Merthyr Sold Out

December 30th

Hereford's away game at Merthyr on December 30th is sold out.

Merthyr say they expect the gate to be 'almost 4,000'.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm. 

 

Edgar Street pitch passes Christmas Eve inspection

A heavily sanded area at the corner of the Meadow End and Len Weston Stand when Hereford played Radcliffe

A qualified referee has inspected the Edgar Street pitch ahead of the Boxing Day derby against Kidderminster Harriers.

Hereford said the official was in regular contact with Boxing Day's referee Sam Read throughout the process.

After the check, both "were satisfied with the condition of the playing surface", the club said and there is no need for a formal pitch inspection before kick-off.

In his programme notes for the derby, Hereford chair Chris Ammonds praised groundsman Ben Bowen for his work.

"We’ve faced some real challenges with the playing surface, and Ben has worked tirelessly to keep it in the best possible condition," he said.

"He even dragged me, George [Webb] and Darren [Ball] out last weekend to help with a bit of forking and sanding on the worst areas!

"It’s been hard graft and a few sleepless nights, but his commitment to the club has been outstanding."

The state of the surface has been a talking point recently following work to address drainage problems in one area of the pitch. New drains have been installed and further work carried out, including verti-draining, sand dressing and even an 'earthquake' machine used as part of efforts to improve conditions.

Those issues were clear during Hereford’s FA Trophy tie with Radcliffe earlier this month. Four large sanded patches were visible on the pitch and, although the surface passed a morning inspection, Radcliffe raised concerns about the condition from a safety perspective.

It is understood the pitch issues stem partly from drainage work in 2013, when drains were installed deeper than recommended and not always surrounded by the correct stone. More recently, floodlight installation machinery compacted the surface, while last summer’s dry weather has limited how effectively recent rain reaches the drains.

Boxing Day National North League Preview

Flares At Edgar Street Last Season When Kidderminster Were The Visitors

 This preview was written by Tom Scott from the National League.

Sick of the sight of the turkey and trimmings? Get stuck into the Boxing Day feast of Enterprise National League North action instead!

Chorley notched their first win in four last time out but face a tough ask to follow it up with a trip to AFC Fylde.

Leaders South Shields know a shock at Mill Farm could see them extend their lead at the summit. A win against Spennymoor Town could see them five clear by teatime.

Merthyr are keeping a close eye on the top two and will put some pressure on in the early kick-off at Oxford City with a win.

Macclesfield make an emotional return after the tragic passing of Ethan McLeod earlier this month - Buxton are their visitors.

You'd have to go way back to October for the last time Southport tasted defeat - play-off place chasers Marine are up next for the in-form Port.

Kidderminster Harriers head to Edgar Street knowing they have won four of the last five meetings with Hereford - a win on Boxing Day could see them enter the title talk.

After almost two months without a league defeat Chester lost to South Shields last time out and will look to bounce back at AFC Telford United.

Leamington's last home league win came way back in September. Can they close out 2025 with a much-needed three points against Bedford Town.

Darlington head to Scarborough Athletic while Alfreton Town head to fellow strugglers Worksop Town.

After going winless in November, Radcliffe are back up and running. 

Last time out saw a sublime Rio Clegg goal help them over the line against Leamington ahead of their Boxing Day trip to Curzon Ashton who have just one win in four at home of late.

Elsewhere it's three defeats on the spin for Peterborough Sports who head to The Walks to face a King's Lynn Town side who have only lost once since the start of November. 

Warning issued to Harriers supporters ahead of Boxing Day derby

Kidderminster Harriers fans who have been banned from Aggborough will also be banned from the Boxing Day derby at Edgar Street.

Harriers said supporters who are currently subject to a banning order from Aggborough Stadium should be aware that host clubs may choose to extend this ban to their own premises. In that instance, fans should not attempt to purchase a ticket and/or enter on the day as they will be denied entry.

The Worcestershire club, currently sitting fourth in National League North having beaten top sides South Shields and AFC Fylde recently, said bans will extend to Hereford FC. Those banned have been told not to travel to Edgar Street on the day as they will not be permitted entry.

The message comes with demand high for the local derby, with more than 700 tickets sold for the away end. A crowd approaching 4,000 is expected when the two sides meet on Friday.

Hereford fans will be desperate to see an improved performance from their side, but most importantly, points on the board. The Bulls have dropped into the relegation zone on goal difference after Saturday's 4-2 defeat at Chorley and have 20 points from 19 games - while their Boxing Day opponents have 37 points from 22 games.

Harriers also reinforced a strong message regarding supporter conduct, reminding fans of their responsibilities when following the team both home and away.

The club stressed that while the vast majority of supporters back the team with “incredible dedication, passion and loyalty”, a small minority have engaged in antisocial behaviour, leading to bans — some for life.

Harriers warned that under FA rules, clubs are accountable for the behaviour of their supporters at both home and away fixtures, with potential sanctions including fines, points deductions and capacity restrictions. The club confirmed it is already facing FA investigations relating to flares, pitch incursions and the throwing of objects.

Chairman Richard Lane urged supporters to back the team “loudly and passionately” but within the law, stressing that Kidderminster Harriers remains a family club at the heart of the community.

Seats starting to sell out for Kidderminster clash

Seating tickets are starting to sell out for Hereford's Boxing Day clash with Kidderminster.

Blocks A, B and C of the Merton Stand are all sold out, while there are just a handful left in Block G of the Len Weston Stand, and the Executive Club.

As of 10.30am today (Christmas Eve), Hereford said over 3,750 tickets had been sold.

If you haven't got yours yet, you can buy them here. 

Badges On Sale At Kidderminster Match

A large selection of HFC pin badges will be on sale pre match ( until 2-50 pm ) on Boxing Day. The badges pictured are available at £1 or £4 each ( cash only ) from a sales point in front of the matchday ticket office. As usual all net proceeds go directly to HFC. 

News Round Up

Former Hereford United striker Steve Guinan is 50 today. And current midfielder Lawson D'Ath is 33 today

Hereford's Stadium Announcer Matt Healey has returned to YourHerefordshire as a director. Expect more Hereford FC content.

Hereford are hoping for a 4,000 plus crowd for the visit of Kidderminster on Boxing Day. As of this morning the club says over 3,750 tickets have been sold. 

Kidderminster's allocation is sold out but Hereford supporters can purchase online, cheaper, or at the ticket office on the day. 

 

Hereford 15/8 To Defeat Kidderminster On Boxing Day

 

Perhaps surprisingly, given Hereford's recent form, the bookmakers are only offering prices are around 15/8 for a home win against Kidderminster at Edgar Street on Boxing Day.

Last year Kidderminster won the game at Hereford 3-0.

Currently Kidderminster are 4th in the National North League table with 37 points from 22 games. Hereford are in the relegation zone with 20 points from 19 games.

Last Saturday Hereford were away at Chorley (11th) and lost the game 4-2. Kidderminster defeated AFC Fylde (2nd) 1-0 at home.

Hereford's home record is won 2, drawn 3 and lost 3. In those games they have scored just 12 goals and let in 15.

Kidderminster's away form is won 4, drawn 4 and lost 3, scoring 12 and conceding 12. 

Recent League form:

Hereford  DLLDWL

Kidderminster LDLWWW 

Hereford 15/8  Draw 12/5  Kidderminster 4/3

Graham Turner's First Contract With Hereford United

It's amazing what one can find on the internet.

Yesterday Matt Healey came across former Hereford United manager Graham Turner's first contract with the club. It was signed by director Robin Fry.

It was for the season 1995/96. 

Here are some of the clauses in it.

'You are employed as Director of Football directly responible to the Board of Directors for all aspects of the efficient administration and performance of football at the club. This shall include but not limited to:

a) The selection of players, subject to the financial approval of the board.

b) The selection and number of coaches, subject to the financial approval of the board.

You are required to carry out all functions necessary to achieve these objectives, together with such other functions as the Board of Directors may request.

Duration of Contract:

The date of commencement of your employment with Hereford United Football Club is August 1st 1995 and you are employed for a fixed term of ten months expiring on May 31st 1996. There is no right of renewal either expressed or implied.

Remuneration:

Your salary of the term of this contract is £40,000 payable in ten equal installments monthly in arrears. Salaries will be paid on the last working day of the month by credit transfer into your bank account. In addition a sum equivalent to 10% of your gross monthly salary will be paid by the club into an authorised pension scheme of your choice. 

In February 1996 Turner's contract was extended for a further four years.  He had been living in Sutton Coldfield but, given the extension, he moved to Carey Court in Herefordshire.  

Don't be fooled: Hereford are a wounded animal

Hereford's starting XI at Chorley on Saturday

Kidderminster Harriers manager Adam Murray has warned his side not to underestimate Hereford ahead of the Boxing Day derby at Edgar Street, insisting the Bulls’ league position does not reflect their performances.

Murray was quick to play down the idea that Hereford will be easy opponents, describing Paul Caddis’s side as “a wounded animal” — often the toughest to play against.

“Don’t be fooled by probably things that you hear and maybe the position of the table, because when you actually watch the games they’re not playing bad at all,” Murray said. “We’ve got to be really mindful of that.”

He stressed the importance of the game, placing it above other recent matches on Kidderminster’s schedule which have included wins against the division's top sides AFC Fylde and South Shields.

“It’s a massive game for us. For me, it’s bigger than Fylde and it’s bigger than South Shields. One, because it’s the next one; two, because it’s a local derby; and three, because they’re a wounded animal and they’re always the toughest games.”

While Murray looks for consistency, he said his side are in a “really good position” as they sit fourth, 12 points behind leaders South Shields.

Hereford go into the clash in the relegation zone on goal difference, picking up 20 points from 19 games in what is becoming a torrid season. Having been beaten 4-2 by Chorley on Saturday after four unbeaten, Murray believes the Bulls' performances have been stronger than results suggest.

“If we’re not better than we were at Fylde then we’ll have a really tough game on Friday,” he warned. “We need to double down on everything. We need to make sure we’re fully focused.”

In the interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester's sports editor Trevor Owens, Murray highlighted the impact of crowds at Aggborough, where attendances have averaged 2,614 this season.

“For us to go into a local derby where we’re taking unbelievable support… then to come back home in the mode we’re in, it’s an exciting time,” he said. “There’s not a better place to go into a fight than a local derby.”

With pride, points and bragging rights on the line, both sides will expect a fiercely contested Boxing Day encounter.

Harriers have sold out their allocation of around 700 tickets, and the total attendance could creep up towards 4,000 - though it's unlikely to be as high as the 4,925 that watched Kidderminster comfortably beat Hereford 3-0 last December.

Boreham Wood Chairman Slams National League And DAZN Stupidity

Last weekend Boreham Wood played Carlisle. In fact the game took place late last Sunday afternoon meaning, given the distance, away fans didn't get back to Carlisle until 2am.

Here's part of what the Boreham Wood chairman, Danny Hunter, wrote in his programme notes.

'Anyway, back to tonight and the visit of the 1974 Division 1 leaders in Carlisle United, plus the first league visit of their incredible supporters. Their Manager is none other than the legendary Mark ‘Sparky’ Hughes. It’s fair to say that back in the day, I would loyally follow both Hughsie and Chelsea up and down the country and on occasion even up Wembley way itself, “what a special player he was”….

That was a lifetime ago and we are now in a very different social and streaming era, an era that tramples on common sense and cares nothing for the attending supporter. As such, I want to repeat myself and give the warmest of welcomes to Carlisle’s amazing travelling supporters. As a long-standing Chairman of a National League club, I can only apologise to Carlisle fans and every away supporter for DAZN and the National League’s recent stupidity, and especially in putting this game on at 4pm on the last Sunday before Christmas. To disregard the away fans, who will be lucky to be home by 2am tonight is dangerous, could be the beginning of the end for the travelling supporter and it’s absolutely scandalous.

Once again the National League Board have refused to meet me to discuss things, surprise surprise which is frustrating, but I’ll keep trying to meet them on the little man’s behalf, and I’ll try to ask them for a more common sense approach toward both supporters and clubs and try to find some common ground on how we best implement a streaming deal that can work better for all parties.

However, that’s for another day, and as we are the last game of DAZN’s “Nightmare of Christmas” I hope that both teams give the attending fans exactly what we want, that being a brilliant, exciting and attacking game, and no matter who you support this evening, may I genuinely wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas and more importantly a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.'

Boreham Wood won the game 2-0.  

Bumper crowd expected on Boxing Day despite the Bulls' misfortunes

Despite Hereford having a torrid season so far, a bumper crowd is expected for the derby clash with Kidderminster on Boxing Day.

The club has confirmed that over 3,500 tickets have been sold so far.

The away end - which includes Block F - has completely sold out meaning that Kidderminster are expected to bring around 700 fans.

Hereford have an average attendance of 2,546 this season, with the highest gate being 2,854 against King's Lynn, the opening home game.

You can buy your Kidderminster tickets here.

News Round Up

Weymouth Football Club have confirmed that it has parted company with First Team Manager Steve Claridge by mutual agreement.

Training was suspended at Wolves after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the pitch. An investigation was launched and after a complete analysis, experts determined that the white substance unknown to the players was the Goal Line. 

Three Champion League Sides have reported big operating losses.  Norwich lost £39M, Bristol City lost £22M and Derby £21M.

Hereford supporters can claim a free pint of Guinness on Boxing Day by scanning a QR code when arriving at Edgar Street.

Kidderminster given Block F for Boxing Day match

Kidderminster have been given Block F of the Len Weston Stand for the Boxing Day match with Hereford.

The Worcestershire side had already sold out their initial allocation.

As for the home end, there are still plenty of tickets available, although Blocks B and C of the Merton Stand could soon sell out. 

You can purchase your tickets here. 

Match Pictures Chorley v Hereford

A selection of pictures from the first half of Saturday's game between Chorley and Hereford.

 

Match Highlights Chorley v Hereford

 

Highlights from last Saturday's game between Chorley and Hereford are available to watch.

Please go to:  https://herefordfc.co.uk/2025/12/highlights-chorley-4-2-hereford-fc/

Darlington game rearranged as Hereford face 16 games in eight weeks

Jack Holmes playing for Hereford against Darlington at Edgar Street in 2022

Darlington will now travel to Edgar Street on Tuesday 17th February.

The North East side had been due to make the long trip south on Saturday 10th January but due to Hereford's continued involvement in the FA Trophy, the game had to be rearranged.

Hereford now host AFC Fylde in the fourth round that day.

It means in the eight weeks from 3rd January to 28th February, Hereford have 16 games.

View the full, updated fixtures and results list here.

Hereford's allocation at Merthyr sold out

Hereford fans at Merthyr in December 2017

All tickets for Hereford fans at Merthyr have now been sold.

According to the online ticket sales platform on Merthyr's website, the away end has now sold out for the all-ticket game on Tuesday 30th December, with kick off at Penydarren Park set for 7.45pm.

The away end shown as sold out at 9am on 22nd December

Hereford's allocation was 680 tickets (600 terrace and 80 seats).

With tickets going on sale on a first-come-first-served basis last Sunday, Merthyr have since contacted fans they believe to be from Hereford who have bought tickets in the home end.

Often, under ground regulations, this is forbidden and bookings could be cancelled.

Match Report: Chorley 4 Hereford 2

 

 

I do like Chorley. As a town and as a football venue. The football ground is old fashioned, nicely dishevelled but weather proof, has proper pies and is a short walk from the centre. The town centre itself is compact, close to the station and with a vibrant beer culture. What's not to like? 

Saying all that, I wasn't going. Saturday before Christmas is normally a difficult one to get around, a combination of over exuberant yuletide revellers and stressed travellers with hordes of cases, so my plan was to enjoy a long Friday afternoon in the pub without having to worry about an early Saturday morning start. 

The long Friday afternoon in the pub happened, during which I received a text from my normal travelling companion, he had also previously said Chorley was a non starter. You all know how this works …. not going, not going, definitely not going ….. I suppose we could consider it …… 

So it was just before 6am when I left my house. Far too bloody early, though I was aware enough to cross the main road not at the zebra (see previous reports mentioning this pointless but relentlessly adhered to superstition). At least it's a direct train from Cardiff to Manchester and it was one of those nice long locos with first class, no need to consider an upgrade as it was quieter for over half the journey in the front carriage. My mate joined at Hereford,  his 7am train from Ledbury not cancelled at the last minute this time, we rolled into Piccadilly just after 1015. 

We decided to swerve the chaos of Manchester city centre and their version of the modern phenoma that is the faux Christmas markets (bah humbug) and catch a connection to Chorley immediately. An interesting trip past the eclectic surroundings of central Manchester and Salford, canals, flyovers, decaying buildings, grand victorian red brick edifices and a whole variety of modern blocks of flats, some look great, some scary, some, frankly, just plain ugly, perhaps depends on your architectural outlook. I mentioned Christmas travellers with their hordes of cases above and we (hopefully) helped two lost and bewildered ladies, clearly just arrived from Mumbai who'd got on the wrong train at the airport. They wanted to get to Sheffield not Blackpool (our train's destination), last seen explaining their predicament to a railway member of staff at Bolton station, I hope they get to South Yorkshire by Thursday! 

Once in Chorley we found a cafe for some much needed food before our first pub stop, the Bob Inn, which is situated among stalls and food outlets in the traditional covered market. A quick trawl round the Malt n Hops (proper classic pub), Ronnie's Bar, Ben's Brewery (where we met two travelling London Bulls) and back to the Bob Inn, it won the award of best venue of the day, a high bar (sorry). 

The short walk to Victory Park took a little longer than expected as, with segregation in place, we had to walk a fairly long way round to the away entrance. The game was just kicking off as I wandered in, first stop was for a butter pie (legendary local culinary product) and I was still scoffing it when we conceded our all too customary early goal. Again, as last week and on other occasions,  it looked just a bit too easy, an uncontested cross found a Chorley forward in space for a routine finish.

I'd not even worked out our starting 11 by then either, for the record it was: Richardson, Skinner, Hudson, Quansah (Preston on the bench), Howkins, Mafuta, D'Ath, White, Osborne, Hamilton, Williams in our regular 4231 formation.  

It could have got worse, Richardson was called on to make several saves, in one short spell he tipped the ball over the bar three times to keep the scoreline respectable. Chorley, supposedly low on confidence after a poor run of results, were finding space and time far too easily.  

Gradually we did get into the game, Osborne shot narrowly wide but it was against the run of play when we levelled halfway through the first period; good play from Hamilton gave Williams a sight of goal and his effort looped over the keeper (I assume via a deflection). 

The remainder of the half was far more even, I might even venture to say we looked the more likely, Mafuta created one good opportunity and 5 minutes before the break Osborne headed home at the back post to put us in front. Except the flag was up for offside, I guess that's why he was in so much space but hard to be sure from the far end. 

In our first visit to the Bob Inn we'd had a chat to two Chorley fans, a typical self deprecating conversation between lower league football fans trying to outdo each other on who was the poorer team (I can't imagine it works that way when you get Chelsea and Manchester City fans having a similar discussion). One grumble from us was we'd been all too consistent in our slow starts albeit with better second half performances (think Chester, Peterborough, Alfreton recently for example), so to be level at half time after another pretty gruesome start was possibly the portent for a successful end to our afternoon. Sadly, gruesome would prove to be the appropriate word for the next 15 minutes.  

Chorley started on the front foot and forced a couple of corners. From one of them they seemed to take an age to take it. Whether that was a deliberate ploy or not, it worked. Our defending at the backpost was non existent, an inexplicable free header putting the home side in front again. 

It got worse! We somehow survived the next ten minutes or so before we went further behind. Another good save from Richardson, but the ball wasn't cleared and again there seemed too much space allowing the time for a free shot to increase Chorley's lead. Richardson appealed vehemently,  perhaps for an offside, but to no avail. 

Five minutes later we were dead and buried, a nice move with two good passes and a fine finish across Richardson.  Again it all looked a bit too easy, with no pressure on the ball.

By this time many of the, perhaps 150, Bulls’ fans on the away terrace could no longer contain their frustration and loud chants of “we want Caddis out” were hardly a surprise. 

McFarlane and Nto came on for Mafuta and White as Chorley looked to turn a heavy defeat into an embarrassment.  Fortunately, their efforts turned more into holding onto their lead as we came more into the game, albeit far too late for a serious recovery. A Howkins header hit the bar and after a corner was partially cleared Williams picked his spot from 12 yards for a smart finish. 

 

We could have pinched another one to set up a grandstand finish but in reality we were well beaten, I struggle to pinpoint any particular reason or player but the number of times Chorley players found time and space made the game a difficult watch. Despite conceding 4 our man of the match was Richardson, which tells you everything. 

A tight travel schedule and not wishing to risk missing connections meant we felt we had to skip our post match wind down in a pub. Inn the Dog House across the road from the station will have be visited another time. I'd say next season, but we're back in the bottom four, there are noises about player departures (not just Omari), these are difficult days. 

Nonetheless, however poor this performance was, it was our first defeat for a while. Am I straw clutching? And some easy (gulp!) Christmas derbies in front of us. 

Just for the record I made it home just in time for Match of Day after three pretty packed but timely train journeys. A long day. At least my next away game, at Merthyr, is very local even if I can't get home on public transport after the game. 

COYB

Nigel Preece

Weather and Edgar Street pitch under focus ahead of Boxing Day derby

A heavily sanded area at the corner of the Meadow End and Len Weston Stand last weekend

Weather conditions and the Edgar Street pitch are likely to be watched closely in the days leading up to Hereford’s Boxing Day home game against Kidderminster Harriers.

The latest forecasts suggest a mixed run-up to Christmas, with cloud and some rain around early in the week before it turns cooler and drier closer to Christmas Day and Boxing Day. While no prolonged heavy rain is currently expected just before the match, the amount of rainfall already seen this month means the pitch will remain under pressure.

The state of the surface has been a talking point recently following work to address drainage problems in one area of the pitch. New drains have been installed and further work carried out, including verti-draining, sand dressing and even an 'earthquake' machine used as part of efforts to improve conditions.

Those issues were clear during Hereford’s FA Trophy tie with Radcliffe earlier this month. Four large sanded patches were visible on the pitch and, although the surface passed a morning inspection, Radcliffe raised concerns about the condition from a safety perspective.

The match went ahead as planned and was completed without incident, though Radcliffe did report a player rolled their ankle in one of the sandy areas, finishing 1-1 before the Bulls went through 4-2 on penalties.

Before the tie, Hereford chairman Chris Ammonds had stressed that, while the pitch might not look pristine, the improvements were “definitely looking much better”.

It is understood the pitch issues stem partly from drainage work in 2013, when drains were installed deeper than recommended and not always surrounded by the correct stone. More recently, floodlight installation machinery compacted the surface, while last summer’s dry weather has limited how effectively recent rain reaches the drains.

With a large crowd expected for the visit of local rivals Kidderminster on Boxing Day, attention will again be on how the pitch holds up in the days beforehand. As ever with winter fixtures, much will depend on the weather in the final 48 hours before kick-off.

Weather forecast: day by day

Sunday: Cloudy with outbreaks of rain or drizzle at times. Mild for the time of year with temperatures around 9C.

Monday: Mostly cloudy with the chance of occasional light rain. Temperatures remaining relatively mild, highs of 11C.

Tuesday: Another largely cloudy day, with patchy light rain possible but no heavy or prolonged rainfall expected with highs of 8C.

Wednesday (Christmas Eve): Turning cooler. Mainly dry, though still fairly cloudy in places. Highs of 8C and lows of 2C.

Thursday (Christmas Day): Drier and colder, with brighter spells expected. Overnight temperatures close to freezing, with a daytime high of 6C.

Friday (Boxing Day): Cold but largely dry, with some sunny intervals possible. Conditions currently look more settled than earlier in the week, with highs of 6C again.

Preece: Hereford were 'going the right way' then struggled to keep Chorley at bay

Chorley boss Andy Preece, left, with Paul Caddis

Chorley boss Andy Preece felt Hereford were going in the right direction, with Paul Caddis's side unbeaten in four before the trip to Lancashire.

But hope of a corner being turned was undone with the Bulls dealt a bruising blow in the 4-2 defeat.

While Evesham-born Preece felt it was a much-needed and well-deserved win in the end, he said it was always going to be a difficult game as Hereford have "been in good form".

"I've watched the last five or six games that they played and they've started to look like they're going the right way," the experienced gaffer told Chorley's YouTube channel after the game.

"Probably just the fact that they've got so many games in hand because of the pitches not being playable puts them in a false position, so we knew it'd be a difficult game.

"I thought we started very, very well, got the goal - really well worked goal - nice to see Anj [Anjola Popoola] get on the score sheet.

"Good movement, great ball by Milan [Lalkovič], missed the front man and Anj's got across his man to score. And then we had a fair few opportunities then to increase that lead and it was a really good 25 minutes by us."

While Hereford then came back into the game a little, with Andy Williams looping the ball over the keeper, Preece felt there could have been a foul in the build-up which made the side feel "aggrieved". 

But he admitted his side should have defended better and should have been in front at the break.

Preece then went on to say how his side were "really good, really, really good" in the second half and got on the front foot, tested the keeper, put balls in the box, kept the pressure up, took good set pieces, held the ball up well, threatening with wide players, strong midfielders winning second balls and centre-halves were strong and dominant centre-halves - not to mention "very good" kicks and clearances from the keeper.

Praising the team effort, he said Hereford were struggling to keep Chorley at bay and the second goal - quickly followed by the third and fourth - really boosted confidence.

The result was important for Chorley after a poor run, having won only won of their last five National League North matches.

They now lie 11th with 30 points from 22 games, ahead of second-placed AFC Fylde away on Boxing Day and mid-table Marine at home at Victory Park four days later.

Before The Game Kicked Off At Chorley

A number of pictures from before kick-off at Chorley yesterday afternoon. Considering it was the Saturday before Christmas there was a good turnout of support for Hereford.

Watching

Chorley Manager Andy Preece

'Six or seven' players leaving Edgar Street as new signings fall through

Hereford's squad could be seeing wholesale changes over the coming weeks, with Paul Caddis saying 'six or seven' players could be leaving.

After a humbling 4-2 defeat at Chorley, before an incredibly tough test against Kidderminster Harriers in the Boxing Day derby at Edgar Street, the gaffer said he had been trying to sign players from the National League - but the attempts were thwarted at the last minute.

While Omari Sterling-James's time at Edgar Street looks to be up as the board negotiates a fee for the 32-year-old winger, there could be other changes too.

With January approaching, loan spells are due to be up for a handful of players - with the Scot not hopeful of extending them.

Currently, Aston Villa's 20-year-old midfielder I-Lani Edwards, Sutton United'd 23-year-old winger Jaiden White and Solihull Moors' 22-year-old forward Callum McFarlane are in the final weeks of their deals which all expire in January.

Meanwhile, Madou Cisse, who appears to be training with Hereford despite a lengthy spell out injured, joined in the summer on a season-long loan from Notts County, with fellow midfielder Sam Osborne also due to be with Hereford for the rest of the campaign from Alfreton Town.

In the post-match interview with the press, BBC Hereford and Worcester's Carson Wishart asked Caddis whether a new face would be coming in as Sterling-James looks set to leave.

"Obviously we've got a lot of loans that are going to be up soon so we'll probably be looking at six or seven that will that will eventually [go]," he said.

"We've got a couple of players that are on non-contract that are attracting a bit of interest from full-time clubs.

"We've got a couple of players that are on loan that we won't be able to extend. 

"There'll be a bit of a shift. There's probably going to be six [or] seven bodies probably moving out in the next couple of weeks, which isn't ideal.

"However, it's the situation we're in, it's something that I can't do anything about, the club can't do anything about.

"There doesn't need to be any criticism thrown at the board or anything like that. It's just that's where we're at as a football club. As I keep saying, we're part-time. Players will move on. Players will go back to their loan clubs that we are well out of control of. We can't control that.

"So, we'll continue looking. We were hoping to to try and get one or two over the line from the level above, but just at the last minute they've got some full-time offers."

Away end close to selling out at Merthyr

Hereford fans at Merthyr in December 2017

There appear to be just 11 tickets left in the away end for Hereford's trip to Merthyr after Christmas.

According to the online ticket sales platform on Merthyr's website, just nine adult terrace tickets remain as of 11.45pm on Saturday, with two in the grandstand, for away fans.

Hereford's allocation was 680 tickets (600 terrace and 80 seats) for the game on Tuesday 30th December, with kick off at Penydarren Park set for 7.45pm.

With tickets going on sale on a first-come-first-served basis last Sunday, Merthyr have since contacted fans they believe to be from Hereford who have bought tickets in the home end.

Often, under ground regulations, this is forbidden and bookings could be cancelled.

On Saturday, the third-place Martyrs beat Curzon Ashton 2-1, while Hereford slipped into the bottom four with a 4-2 defeat at Chorley.

The South Wales club have the most prolific strike force in the league having scored 51 goals already this season in the league, two more than AFC Fylde in second and five more than leaders South Shields.

Meanwhile, Hereford have scored only 24 goals in the league so far, with only bottom sides Alfreton Town and Leamington worse off.

Merthyr will travel to struggling Oxford City on Boxing Day while the Bulls host high-flying Kidderminster Harriers.

Willo's First Goal At Chorley

Andy Williams scored two goals for Hereford this afternoon at Chorley.

The first after good work from Hamilton.