National North Weekend Preview

This preview of tomorrow's games in the National North League was written by Richard Dorman from the National League.

There’s plenty on the line in the Enterprise National League North this weekend… time is running out and opportunities for important points are becoming more and more limited!

Some clubs are looking up, some are looking down… and handful know that a particularly brilliant run could pull them into the mix, or a desolate streak could drag them into a battle! So whether it’s the title race, the battle to stay in the play-off places or the scrap at the bottom, there are storylines all across Saturday’s fixture list.

The stand-out game may well be at Hereford, where the 21st-placed side host leaders South Shields. A sizeable gap on paper, but Hereford have picked up 10 points in four games and could climb out of the drop-zone for the first time since December if they can overturn the pace-setters.

Second-placed AFC Fylde are on home soil as they take on King’s Lynn Town. Fylde are right in the thick of the promotion picture and will be aiming to keep the pressure on, but King’s Lynn Town have shown their capabilities on the road this season; they picked up a creditable point at Scarborough in midweek.

Merthyr Town sit third going into the weekend and welcome Spennymoor Town. Despite a string of hit-and-miss results lately, the hosts remain very much part of the conversation at the top end, while Spennymoor are placed in mid-table and will be keen to prove they can disrupt one of the division’s best performers this season.

There’s another big game in the top seven picture at Kidderminster Town, where fourth plays 10th as Chester come to town. Harriers are well placed, but Chester are not so far away that they can’t still have designs on finishing the season strongly. Five wins from the last six outings has the Seals dreaming of a play-off campaign – only goal-difference keeps them out of the reckoning at present.

Scarborough Athletic against AFC Telford United looks one of the most finely-balanced fixtures of the day, with sixth taking on seventh. With so little between the sides, it could be a dress-rehearsal for a play-off meeting in a little over six-weeks’ time.

Macclesfield, in fifth, make the short hop to Curzon Ashton looking to strengthen their position in the play-off places. Curzon are down in 15th, winless in four, and almost equally far from both the play-offs and the relegation places as far as the points column is concerned.

Darlington are another side with reason to look upwards. They begin the weekend eighth and face bottom side Leamington, knowing a home win could help keep them firmly in the mix. For the Brakes, it is a first appearance in the dugout for new boss Scott Easterlow.

There’s a huge one at the foot of the table between Alfreton Town and Peterborough Sports. 22nd hosts 23rd, and while three points would be valuable at any stage of the season, both teams will sense a chance to deny their opponents some points too. Double the incentive.

Southport (16th) and Oxford City (20th) has both sides looking over their shoulder. The same goes for Bedford Town, who are 19th before taking on Radcliffe, with the visitors still sitting inside the top half and just goal-difference beneath the dotted line for play-off qualification.

Chorley and Buxton are separated by only three places and two points in the middle of the table; Marine’s meeting with Worksop Town also falls into that category of game where they both look set for another National League North season in 2026-27 – not that a big win wouldn’t change the feel of things! 

Downes Looks To Add To Squad

 

With so many games to play, four in the next eight days, Hereford manager Aaron Downes is likely to add to his squad.

"I think there is still a little bit of business to be done because there are going to be a lot of games in a short space of time," Downes told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"It's unheard of really. 

"I'm going to have to manage the squad well.

"One or two might have to come in just to boost numbers." 

Fans Forum Tonight

Quick reminder that Hereford FC are holding a Fans Forum at Edgar Street this evening.

Both manager Aaron Downes and his right hand man Harry Pell are set to be in attendance. 

The Forum is being held in the Hereford Suite starting at 7pm. and will be chaired by Chris Ammonds.

It is hoped the Forum will be live on YouTube. 

Happy Munday again on Saturday?

A big game for Hereford FC on Saturday then, as they host league leaders and championship favourites South Shields, a side who’ve topped the table from the very start of the season.

Full-time Shields were promoted to the NLN two seasons ago, and seemed to have the profile (well supported, healthy financial backing) to suggest that they’d immediately go up again and push for advancement into the Football League. That didn’t happen, and 8th and 17^th-placed finishes since promotion suggested that they’d found their level.

That notion has been firmly left behind this season, with star striker Paul Blackett on 22 league goals, but for once his goals aren’t the only show in town. Strike partner Cedwyn Scott, who joined the club in the summer from Carlisle for a fee, has also been scoring freely with 17. He’s been out since February though.

However, as big a factor in their success so far has been the concession of just 30 goals in their 36 games. To put that into perspective, Merthyr in third position have conceded 66.

Ian Watson replaced Eliott Dickman as manager in the summer and has completely transformed the fortunes of the club. He oversees a young side, with an average age of 24, but the youngsters are showing no signs of letting the pressure of topping the table get to them.

In October Hereford were unlucky to come away from the northeast with nothing in a 2-1 loss. Mike Parker had a good game that day and is of course no longer around, but despite that the squad is now far stronger than it was then, so there’s plenty to be hopeful about.

So Shields may be the league leaders, but there will be very few fixtures they’d less like to play than Hereford away at the moment, given the Bulls recent form and recovery. They’ll make the long trip south on Friday fully aware that the Bulls’ league position is rapidly starting to look like something of a nonsense.

It would appear to be an absolute given that Freddy Willcox will be the best defensive midfielder on the pitch. His positional awareness on Tuesday night, allowing him to be the ‘out ball’ seemingly for virtually all his teammates regardless of where they were playing, was astonishing. Even more so given that he’s only 20. If Hereford have any aspirations to get back to the right end of the table next season, the Worcester-born playmaker is the sort of player they need to bring in as a key component of the spine of the side.

He allowed the side to keep possession, ably assisted by an impressive Keziah Martin, forcing Leamington to waste energy chasing the ball. It’s unlikely that the hosts will enjoy such a share of possession on Saturday, but what’s now long gone as a tactic is to boot the ball vaguely in the direction of a blameless and isolated Remaye Campbell, allowing opposition defenders to easily mop up and launch attack after attack. Hereford now have the players to keep the ball, and this should be a very entertaining encounter between two footballing sides.

Suddenly the Bulls are scoring. 13 in four games, and one of those games was 0-0. George Munday now has five in seven, and Willo has two in two. Mikey Lane has the bustling energy of a Duracell bunny who’s had too much coffee, and, like Jason Cowley, has that incessant presence that defenders find distinctly irritating and mistake-inducing. He’ll hopefully get off the mark here.

So, there’s now an attacking threat, but that mainly comes from the fact that the attackers have something to feed off, with players such as Cormac Daly and Harry Tustin skipping directly through or round the back of defences. Previously, a Hereford ‘attack’ comprised long balls or lethargic lateral passing across the pitch in the vague hope of finding an opening. Now there’s purpose and a belief that an opening can proactively be manufactured, on the floor and at pace. I can’t remember the last time a Hereford goal looked utterly inevitable in the way that Harrison Sohna’s on Tuesday did in the minutes before he scored it.

On a more cautionary note, Leamington’s defending was poor whereas South Shields’ won’t be. Also, there’s still seemingly an element of panic in the Hereford defence when they’re faced with pacy counterattacks. Obviously the goal conceded on Tuesday was poor, avoidable and reminiscent of so much Hereford defending that’s gone before it this season, but there were several other moments too when a better side, a side such as Saturday’s visitors, would have capitalised on the uncertainty at the back much more mercilessly. It would be surprising if Aaron Downes isn’t looking to spend the budget freed up by Adam Rooney’s departure on a new centre back. He’s got until the end of the month before the seasonal deadline. He’s also got some negotiating to do with Cheltenham in order to extend the stays of Willcox and Tustin.

Heavy rain on Thursday evening doesn’t seem to have been enough to trigger that dreaded phrase ‘pitch inspection’, and, given the upturn and goalfests, Aaron Downes and his players should be rewarded with a 3000 crowd here.

COYW

Highlights Hereford v Leamington

 

Highlights of last Tuesday's game between Hereford and Leamington are now online.

Go to: https://herefordfc.co.uk/2026/03/highlights-hereford-fc-5-1-leamington-fc/ 

3/1 For A Hereford Win Over South Shields On Saturday

Andy Williams Scored For Hereford Against South Shields Last Season

Currently the bookmakers are offering prices of around 3/1 for Hereford to defeat table-topping South Shields on Saturday.

Last Tuesday Hereford defeated Leamington 5-1 whilst South Shields drew 1-1 at Chorley (14th). 

Hereford's home record is won 5, drawn 3 and lost 5.

South Shields's away record is won 10, drawn 6 and lost 2.

As for goal difference Hereford's is minus 10, South Shields's is plus 50. 

Recent form:

Hereford WLWDWW

South Shields DWWWWD

Hereford 3/1  Draw 14/5  South Shields 16/19 

Badges On Sale At South Shields Match

A large selection of HFC pin badges will be on sale pre match this Saturday v South Shields. The badges pictured are available at £1 or £4 each ( cash only ) from a sales point in front of the matchday ticket office. All net proceeds go directly to HFC.

Rooney Instrumental In Bringing Munday To Hereford

 

Former Hereford assistant manager Adam Rooney played a large part in bringing young striker George Munday to Hereford.

Speaking after Tuesday's game against Leamington, Munday was asked how his move had come about.

"Adam Rooney actually," said Munday.

"He's been keeping tabs on me, he's been watching me since the start of the season.

"It was around August time I think, he knows one of the players at Cambridge, Korey Smith.

"Korey Smith kept telling me Hereford are interested but obviously it's so far for me, it's a lot of travelling, three hours to get here tonight.

"I said a full season of that would be difficult and a big risk.

"I went to Bedford and the opportunity came again and I spoke to Adam Rooney and he was really eager to get me on board.

"So I looked at this and thought the amount of games and the project and it's such a big club as well and playing in front of that many thousands.

"For me if it wasn't for the travel it would have been a no-brainer anyway.

"A big thank you to Adam Rooney for bringing me in and when I came in for the first few weeks he was really good with me as well.

"So I wish him all the best at Kings Lynn.

"That's how it came about."

Munday's first goal at Edgar Street was in front of the Meadow End.

"Scoring goals, there's no feeling like it in football especially for a striker.

"It's what you are judged on at the end of the day.

"To score in front of that many here is an incredible feeling.

"It makes me hungry to score more." 

After The Final Whistle At Edgar Street On Tuesday Evening

Kit Man Dan Pace With Three Match Balls For Striker George Munday

After defeating Leamington 5-1 on Tuesday evening, Hereford players and staff thanked supporters for turning out for the first home game at Edgar Street for two months.

THROWBACK THURSDAY | Hereford United 5-1 Rochdale - 12th March 1994

Goals galore at Edgar Street, Chris Pike (2) Howard Clark, Colin Anderson and Tim Steele earn the 3 points. Two angles as well of the goals.

Hereford 1 Judge 2 Clark 3 Anderson 4 Davies 5 Abraham 6 Reece 7 Hall 8 Steele 9 Pike 10 Pickard 11 Downs Sub Preedy Rochdale 1 Hodge 2 Bowden 3 Graham 4 Reid 5 Reeves 6 Butler 7 Stuart 8 Doyle 9 Lancaster 10 Whitehall 11 Flounders Subs Milner, Oliver Attendance 1,964

News round up

National League Scunthorpe United have signed winger Pat Jones from Chester for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.

The 22-year-old spent most of this season with National League Chester after joining from League Two Exeter City in 2024–25.

Jones previously came through the academy at Huddersfield Town, where he made 18 senior appearances.

King’s Lynn Town have signed striker Carlton Ubaezuonu from Scunthorpe United for an undisclosed fee on a multi-year deal.

The 27-year-old, who scored the winning goal in Scunthorpe’s play-off final last season, made 36 appearances and netted six times this campaign.

Linnets boss Paul Caddis described him as “a magnificent signing”, adding the forward brings “experience, character and work ethic” as the club pushes for survival in National League North.

Curzon Ashton midfielder Alex Curran has signed a new two-year contract to extend his stay at the club until 2028.

The number eight, who rejoined from Macclesfield FC in February 2025, has made more than 100 appearances and scored 15 goals this season.

Head coach Mark Bradshaw said Curran is an “outstanding player” whose contribution has earned the long-term deal.

Hereford Launch Mini Season Ticket

 

Hereford have launched a mini season ticket.

The ticket will cover ten games starting with Saturday's game against table topping South Shields.

The cost is £180 for a adult seated ticket, £157.50 for an adult terrace ticket. 

The games are:

South Shields (Sat 14th March)
AFC Fylde (Tue 17th March)
Spennymoor (Tue 24th March)
Buxton (Sat 28th March)
Macclesfield (Tue 31st March)
Merthyr (Mon 6th Apr)
Oxford City (Tue 14th Apr)
Radcliffe (Sat 18th Apr)
Marine (Tue 21st Apr)
Peterborough Sports (Sat 25th Apr) 

More details: https://herefordfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/ten_game_ticket 

Second Half Pictures Hereford v Leamington

A selection of pictures from last night's game at Edgar Street between Hereford and Leamington.

New Manager For Leamington

Leamington have a new manager.

Following a lengthy process, the Leamington FC Board of Directors are delighted to announce Leamington born and bred Scott Easterlow as the club’s new First Team Manager. 

Scott joins from local rivals Racing Club Warwick, where he has managed over 300 games, guiding the club to two promotions as well as reaching a Birmingham Senior Cup Final in that time.

He will be supported by Callum Ingram as Assistant Manager and Gary Ingram as First Team Coach - both UEFA B Licensed Coaches.  

On his appointment, Scott said “I’m delighted to be appointed as Manager at Leamington. I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead, hopefully we are able to achieve lots of success together.”

The Board of Directors felt a change in direction was needed to take the club into the post-Paul Holleran era and look forward to supporting Scott in the remaining weeks of the season as he builds for the 2026/27 campaign. 

The club massively thanks Chris Knott and Lewis Marston for taking over from Paul Holleran in difficult circumstances. Their efforts have been hugely appreciated.

Scott and his management team will take training on Thursday night and their first game in charge will be at Darlington on Saturday, with their first home game being next Tuesday against Buxton.

First Half Pictures Hereford v Leamington

A few pictures from the first half of last night's game at Edgar Street.

Marches Ambulance Service Rated 'Good'

Steve Wright is on the left with the blue jacket, Simon Jenkins on the Right

The Marches Ambulance Service has been given a 'good' rating after a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

The service provides medical cover for Hereford FC. 

Marches Ambulance Service is proud to announce that it has been rated “Good” overall by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following its recent inspection, with the outcome formally recorded on 23 February 2026. 

The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care services in England and assesses providers against national standards to ensure services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Achieving a “Good” rating confirms that Marches Ambulance Service is meeting these standards in the delivery of its healthcare services. Marches Ambulance Service provides a multitude of services including patient transport, event medical services, high dependency transfers and medical repatriations.

The rating reflects the hard work and commitment of the organisation’s clinicians, responders and support staff, who deliver medical support and healthcare services to communities, organisations and events across the region. 

Steve Wright, Operations Director, said: “Achieving a ‘Good’ rating from the CQC is something the whole team should be incredibly proud of. It reflects the dedication, professionalism and care that our staff bring to their roles every single day. From frontline clinicians and responders through to our operations and support teams, everyone has played a part in building a safe, high-quality service. This recognition from the CQC is a real credit to their hard work.” 

Simon Jenkins, Managing Director & CQC Registered Manager, added: “The CQC inspection process is thorough and demanding, so achieving this outcome demonstrates the strength of the systems and culture we have developed as an organisation. We remain focused on continuous improvement and ensuring that patients, clients and partners can have confidence in the care we provide.” The organisation says the rating marks an important milestone in its development, while reinforcing its commitment to maintaining high standards of clinical governance, safety and patient centred care.  

Munday Makes Midweek National North League Team

 

Hat-trick hero George Munday has been selected to be in the National North League Midweek Team.

It was the 19 year old's first senior hat-trick and the first for a Hereford players since Sterling-James hit three in November against Curzon Ashton. 

Back At Edgar Street

Back at Edgar Street for Hereford FC last night.

The pitch was looking good, there was a very big guard of honour, a decent crowd for a Tuesday evening and it was manager Aaron Downes's first game at 'home'.

Some pictures from before kick-off.