Hereford Women have been drawn away in the second qualifying round of the FA Womens Cup.
They will travel to Broseley, which is between Bridgenorth and Telford, on Sunday September 21st.
Monday, September 08, 2025
Hereford Women Away In Next Round Of FA Cup
Hereford Women have been drawn away in the second qualifying round of the FA Womens Cup.
New warning over how Merton Meadow closure would affect Hereford traffic
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| Traffic along the City Link Road at 5pm on January 24, 2020 |
It’s not just parking spaces that will be under pressure if Merton Meadow closes — traffic around Edgar Street could also get worse.
Merton Meadow, the 650-space council-owned car park next to Edgar Street, is earmarked for redevelopment.
The council has already approved plans to turn the northern section of the car park into a flood alleviation wetland, with work due to start soon. This will then allow a 400-home "urban village" to be built on the southern section of the car park.
Knock-on for traffic
A parking report, obtained by Bulls News under the Freedom of Information Act, warns of “excessive circulation” once car parks reach 90% occupancy. In plain terms, that means drivers looping around the city trying to find spaces.
On Saturdays, that could mean heavier queues on Newmarket Street, Blueschool Street, Commercial Road and the City Link Road, which all feed into the A49 and A465. For Bulls fans leaving it late for a 3pm kick-off, it risks being stuck in jams before even finding a space.
The scale of the problem is clear. Consultants PJA, who prepared the report, calculate that up to 490 cars could be displaced on a busy Saturday without Merton Meadow. Added to that are 193 parking permits, many used by NHS staff. Those permit holders will need reallocation too, increasing competition on Saturdays when football and hospital demand overlap.
The report is blunt about the tipping point: “Once car parks hit 90% capacity, drivers begin to struggle to find spaces,” with queues at entrances and “excessive circulation” on surrounding roads. December is forecast to be especially difficult, with demand exceeding total capacity between 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
It was December 2023, when three Hereford FC home games coincided with the Christmas shopping rush, when the consultants had the car park under their microscope. Demand peaked at up to 89% capacity at 2.30pm. However, the report notes the the 'actual peak' would be between 59% and 89%, when taking parking permits into account.
Inside Edgar Street that month, a 5–1 defeat to Scunthorpe drew 2,870 fans, 1,001 watched a 1–0 FA Trophy win over South Park and 2,707 turned out to see the Bulls edge Spennymoor 2–1.
Unless new provision is brought forward, the risk is obvious. Closing Merton Meadow won’t just squeeze parking — it could snarl up the very roads fans rely on to get to Edgar Street.
Multi-storey option
The report does mention that St Martins 2 and Wye Street would have capacity to help once Merton Meadow is gone - but they have less than 100 spaces each and are a mile from Edgar Street, near Hereford Leisure Pool south of the River Wye.
One potential mitigation is the construction of a new multi-storey at the Country Bus Station. Two options have been costed, designed to replace some of the capacity lost at Merton Meadow.
The report says this could “mitigate and potentially consolidate parking supply”, but also cautions that usage depends on more than just numbers. “Destination, direction of arrival, pricing and type of car parking among others would all influence individual decision making,” it notes.
But the project needs funding and depends on the new Transport Hub being delivered, work on which has only just begun.
For supporters, the location is less convenient than Merton Meadow, meaning it may ease pressure across the city but not necessarily provide the same quick access to Edgar Street.
This article is part of an original Bulls News investigation into the future of Merton Meadow and what its closure means for Hereford supporters. More to follow.
Sunday, September 07, 2025
Match Report: Hereford Women v Bath Women
Earlier this afternoon a Womens FA Cup tie was played at Edgar Street and it's Hereford that go through to the next round after defeating Bath City 2-1.
Here's a match report from Bath City:
Bath City Women exited the FA Cup at the first hurdle for a third season running.
Nell Bloomfield fired the Romans ahead before Sheree Smith levelled.
Mylie Jordan netted the winner just after half-time for the hosts at MandM Edgar Street.
Despite late pressure and a spirited display, Matt Abreu’s team couldn’t take the tie to penalties.
Tianna Chant blasted over inside a minute for Hereford and debutant keeper Lucy Clay denied Robyn Mear from a tight angle after the midfielder charged down her clearance.
City took the lead on 19 minutes with a well-worked goal. Tara Taylor escaped down the right, pulled it back to Bloomfield who smartly steered into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Maddy Brown planted inches wide before Clay bravely prevented Jordan as she burst through.
The six-minute stoppage for treatment hindered City’s momentum and they conceded on 35 minutes.
Home keeper Hannah Pritchard found Emily Ewing on the left, she played inside to Smith who controlled well and expertly rounded Clay before tapping home.
Brown went close twice and Poppy Spratt’s 30-yarder was spilled by Pritchard, who was fortunate to see it bounce wide.
Hereford got off to a dream start in the second half when they penned City back and Smith laid off for Jordan, who curled over Clay from outside the box.
Jasmine Rennie shot too close to Pritchard as the Romans pushed but struggled to make inroads until the closing stages.
Taylor was denied by Pritchard after an initial error from the goalkeeper and substitute Emma Vilday was snuffed out by the home defence after openings arrived for Abreu’s side.
City sent centre-backs Abby Gray and Rosie Burridge forward to try and force a leveller, but Hereford were resolute to claim a place in the 2nd Qualifying Round.
Scorers: City – Bloomfield (19); Hereford – S Smith (34), Jordan (47)
Second Half Pictures From Darlington
A selection of pictures from the second half of yesterday's game between Darlington and Hereford.
Highlights: Darlington v Hereford
Highlights of yesterday's game between Darlington and Hereford are on line.
Hereford Women Through To Next Round Of FA Cup
Hereford Women are through to the next round of the FA Cup.
They defeated Bath City Women 2-1 at Edgar Street this afternoon. The attendance was 92.
Info on the game from Bath.
Bath took the lead in the 19th minute. Nell Bloomfield from 25 yards.
On 34 minutes Sheree Smith equalised for Hereford. Emily supplied the cross from the left, Smith rounded the keeper and tapped into an empty net.
Just after the break Hereford took the lead. Smith provided and Jordan finished by lofting the ball over the Bath keeper.
Hereford had to defend well as the half went on but managed to hang on to their lead.
Afterwards Bath tweeted:
Congratulations to Hereford and we wish them good luck in the next round. City gave it everything, you can't ask for more. Just unfortunate this afternoon and football is a cruel game.
Sporting Khalsa Tickets
Ticket information for next Saturday's FA Cup tie between Sporting Khalsa and Hereford:
Bitemo Is Feeling Fine Said Hereford Chairman
Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds has tweeted that Preston Bitemo is feeling fine.
He was involved in an incident with the Darlington goalkeeper yesterday.
It looked as though the goalkeeper was trying to punch a ball away and unfortunately his fist caught Bitemo's head.
He fell to the ground and the referee called for the physio.
Bitemo appeared quite still for what must have been six or eight minutes. Eventually he was stretchered off.
Ammonds tweeted: 'Have exchanged messages with Preston Bitemo.
Pleased to report he says he’s feeling fine - aside from a sore head - after yesterday’s scary incident.
Has said he just needs to make sure he listens to our physio’s advice now!!'
Match Report - Darlington 1 Hereford 1
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| Sub Osborne's Strike Sailed Into The Back Of The New |
Harewood Bull watched Hereford draw at Darlington yesterday.
Stopping the rot?
While making our way up the A59 through the Yorkshire countryside the following thoughts ran through my head. Could the Bulls avoid conceding a goal in the first 15 minutes? Did we really have to fight off 7 other clubs to sign Montel Gibson, and would he prove to be the Full Monty or just another journeyman footballer? Most importantly, would there be a decent pie on offer today?
We arrived in plenty of time at Blackwell Meadows, which is a good set up, well organised and with friendly staff, reasonable facilities and a good playing surface. The Bulls made a change in attack, with Willo on the bench to allow Rem and Monty (isn’t that a TV show?) to work together up front. Richardson in goal, back four of Skinner, Howkins, Parker and Hudson. Central midfield had D’Ath and Richards with Sterling-James and Nto the wide players.
Hereford started encouragingly, moving the ball well. Nto got a couple of crosses in from the right with no-one on the end of them. On the other side Hudson got into some good crossing positions but the final ball didn’t trouble the home defence. D’Ath was busy in midfield, nothing spectacular but keeping everything moving and tightening up the centre when he had to – what the great old rugby commentator Bill McLaren used to call “doing the needful”.
Darlington had their chances, and Richardson had to make a smart save from Scott in the 12th minute. Maskell, the home number nine was a bit of a handful all afternoon. He’s a big strong guy and Howkins had a battle on his hands.
Campbell and Gibson have played together in the past, but the partnership wasn’t delivering very much on this occasion. Rem battled away as usual but Gibson was caught unnecessarily offside more than once.
On 26 minutes a well worked corner routine by the home side gave Main a tap in at the far post, but the flag was up for offside. A fortunate decision for the Bulls. Another corner was their undoing on 36 minutes. Before the kick was taken there was the usual pushing, shoving and grappling, with most of the players seemingly crammed into the six yard box. The ref intervened to tell them to pack it in, which was of course ignored, and when the corner finally came in there were appeals for a penalty as a Darlo player was wrestled to the ground. It didn’t matter as seconds later Maskell forced the ball home from close range to put the Quakers one nil up.
From then until half time the Bulls were under pressure but held out. The final act had Richardson saving comfortably from a curling free kick from MGowan.
Half Time: Darlington FC 1 Hereford FC 0
Darlington started the second half as they the finished the first, creating some good chances. The Bulls survived a penalty appeal when substitute Rutledge had his shirt pulled, and Cedric Main’s shot hit the upright on 61 minutes.
Caddis needed to do something and brought Osborne on for Nto and Williams for Gibson. Richards seemed to be carrying a knock and looked to me to be struggling but it was the 74th minute before he was replaced by Edwards. Between those substitutions D’Ath had a shot at the end of a good run that forced a save from the home keeper, and Williams curled a shot wide after a good break down the left by Parker.
An adjustment in defence moved the big West Brom loanee to left wing back and his obvious quality stood out with some surging runs down that flank. Hereford’s equaliser came from one of those runs, Parker’s ball into the middle found Osborne who scored with a classy finish with the outside of his foot.
Shortly after Richardson made another good save from Lennon.
Bitemo came on as a late substitute and was involved in a nasty collision with the Darlo keeper when challenging for a cross from Williams. He lay motionless on the pitch as he was attended to for some time by both team’s staff, surrounded by his concerned team mates, before being stretchered off. Paul Caddis said in his post match interview that Bitemo was conscious and seemed OK but had no memory of the incident. We all hope he suffered no serious damage and wish him all the best. Caddis also thought that it should have been a penalty – I think that’s debatable, both players were going for the ball.
When play resumed Parker made another good run before flashing a low ball across the goal with Williams unable to make a connection, and the game finished in a draw.
Full Time: Darlington FC 1 Hereford FC 1
Hereford: Richardson, Skinner, Parker, Howkins, Hudson, D’Ath, Richards (Edwards 74), Nto (Osborne 65), Sterling-James (Bitemo 89; Preston 90+14), Campbell, Gibson (Williams 65)
Subs: Lewis, Quansah
Darlington: Jameson, Barrow, Platt, Lees, Maskell, Main, Allan, Scott, Barton, McGowan, Stanton
Subs: Hedley, Kirokiro, Rutledge, Hopper, Lennon, McGrath
Paul Caddis said after the game that we have “stopped the rot” with now three games unbeaten. I think it’s too soon to get excited but there are signs of improvement, but we still lack a consistent goal threat. There were times when we faded from the game, but started and finished strongly, with as Caddis said, a lot more intensity. A bit more consistency is needed.
Men of the match – Richardson did well, Parker is obviously a class act and if we can secure an extension to his loan period that can only be a good thing, and D’Ath had a good ninety minutes.
And finally, to the pies. Mark Jones in one of his always entertaining match previews described me as the “pie loving northern correspondent” for Bulls News. That conjures up a fairly unflattering image, but good example of the pie maker’s art completes the match day experience for me. Darlo’s were very good – at least 8.5 out of 10. Substantial filling, good pastry and tasty gravy on top.
FA Cup next week!
COYW.
Harwood Bull
First Half Pictures From Darlington
Pictures from the first half of yesterday's game between Darlington and Hereford.
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| Montel Gibson |
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| Theo Richardson Palms The Ball To Safety |
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| Gibson |
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| Remaye Campbell Bundled To The Ground |
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| Michael Parker |
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| Captain Lewis Hudson Puts The Ball Into The Box |
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| Which Went Out For A Corner Taken By Sterling-James |
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| Kyle Howkins Got His Head On The Corner Ball |
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| Parker |
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| Lawson D'Ath |
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