Kidderminster Win At Curzon And Move Above Hereford

In tonight's only National North League fixture Kidderminster won 1-0 at Curzon Ashton.

Kidderminster move up to 6th place.

Hereford drop to 8th.

One National North League Fixture This Evening

There is one National North League Fixture this evening.

Curzon Ashton v Kidderminster

Normally it would have been played last night but Curzon had a game last Sunday in the FA Cup.

If Kidderminster win they will move above Hereford in the table.

Second Half Pictures Hereford v Oxford City

Second half pictures from a gloomy Edgar Street last night.

 

First Half Pictures Hereford v Oxford City

A selection of pictures from the first half of last night's National North League game at Edgar Street.

Highlights: Hereford v Oxford City

 

Highlights, not that there are any really, of yesterday evening's game between Hereford and Oxford City are now available to watch.

https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/highlights-hereford-0-2-oxford-city/

Pre Kick-Off Hereford v Oxford City

A few pictures from before kick-off at last night's game between Hereford and Oxford City.

Caddis trying to bring players in but finances are thwarting recruitment efforts

Paul Caddis is trying to strengthen his side

Hereford boss Paul Caddis has admitted he is trying to bring new faces to Edgar Street but has so far been unsuccessful.

The gaffer said finances play a part in why he has not signed players lately but is hopeful there could be a signing soon.

Speaking after the 2-0 loss at home to Oxford City, he said there had been two failed signings after he put in seven-day approaches for non-contracted players. He said the moves didn't happen due to the "financial side" of deals but the club are "constantly looking".

He admitted it's frustrating and he was looking at players from lower down the leagues - but not necessarily the best ones.

"We're looking at levels below because that's the market we're in and we're trying to get the best players there but the best players there are on contract and we won't go and pay fees.

"We are continuously looking."

Caddis also said the loan market is limited at the moment but was hopeful of one signing after the seven-day notice period expires.

When pushed for clarity by BBC Hereford and Worcester's Trevor Owens, he said one player had slipped through the net after being offered "better stuff elsewhere" but all hope was not lost.

He is hopeful to "come to an agreement" with another player but added: "We obviously can't speak to them like that until the seven days have expired so we won't know until the end of those seven days if we get them."

Midfielder leaves Hereford and returns to former club

Midfielder Chay Tilt has left Hereford and returned to his former club Sporting Khalsa.

Arriving at Edgar Street in the summer from the Birmingham side, the winger - who can also play in central positions - has found minutes limited.

Having previously played at clubs including Stourbridge, Tamworth and Redditch, Hereford boss Paul Caddis confirmed he has left Hereford.

Sporting Khalsa, who the Bulls met in their Midland Football League days and now ply their trade in step four's Northern Premier League Division One Midlands, had put a seven-day approach in for the non-contract player.

He made three starts and came off the bench nine times during his time at Hereford, chipping in with one assist.

Caddis wished him luck in his interview after Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at home to Oxford City.

Match report: a night to forget at Edgar Street

It was another night to forget at Edgar Street as Hereford were beaten 2-0 at home by Oxford City.

Fans have bemoaned tactical choices and formation once again as a back five with three in central midfield left a pedestrian and uninspired Hereford almost wonky, but two late goals from the visitors sealed the Bulls' fate.

After a poor first half performance with the hosts rarely able to keep hold of the ball, Alex Babos was sent off in the 44th minute for a second bookable offence - a reckless challenge.

Paul Caddis made two changes to the side that lost 3-0 at Chester on Saturday, with Lawson D'Ath and Ty Deacon in for Aurio Teixeira and Andy Williams, with Jason Cowley absent with illness.

While an early corner for Oxford saw Hereford bring everyone back, the visitors failed to test Aaron Chapman with the short set piece and he could comfortably watch a speculative follow-up from range sail well wide.

In front of the Blackfriars End, visiting stopper Kai McKenzie-Lyle couldn't keep hold of an Alex Babos cross from the right. The ball fell to Yusifu Ceesay, but as he scrambled a shot away, he couldn't find the target with the low effort.

For Oxford, Josh McEachran should have done better to break the deadlock as a mix-up in the Hereford defence saw him get a shot away, but the shot lacked conviction as Chapman made a slow-motion save down to his right.

With the first half lacking pace, and suffering a relentless cycle of both teams taking the ball toward the 18-yard box before being dispossessed, it was the 23rd minute before the next chance to break the deadlock. Falling to Tom Scott, his shot from 20 yards was low and drilled diagonal across the area, eventually going wide of the diving keeper’s net.

Both keepers were rarely called into action, and even in the 43rd minute, Ahkeem Rose couldn't test McKenzie-Lyle - a ball fell nicely to him in the area but he couldn't do enough to control the volley as he saw it deflected over.

The biggest talking point of the first half would be the sending off of Alex Babos, first booked for bringing McEachran's surging run to halt, he picked up a second yellow for a similar challenge on Josh Parker, leaving referee Ash Clarke with little choice.

Half time: Hereford 0 - Oxford City 0

Into the second half and with one less man, the Bulls had their backs against the wall and looked cagey in front of the home fans. While change might've been needed after Saturday's showing, it was unlikely to happen against Oxford.

The visitors would've been happy with a point - but didn't always sit back and absorb the pressure as at times there was very little from Hereford.

Other than a Josh Ashby free-kick sailing through a crowded box and going wide and a Reece Fleet effort also wide, there was very little to write home about. In the 62nd minute, Ceesay broke free and set up Rose, but his effort was blocked.

The closest either side came to scoring was when Oxford struck the woodwork nine minutes later, Scott rattling the crossbar with his last kick of the game after Parker pulled the ball back having latched onto the end of a Preston clearance.

Despite Aurio Teixeira and Cosmos Matwasa being introduced, it was the away side who looked more likely to score and claim the three points. Searching for their third away win in a row, Parker saw an effort go over Chapman's goal before being called into action to deny Ashby, who had returned for the match after a one-match suspension.

There was a chance for Matwasa, playing deep on the right, after the constant pest Ceesay had managed to bring a long ball under control and hold it up. Having crossed to Matwasa at the back post, he forced the keeper into a crucial save.

But, other than the final whistle, that was the highlight of the second half for the 1,930 Bulls fans. In the 88th minute, Preston's scuffed clearance fell to Ashby to stab home - Paul Caddis responded by introducing Andy Williams and Adam Rooney but it would prove to be too little too late.

In five minutes of added time, started by the visiting keeper going down with cramp after such a busy evening, Hereford had thrown everything forward and were stung on the counter attack. Alfie Potter was able to burst through on goal with the remaining defenders committed forward, teeing up Josh Parker to double Oxford's lead.

Full time: Hereford 0 - Oxford City 2

Attendance: 1,949 (19 away)

Sponsors' man of the match: Yusifu Ceesay

Hereford: Chapman, Howkins (Williams 89’), Preston, Hudson, Bartley, Campbell, D’Ath (Rooney 89’), Ceesay, Babos, Deacon (Teixeira 63’), Rose (Matwasa 63’)

Sub not used: Horton

Oxford City: McKenzie-Lyle, Burley, Ashby, Jones, Fleet, McEachran, Parker, Scott  (Potter 71’), Carbon (Walsh 77’), Roddy (Coyle 71’), Drewe

Subs not used: Siddik, Croker

REACTION | Paul Caddis - Hereford FC 0-2 Oxford City

Paul Caddis gives his reaction to tonights defeat.

He also reveals a member of the squad has departed. Click the play button below to hear his thoughts.

Poor night for top teams: National League North results and updated table

The top three teams in the National League North have all been beaten this evening.

In a weird set of results, which saw pitchless Farsley beat King's Lynn, Scunthorpe lose at Spennymoor and Chorley sunk 3-0 at Marine, Hereford cling onto their play off place. 

Brackley Town (0) 0-0 (0) Warrington Town

Buxton (1) 2-0 (0) Scarborough Athletic

Darlington (0) 1-0 (0) Chester
Hereford (0) 0-2 (0) Oxford City
King's Lynn Town (0) 0-2 (2) Farsley Celtic
Marine (1) 3-0 (0) Chorley [1104]
Peterborough Sports (0) 3-1 (1) Alfreton Town
Radcliffe (1) 2-1 (0) Leamington [613]
Rushall Olympic (0) 1-1 (0) Needham Market
Spennymoor Town (2) 3-2 (1) Scunthorpe United

The updated league table can be found here: https://bullsnews.blogspot.com/p/league-table.html

Caddis’s gamble fails as 10-man Hereford lose at home

Hereford have lost 2-0 at home against Oxford City this evening.

With Alex Babos sent off at the end of a goalless first half, the Bulls struggled to make an impact.

An 88th minute goal from Josh Ashby gave the visitors the lead as they took advantage of a poor clearance, but a late gamble from Paul Caddis as he brought Andy Williams and Adam Rooney on, alongside Yusifu Ceesay, failed to turn the game around. 

Instead, Oxford scored a second in injury time thanks to Josh Parker. Another poor game at home. 

Full report, pictures and reaction to follow. 

Goalless at half-time but Hereford down to 10 men

It's goalless at half time in this evening's game against Oxford City at Edgar Street.

Hereford are down to 10 men though after Alex Babos picked up a second yellow with a late challenge on the stroke of half-time.

There have been few chances throughout the half and the Bulls have been guilty of being unable to keep hold of possession for sustained periods.

Team news: the Hereford side to take on Oxford City at Edgar Street

Paul Caddis has made two changes to the side that lost 3-0 at Chester as the Bulls return to Edgar Street this evening.

In come Lawson D'Ath for Aurio Teixeira and Ty Deacon for Andy Williams for the clash against Oxford City.

There is no place for Jason Cowley, who came off the bench at Chester after returning from injury.

Hereford: Chapman, Hudson, Preston, Howkins, Bartley, Campbell, D'Ath, Babos, Ceesay, Rose, Deacon.

Subs: Horton, Williams, Teixeira, Matwasa, Rooney

Tonight's Game On National TV

Tonight's game between Hereford and Oxford City is on National League TV.

Whether this is financially a good idea for Hereford isn't clear.

The question is how many supporters who might have gone to the game will watch the game. Obviously if they are season ticket holders it's not quite the hit to the club.

But if they are not, it's not only the entrance fee but maybe the profit from a pint and/or some food as well.

Against that how much will the club receive from National TV?

As well as being on TV, both BBC Hereford and Worcester and Radio Hereford FC will have full match commentary of the game.

Unfortunately Keith Hall isn't able to be at the game for Radio Hereford FC. George Holloway will take his place.

 

Tonight's National North League Fixtures

Tonight's National North League Fixtures:

Brackley v Warrington

Buxton v Scarborough

Chester v Darlington

Hereford v Oxford City

Kings Lynn v Farsley Celtic

Marine v Chorley

Peterborough Sports v Alfreton

Radcliffe v Leamington

Rushall Olympic v Needham

Spennymoor v Scunthorpe

London Bulls To Host Live Stream for Scarborough (H)

The London Bulls are delighted to announce another Live Screening for the game against Scarborough on Tuesday, 19th November 2024.

You can join them from 6pm onwards at Clubhouse 5 in Leicester Square (which has been renamed to 'The Three Lanterns' this week).

The turn out for the last live screening against Warrington was fantastic and we were proud to see Hereford take over a space in central London with people bringing their flags, scarves and shirts. We're looking to recreate this and hopefully better it for the Scarborough game!

Please sign up to the event through THIS LINK.

As always if you are able to contribute toward the cost of the screening we would be incredibly grateful! 

Thanks all, COYW! 🐮⚪⚫

Bulls 7/10 To Return To Winning Ways Tomorrow

Hereford are 7/10 to defeat Oxford City tomorrow evening at Edgar Street.

Currently Hereford are 6th, Oxford are 19th.

Last Saturday Hereford lost 3-0 at Chester (11st) whilst Oxford draw 1-1 at home against Southport (5th).

Hereford's home record is 2 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat.

Oxford's away record is won 2, drawn 2 and lost 3.

As regards goal difference Hereford's is + 6, Oxford's is - 8.

Recent form:

Hereford WWLWL

Oxford DWLWD

Hereford 7/10 Draw 14/5 Oxford 15/4 

A Look Back To Saturday At Chester

 

Lee Milford took his camera to the Deva Stadium on Saturday to capture Hereford's visit to Chester.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgUaQGacno0

Chester Supporters Warned About Use Of Flares

 

Chester supporters have been warned about the use of flares after at least one was let off at the game against Hereford on Saturday.

The flare came after Chester scored their second goal of the game. 

This from Chester:

Chester FC would like to remind supporters that carrying or using pyrotechnics including flares, smoke bombs and fireworks within stadiums is illegal.

Two recent incidents of pyrotechnics being thrown onto the pitch at home matches are under investigation and anyone identified as being responsible will face a club ban and be reported to the police.

Our club supports the ‘Love Football. Protect the Game’ campaign that has introduced stronger measures and tougher sanctions to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours, including entering the pitch without permission, use of pyrotechnics, throwing missiles, drug use and discriminatory behaviour.

Pyrotechnics can cause serious injuries such as burns and breathing problems, alongside damage to hands, hearing, lungs and eyes, and pose a serious fire hazard. It is illegal to bring them into stadiums and doing so endangers the safety of you and others, as well as putting the football club at risk of sanctions, including fines.

Ticket checks to be ramped up at Edgar Street to catch dishonest fans

Hereford chair Chris Ammonds, left

Ticket checks will be beefed up at Edgar Street to catch dishonest fans trying to get away with cheaper tickets.

Extra checks will be rolled out because Hereford have learned some supporters may be using Under 16 match or season tickets to watch games, when in fact they should be buying adult tickets.

Despite only a "small minority" thought to be doing this, the club warns it could be costing the club "a significant amount of money".

In an article on the official website, the club warned that over the course of a season, that money could be used - including being added to the playing budget to strengthen the squad.

Bulls chairman Chris Ammonds said it was disappointing to hear and the club would be taking action.

Turnstile operators won't be asking fans for ID as they are volunteers and there are sizeable crowds at the moment.

Instead, stewards will be stopping fans to check they have a valid match or season ticket and anyone found not to have one will not be allowed entry to the ground. 

Fans are being urged to allow more time to get into Edgar Street for that reason.

He also said ticket system information is being checked to find 'unusual patterns'.

City Slippers

South Shields, Darlington, Chorley, Oxford. It’s like one of those multiple-choice tests where one answer is utterly daft, the sort of multiple-choice test that gave me a marginally better chance of passing some GCSEs: ‘Which of these isn’t northern?’

Hereford FC host Oxford City in a match-up between two archetypal northern English powerhouses on Tuesday evening in the National League North, under the historic floodlights that have beckoned supporters from miles around to the hallowed Edgar Street turf for decades. Like a rusting bell that has called the faithful to prayer over centuries, even such established fixtures of the matchday experience face obsolescence eventually, and this will be one of the final times we get to enjoy the hit-and-miss nature of the mythical bulbs as they spasm on and off when they feel like it, like a lazy lighthouse.

The script was written for Hereford to go into this one on fire, like a lighthouse whose lighthouseman has been a bit careless with the brightness setting on his light, but a bad day at the office was endured on Saturday, with the Bulls shipping three goals to Chester.

Prior to that, things were ticking along nicely, and a couple of eminently winnable home games this week, with Marine following this one as the visitors on Saturday, are just what’s needed to get back on track. Paul Caddis wants six points from those two games, and as such, and as ever, accurately reflects what the supporters want. Thinking about it, you’d have to be a bit nuts if you wanted anything less than six points from the two games, unless you had some sort of disloyal vested interest courtesy of the prediction league.

The visitors, in contrast, haven’t really been ticking along nicely, and sit just three points above the drop zone. Mystic Meg I certainly am not (and arguably neither was Mystic Meg otherwise she wouldn’t have had to continue to schlep nonsense for a living prior to the lottery thing every weekend) but in this space pre-season I did, in reference to City, say that if they’re ‘able to adapt to the rigours of the NLN to any extent and aren’t still wandering around the pitch like shellshocked zombies at Christmas following a few ‘welcome to hell’ challenges in matches up to that point they’ll be doing well’.

On that front they’ve struggled, unsurprisingly, following relegation from the National League; the NLN is an unforgiving division. Their seasonal start was atrocious, and was indeed one of shellshocked zombies getting shot in the head time after time by streetwise northerners (shot in the head, stake through the heart - not sure what the correct approach is vis a vis zombies and vampires), but they’ve started to get their act together lately as they acclimatise to the fact that this season isn’t going to be any sort of chummy picnic with Chippenham, Weston-super-Mare or some other southern softy. They’ve won a couple of their last four games, and drew at home on Saturday with in-form Southport. Only 500 punters turned up for that game, which is really not many for a side that was recently operating at a level higher. The consensus locally though is that they’re ‘improving with every game’.

Energetic and talented midfielder Tom Scott has been instrumental in that improvement following his September arrival, after spells with Banbury and Kettering.

They’ve actually scored more goals than Kings Lynn and Curzon Ashton, who are in third and fourth positions in the table respectively, but only Needham Market are leakier at the other end, if you’ll pardon the expression.

That leakiness will be music to the ears of returning Bulls striker Jason Cowley. A goal on his return to action at home would be some compensation for the frustration he must have been feeling since his pre-season injury. Whether his match fitness is sufficient for an actual start here is debatable, but he should play some part.

Aaron Skinner and Preston Bitemo are out until Christmas at the earliest, and Sammy Robinson continues his suspension, otherwise Paul Caddis has a relatively fit and healthy squad from which to find the winning formula.

As with Orrin Pendley a couple of seasons ago, sides are figuring out that Matt Preston has many strengths (one of which is being a magnificent defender – he’s been a superb signing), but a Hoddle-esque range of pinpoint passes isn’t one of them. He’s being allowed all the time he needs when in possession as a result, so why not allow him to just amble forward with the ball and give it short when he gets dizzy, rather than hoofing it from the back and cheaply surrendering possession, or just carrying on all the way up the pitch a la George Weah, as the opposition parts in confusion like the Red Sea waiting for a long punt that never comes, and scoring a goal for the ages? Did the Red Sea part in confusion? My Biblical knowledge is as rusty as my horror film heads/hearts thing.

With the opposition seemingly starting to find their feet, this won’t be straightforward like Farsley was, but it’s nevertheless a good opportunity to add another buttress to Fortress Edgar Street.

COYW 

Old Programmes - 1973-74 Season - Hereford United v Bristol Rovers - Division Three - Wednesday October 24th 1973

Result: 0-0                 

Attendance: 12,501 (not bad for a midweeker!)

Hereford United: Hughes, Mallender, Naylor, McLaughlin, Jones, Tavener, Evans, Owen, Lee, Gregory, Rudge (Jenkins).

Opposition: Eadie, Jacobs, Parsons, Green, Taylor, Prince, Stephens (Fearnley), Stanton, Warboys, Bannister, Dobson.

League Position: 10th (13 games in), the away point ensures Bristol Rovers finish the evening top of the league. 

Click on photos to enlarge. 

Colin's Comments: His comments give the usual decent insight - however, this match it was his actions that stood out, making 5 changes from the previous away defeat to lowly Southend.

Third Division Round Up: One player that catches the eye in the round up is a 19 year Paul Mariner, who it is predicted to be one of the hottest properties in the Third Division, he has already scored 8 goals, putting him right in amongst the division's top scorers.

Promising young manager John Bond at Bournemouth is also discussed, a piece that illustrates how fast a river HUFC are swimming in. Bournemouth had recently sold goal machine Ted MacDougal to Manchester United for the eye-watering sum of £200k, and had in their ranks highly-rated defender Mel Machin who the manager valued at £70k. If you chuck the likes of Mariner in the mix, it gives a feel for the level of football Hereford were at.  

In the Opposition: Trevor Jacobs is worth a mention, having made the move from across town from Bristol City. Bristol-born Lindsey Parsons was Rovers all the way though, playing 400 games for them, ditto fellow defender Stewart Taylor who played 546 league games for the Gas (a record), including an impressive 207 on the spin. Welsh-born Frankie Prince was another 400 game merchant. They also had Bruce Bannister and Alan Warboys up top who developed something known as the "smash and grab" method of football - sounds brutal. Winger Ken Stephens would go onto play 60 league games for Hereford in his early thirties between 77-80. John Rudge would go on to be a successful manager at Port Vale, managing a remarkable 16 years in the hotseat.

What stands out about the Rovers squad is that even allowing for the old school loyal footballer that ended up entitled to a testimonial (Google it kids), this lot stuck around. Seemingly getting in several million appearances for Rovers between them. 

Fan of the Week: They look a robust bunch this week. 

Edgar Street Chatter: A trip to Cambridge in 2024 is a bit of a journey, the 1974 equivalent would have been a bit lumpy to say the least; not that it would have been an issue for four lucky VP Club members, courtesy of their Chairman laying on his executive plane to thank Hereford for the hospitality he received at the last home game. 

There is a "matchball" off between the respective Aldershot/Hereford branches of Freezerfare. I remember the Hereford branch of Freezerfare off Three Elms Road, I think solely on the strength of it selling Piglet crisps, a crisp that made Disco's seem like health food. 

There is also news of a testimonial for 350+ game White Alan Jones, a Terry Paine containing Southampton team are due at Edgar Street on 3/12/73. Interestingly it is a game that doesn't appear in "the book", so I am not sure if it went ahead?

Supporters' Corner: To give you a feel for this league, Phil Godsall flags that the club has had to dish out £38k in transfer fees during a rallying cry (£20k of which had just secured the services of Jim Hinch from Plymouth). If Bournemouth manager John Bond's valuations are to be trusted that would buy you half of his right back. News also that the construction of the Block D section of the main stand is finally underway. He closes his page by giving a well deserved big up the St.John Ambulance Brigade. 

Going by Car: With the completion of the M42 still over 10 years away, the favoured way of getting top the North East (in this case York City) appeared to be via the A49 before cutting across on the M62.

In the News: October 20th - The Dalai Lama visits the UK for the first time.

In the Charts: Eye Level by the Simon Park Orchestra remains at No.1.

On TV: 17th October - ITV show a live home England international for the first time from Wembley, the famous match where Poland went away with a 1-1 draw securing their place at the 1974 World Cup finals (in Germany) at the expense of England. The game is best remembered for the outspoken pundit Brian Clough calling their hero of the night goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski a clown before the match. 

In the Maternity Ward: TV/Radio Presenter Bev Turner was born on October 21st 1973.