to ten men for over an hour of the game, showing great resilience and composure, and fighting every inch of the way to secure a deserved draw.

The Bulls started with Hodgkiss returning from injury, and on-loan Taylor Allen starting on the left side of the attack. 

The other loan signing, Victor Sodiende, was on the bench. Two former Darlington players featured for Hereford. Styche started at centre forward and got the sort of reception from the home supporters I’m sure he expected. Jordan Nicholson, another ex-Quaker, was one of the substitutes.

The first ten minutes or so were pretty uneventful, the first real excitement coming after 12 minutes when a powerful long range effort from Holness was just wide of the Hereford goal. Darlington started to come into the game more, having most of the possession, and showing a lot of pace on the flanks, something which the Bulls have looked vulnerable to in previous games. Today both our full backs looked sharp and dealt with most of the threats well. Darlo’s diminutive number 9, Adam Campbell, liked to operate on the left and then cut inside for a shot off his right foot, but Hereford’s defence restricted him to long range efforts which failed to hit the target.

Things took a serious turn for the worse on 28 minutes. Tommy O’Sullivan had already been booked for a foul minutes before and then committed a blatant deliberate handball in full view of the ref. The inevitable second yellow was shown and he trudged off. I can only imagine what he was thinking, but I know what I was, and it was something along the lines of “what a silly boy he is”. No excuse for being that stupid, in my opinion. What was already a difficult job was suddenly much, much harder.

A fairly scrappy passage of play followed, with lots of petty fouls and whinging and moaning at the ref. Then Styche worked himself a shooting opportunity on the right but his low drive was into the side netting. 

Shortly after Dawson and Thomas combined well on the right flank to create a crossing opportunity but the full back’s cross was too high. In the 40th minute following a Darlington corner on their right the ball was crossed in for O’Neill to power in a downward header which was met by an excellent save from Brandon Hall, and a after a couple of panic stricken seconds the ball was scrambled away. Right at the end of the half Peter Vincenti had a header on target following a good run and chipped cross by Dawson, but it was comfortably saved.

Halftime: Darlington FC 0 Hereford FC 0

Having survived the first forty five minutes Russell Slade started the second half with the same ten that finished the first, but after only four minutes Vincenti limped off to be replaced by Victor Sodiende. 

Victor Sodeinde

 To Hereford’s credit the tactics weren’t just to get everyone back behind the ball, they still tried to take the game to the home side, but this became increasingly difficult as the extra man started to tell. In the 57th minute the ball was cut back into the Hereford penalty area from the by-line and the low shot was blocked by Hodgkiss on the line. A couple of minutes later Thomas was booked for a typically “committed” (and extremely late) challenge. He was possibly lucky to get away with a yellow card, the home supporters certainly thought so.

The Bulls were starting to win a few free kicks in attacking positions, and this seemed to be the best chance of snatching a goal. From one of these Josh Gowling was left stretched out in the home penalty area having received a head wound going for a high ball. Despite Hereford’s protests the game continued and Darlington broke forward but wasted the opportunity. Gowling stayed down for some time, being patched up by both physios, finally getting to his feet with a massive bandage around his head, but thankfully able to continue.

Hereford made two changes, Nicholson came on for Allen to a chorus of boos from the home fans – he showed some good touches and looked lively. I wasn’t particularly impressed by Allen’s contribution, or by Styche who was replaced by Mooney. Styche is a bit of a mystery to me – for his previous three clubs, including Darlington, he’s averaged a goal every two games, but for the Bulls he hasn’t looked likely to score in any of the games I’ve seen.

Jordan Nicholson Went Close With This Shot

There were nine minutes added, due to the prolonged treatment to Gowling. Darlington pressed for the winner but didn’t make the most of their chances to get the ball into the box, crosses frequently being over hit. Hall made a couple of good saves, including one from a direct free kick. The rebound from that was smashed into the net but the referee had seen an infringement and the goal was disallowed.

Full Time : Darlington FC 0 Hereford FC 0

Overall, a satisfying result. The team looked much tighter and better organised than previously, and kept their shape well. The back four looked solid, and Ben Pollock was the unsung hero, putting in an excellent shift as the defensive midfielder just in front of them. 

Ben Pollock

Dawson looks like he could be a major influence with his years of experience and the whole team battled tirelessly to earn the point. It was greatly to their credit that they still tried to go forward when they could and the substitutions were positive ones, Slade refusing to replace attacking players with defenders.

A good defensive performance and a clean sheet. If we can maintain that and add a bit of firepower up front then a playoff place is a realistic ambition.

A word for the home club. Sharing the ground with the rugby club seems to work well - facilities are good, stewards were friendly and the pitch was in great shape considering two sports are played on it. A good day out!

Race for the play-offs hotting up

The race for the play-offs in National League North appears to be anyone's with just six points separating King's Lynn in fourth and Gateshead in 14th.

York are eight points clear at the top and are still unbeaten, but were held to a 1-1 draw by Kidderminster today.

Hereford are 11th following the 0-0 draw at Darlington. However, just goal difference separate them and Brackley, who occupy the final play-off position in seventh.

Results

AFC Telford United 1-3 Boston United

Alfreton Town 0-2 Spennymoor Town

Blyth Spartans 2-0 Farsley Celtic

Brackley Town 1-1 Chester

Darlington 0-0 Hereford

Gateshead 2-3 Guiseley

Gloucester City 2-2 Curzon Ashton

Kettering Town 4-0 Bradford (Park Avenue)

King's Lynn Town 2-2 Altrincham

Southport 4-1 Leamington

York City 1-1 Kidderminster

The full league table can be viewed here.

Gowling on digging in against Darlington

Hereford captain Josh Gowling spoke following his side's workmanlike 0-0 draw against Darlington this afternoon.

Gowling had to have his head bandaged after receiving a cut.

You can hear what he had to say about that as well as the game below.

Slade delighted with hard-earned point

Hereford manager Russell Slade was very pleased with his side's hard-earned 0-0 draw with Darlington.

The Bulls had to play with 10 men for over an hour following the dismissal of Tommy O'Sullivan. 

You can listen to what Slade had to say via the below video.

Ten-man Bulls hold on for point

Hereford defended valiantly to pick up a 0-0 draw at Darlington after playing with 10 men for more than an hour.

Tommy O'Sullivan received his marching orders in the 28th minute following a deliberate handball, just moments after he had been booked.

Darlington peppered the Hereford goal on numerous occasions thereafter, but the Bulls were not to be denied, with Brandon Hall making several great saves.

Josh Gowling also battled on after receiving a head wound, resulting in nine minutes of injury time being added on in the second half.

There will be post-match reaction in due course, while we'll also post a full match report.

O'Sullivan sent off in first half

Tommy O'Sullivan has been sent off for Hereford for handball just moment after being booked.

The Bulls midfielder received his marching orders in the 28th minute, meaning that Hereford have an almighty task if they are to get anything from this game against a Darlington side who have gone into the game with six wins in a row in all competitions under their belt.

The home side have had the better of the first half chances, with Hereford keeper Brandon Hall making a great chance five minutes from time. Peter Vincenti also went close for the Bulls just before the break.

Half time: Darlington 0-0 Hereford.

Team news: Hodgkiss returns; Allen makes debut

Full back Jared Hodgkiss returns to the Hereford starting XI for this afternoon's match at Darlington after returning from injury.

Taylor Allen also makes his debut after joining the Bulls on loan from Forest Green.

1) Brandon Hall

2) Keiron Thomas

3) Jared Hodgkiss

4) Ben Pollock

5) Jordan Cullinane-Liburd

6) Josh Gowling

7) Taylor Allen

8) Stephen Dawson

9) Reece Styche

10) Peter Vincenti

11) Tommy O'Sullivan

Subs

12) Jason Pope

14) Jordan Nicholson

15) Victor Sodeinde

16) Jack Bodenham

17) Kelsey Mooney

Hanley Joins Mossley

 

Raheem Hanley has signed for Mossley AFC.

The winger was released by Hereford recently after failing to feature regularily.

Hanley is expected to play a part in Mossley's game against Prescot Cables this afternoon.

Tomorrow's National North Fixtures

There's a full compliment of fixtures in the National North League this weekend.

AFC Telford v Boston

Alfreton v Spennymoor

Blyth Spartans v Farsley Celtic

Brackley v Chester

Darlington v Hereford

Gateshead v Guiseley

Gloucester v Curzon Ashton

Kettering v Bradford PA

Kings Lynn v Altrincham

Southport v Leamington

York v Kidderminster 

Hopefully all games will go ahead as the weather is set to be somewhat better than last weekend when the majority were called off.