Highlights From Chorley

 

Highlights from last Saturday's match at Chorley are available to view.

Please go to:  https://herefordfc.co.uk/2026/11/highlights-chorley-fc-1-2-hereford-fc/

Back to lucky Lancashire

It’s straight back to Lancashire then for Hereford FC following their wonderful return to winning ways at Chorley on Saturday. They’re unbeaten in the county so far this season having also won at Southport, which is of course Lancashire in old money, and would love to make it a hat-trick here. Lancs is certainly a luckier county than Herefordshire for the Bulls at the moment.

Following recent relegations (three in four seasons) Morecambe currently seem to be a bit all over the place, dipping in and out of transfer embargos and generally looking like they’re operating beyond the means of their owners, in that depressing way of so many football clubs throughout the land.

The Shrimps, back when they were run efficiently as a top non-league entity, always provided entertaining opposition for Hereford United when HUFC went down to the Conference, and it’s nice to have them back on the fixture list again, though no longer at Christie Park. They now play at the Halo Aerospace Stadium. I don’t know why I’ve made that seem like news – they haven’t played at Christie Park for 16 years.

They were relegated to this level last season and finished bottom of League 2 the season before that. They had been going well, winning seven of their last ten before Saturday, when they had what looked like a tough game on paper away at Hednesford. They then very much proved on plastic how tough it was by getting beaten 6-2. As ever after such a thumping, we could see a strong reaction or, hopefully, an early Bulls goal causing Morecambe heads to drop earlier than they might otherwise have if they hadn’t shipped six in the last game.

That result could well be a reflection of the current financial uncertainty at the club.

Having said all that, they are really good at home. They’ve won five of seven home games, and conceded just three goals in those seven games. Astonishing frugality.

Adam Lakeland is their manager and knows the division inside out after spells at Curzon Ashton and King’s Lynn. His 500^th game as a manager was that 6-2 loss – not how he would have wanted to celebrate that milestone.

He spoke after that game about the difficulty of separating the playing side from the off-field issues, something he conceded was affecting the players.

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts will be a familiar name to many Bulls fans. The ex-Macclesfield right-winger isn’t a particularly prolific goalscorer but he’s often influential.

They’ve got National League experience throughout the side, and young central midfielder Ruben Curley, on loan from Stoke, looks a decent player.

In terms of the visitors, Aaron Downes has some decisions to make. Does Cawley Cox start after his two goals on Saturday? Did he benefit from the Chorley defenders being totally puffed out after trying to keep Harrison Iwunze quiet? If so, is it worth repeating that approach?

Aaron Skinner was missing injured on Saturday, but could be on the bench here, ditto Billy Phillips. Will Merrett is back after suspension. It will be very interesting to see how the manager plays it in terms of the shape of the defence and midfield and the players used in that shape, given the options he now has.

Lewis Hudson showed incredible commitment, and certainly proved his fitness,  in getting through 90 minutes on Saturday after missing the whole season to date. Now he just needs to hit the goalscoring form he found towards the end of last season. A big boost to have him back.

Hereford will go back to the top of the league if they win this, but that Morecambe defence at home won’t make it easy, unless of course the players really are distracted at the moment and playing with one eye on their futures.

You absolutely don’t want to see clubs in trouble of course, but if the above is the case it’s a good time to be playing them.

Finally, if you’ve done Chorley and you’re doing Morecambe…fantastic effort.

COYW

Bookies Offer 19/10 For Hereford Win At Morecambe

Hereford are 19/10 to win at Morecambe tomorrow evening.

Currently Hereford are second in the National North League table with 29 points from 15 games.

Morecambe are ninth with 23 points from 15 games 

Last Saturday Hereford won 2-1 at Chorley (13th) whilst Morecambe lost 6-2 at Hednesford (5th).

Hereford's away form is won 5, drawn 1 and lost 1.

Morecambe's home form is won 5, drawn 1 and lost 1.

As for goal difference Hereford's is plus 14, Morecambe is plus 5.

Recent form: Hereford WLLW

Morecambe: WWWL

Morecambe 5/4  Draw 5/2  Hereford 19/10 

Cox In National North Team Of The Week

Hereford striker Cawley Cox has been included in the National North team of the week.

Cox came off the bench and scored Hereford's two goals in their victory at Chorley last Saturday. 

£24 To Watch Hereford At Morecambe

Adult Hereford supporters look like being charged £24 to watch the game at Morecambe on Tuesday evening.

It's thought this price is the dearest in the National North League.

Tickets on the night will cost £2 extra.

Concessions cost £19, Young Adults (18 to 24) £15, Juniors £7.

Ticket details:https://ticketsmorecambefc.com/packages/LZEmOKzmpW/events?view=all

After Ninety Minutes At Chorley - More Pictures

A second selection of pictures from after ninety minutes at Chorley yesterday afternoon.

After Ninety Minutes - Hereford Celebrate Their Victory

After a disappointing few weeks, Hereford were on the road yesterday with a visit to Chorley.

It's probably fair to say that many would have taken a draw before the game started so a victory was all the more special.

And it showed after the final whistle.

 

Second Half Pictures Chorley v Hereford

A selection of pictures from a better second half especially for Hereford.

 

Hereford Women Out Of League Cup

Hereford Women have been knocked out of their League Cup by  Telford Town Ladies.

Final score: Hereford 1 Telford 5

Hereford took the lead in the 9th minute but afterwards it was all Telford in the first half with their five goals coming on 15, 17, 18, 22 and 25 minutes. 

There were no goals in the second half.

Next Sunday another Cup game for Hereford.

They are away at Pegasus in the HFA County Cup.

First Half Pictures Chorley v Hereford

A selection of pictures from the first half of yesterday's game.

A 

National North Weekend Review

Hereford's Cawley Cox With Manager Aaron Downes After Three Points At Chorley

A review of yesterday's games in the National North League written by NL's Sam Elliott. 

Just because there was exciting FA Cup action on offer, that didn’t mean the battle for points was halted with more intrigue at the top of both divisions.

South Shields strengthened their grip on the Enterprise National League North leadership with a crushing display.

They rolled Calum McIntrye’s Southport over 5-1 - Cedwyn Scott scored twice, with Paul Blackett, Adam Campbell and Jack Roles also on target.

Hednesford added to Morecambe’s issue with a 6-2 victory - Jamie Cooke scored an incredible hat-trick for the impressive Pitmen. Dylan Mottley-Henry added two, with Jamie Morgan sealing the deal.

Hereford are back on track and up to second after a 2-1 win at Chorley. Cawley Cox scored both goals for the Bulls.

Merthyr Town won 4-1 against Hebburn - Ellis Watts and Morgan Wigley added some extra time gloss.

Connor Woods’ late penalty saw Chester take the points home from nine man Brackley Town.

Louis Mount backed up a brilliant October as he carried on his good form. AFC Telford beat Spalding United 2-1.

Ross Crane but the seal on King’s Lynn Town 2-0 win at home to struggling Spennymoor Town.

Elsewhere, Scarborough Athletic came from 2-0 down to pinch a point from Buxton, Rio Allan’s penalty made it 2-2.

Hereford Scored With Two Strikers On The Pitch Said Preece

Cawley Cox Scored Both Hereford's Goals

Chorley manager Andy Preece felt his side deserved something out of yesterday's game against Hereford.

Chorley took the lead but two goals from Hereford's sub striker Cawley Cox gave the visitors the win. 

"It's the toughest one to take so far this season." said Preece in his post match interview.

"The way we played I thought we were excellent through out the game. We defended really well, we won the majority of the battles, we were very good going forward.

"We created opportunities, their keeper has made a couple of great saves, but we created a great goal.

"We lost because we made two small errors and got punished for it.

"The first one, we made an error, let the ball bounce so they managed to get hold of the ball around the edge of the box.

"The lad's (Cox) had a shot, it's got a massive deflection, I think it was their first shot on target in the game and it's deflected in.

"Then we had a right go again to get a goal.

"But again we make an error in mid-field and we let the ball drop and no one is around.

"And they are good when they pick the ball up between your mid-field and your defence.

"Normally they play with two strikers, they didn't start the game with two but when they scored they had two strikers on the pitch. 

"One has got it, turned it over the top for the other one. He's gone through and a really good finish.

"And then we had one and it hits the bar, so one of those days. We didn't deserve to come off there with no points. 

"Credit to Hereford, they stuck in the game and competed really well, never gave up.

"Credit to them they've kept going.

"Sometimes you've got to find a win when you're not the best team and credit to them they did today." 

Pictures From Chorley

Hereford were at Chorley yesterday.

It is an old stadium which could do with a face lift. The pitch is grass but looked like it needs a re-seed. It did not play very well, quite bobbly. And the lights when they came on at the start of the second half were quite dim. 

Hereford supporters were 'housed' at the one end and slightly up the side adjoining the main stand. At least there was some cover unlike at Macclesfield two weeks ago.

The official attendance was given as 1320 with 130 in the away end. It looked more and certainly sounded as though there were more as the Hereford fans were in good voice all afternoon. 

As for the food, the steak pie was very good. 8 out of 10.

As usual BN will have pictures from before, during and after the game.

So we'll start before kick-off.