Match Report: Hereford FC 0-1 Hednesford Town

Man of the Match Cawley Cox 

Hereford FC v Hednesford Town in the Enterprise National League North.

Following the late draw at Bedford Town a fortnight ago the Bulls returned to the MandM Edgar Street Stadium to face newly promoted Hednesford Town.

After the draw at the Eyrie Stadium and the two week hiatus it allowed the returning Joe Willis and Fin Holmes to get more recovery time from their respective injuries to take their places on the bench along with Notts County loanee Kameron Muir following his cameo appearance off the bench in the second-half at Bedford. The only change came in attack with Cawley Cox taking the place of Danny Waldron whilst Ex-Bull Ahkeem Rose started for the Pitmen but Omari Stirling-James was absent following international duty with St Kitts and Nevis.

The Pitmen started on the front foot with a free-kick near the left hand touchline which was played into the box by Jamie Cooke onto the head of Aaron Jarvis who was free could only direct his header over the bar from close range.

Hereford had the first corner of the contest which was played short between Billy Phillips and Luke Spokes before the latter blasted high over from the right hand side of the box.

There was then a sequence of soft yellow cards given by referee Harry Warner to both Cawley Cox and Kyle Howkins after a passage of scrappy play.

On 18 minutes the visitors opened the scoring, a long ball was flicked on by new signing from Scunthorpe United Danny Whitehall before it was allowed to bounce on through to Jarvis who raced clear of Howkins and Will Merrett before smashing past Theo Richardson via a slight deflection.

Hereford responded with a free-kick by Spokes which was blocked by the wall before coming back to him and laying off to Kam Kandola who's thunderous drive was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Hednesford's Manchester United loanee keeper Will Murdock.

A scare for the Bulls was narrowly avoided after Joseph James attempted to play the ball back to Will Merrett but the Forest Green loanee wasn't aware that Whitehall was behind him which allowed the forward to nip in before seeing Richardson off his line and attempting to chip the ball over the Hereford No.1 who managed to scramble back in the nick of time to tip the ball over the bar.

Rose then found space on the right before firing into the gloves of Richardson from a tight angle before he had another go from a similar position but shanked his effort wide.

On 35 minutes Phillips tried his luck from 30-yards but it whistled high over the crossbar.

Shortly before half-time a cheap free-kick was conceded by Skinner after a push on Whitehall near the right corner flag, Rose floated the ball into the danger zone which didn't come to anything and the visitors saw the rest of the half out to take a slender lead into the interval.

Half-time: Hereford FC 0-1 Hednesford Town 

At the break Hereford made a change with Preston Bitemo making way for Harry Tustin.

A lapse of concentration at the back between Howkins and Merrett allowed Whitehall to pick up a loose ball but his lofted shot was safely into the clutches of Richardson.

Hereford almost equalised when Skinner did well on the left flank, fizzed the ball towards the front post where Iwunze’s flicked effort brought an instinctive point-blank save out of Murdock tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Hednesford with the lead started to sit further back with Hereford pinning them in their own half before they were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position but Whitehall drove his curler over the bar.

The Bulls continued to push in search of an equaliser but we're unable to break the visitors down before Holmes made his return from injury in place of Cox on 72 minutes.

With only two minutes of additional time announced Richardson was afforded the opportunity to advance into the visitors half but his lofted ball into the box evaded a white shirt and Hednesford saw the remainder of the game to inflict the first home defeat of the season on Hereford.

Full-time: Hereford FC 0-1 Hednesford Town

Hereford FC:- 1. Theo Richardson, 2. Aaron Skinner, 4. Kam Kandola ©️, 5. Will Merrett, 9. Cawley Cox, 14. Luke Spokes, 17. Joseph James, 19. Harrison Iwunze, 20. Preston Bitemo, 23. Billy Phillips, 28. Kyle Howkins.

Substitutes:- 6. Joe Willis, 8. Harry Tustin, 10. Danny Waldron, 11. Fin Holmes, 18. Liam Roberts, 21. Ollie Lewis, 30. Kameron Muir.

Attendance with 4087 away 382

The Pitmen inflict the first home defeat of the season on the Bulls which sees us drop to second in the table. Granted the referee Harry Warner didn't give us much but we lacked the cutting edge to break down a stubborn Hednesford side.

There's another break for a fortnight with the Morecambe trip next Saturday postponed following their progression into the Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round meaning the Bulls travel to the Leasing.com Stadium next to take on Macclesfield FC in a top of the table clash. COYW

Words: Sam Cummins

Behind Doors Friendly Next Saturday

It's been confirmed by manager Aaron Downes that Hereford will play have a friendly next Saturday.

Their game at Morecambe has been postponed as the home team have a FA Cup Tie. 

Hereford were hoping to have arranged a League game instead but none of the clubs approached were interested. 

So there will be a behind closed doors friendly at Edgar Street. Whom Hereford will play against has not yet been revealed. 

No Water On The Pitch Pre-Kick-Off

Unlike most recent home games at Edgar Street, no water was put on the pitch before the start of today's game against Hednesford.

From the top of the Main Stand the pitch appeared to look on the dry side.

And before kick-off manager Aaron Downes was seen talking to groundsman Ben Bowen.

After it was revealed by a director that there was a fault with the sprinkler system.

Whether had the pitch been watered close to kick-off the result would have been been different we will never know. 

Before Kick-Off Against Hednesford This Afternoon

A great crowd and a great atmosphere greeted the players onto the pitch.

 

Frustrated and infuriated Downes analyses Hednesford defeat

Aaron Downes has said Saturday's 1-0 loss against Hednesford was frustrating and infuriating.

Press play to listen to the manager's reaction in full.

Full Time: Hereford 0 Hednesford 1

Full time at Edgar Street this afternoon:

Hereford  0 Hednesford  1

A goal midway through the first half gave the visitors their victory.

4087 watched the game. 

Macclesfield now top the league with Hereford second

They meet at Macclesfield in two weeks time.

Half Time Hereford v Hednesford

At half-time the score is:

Hereford  0 Hednesford  1

The visitors took the lead and have had the better of the game so far. Aaron Jarvis’ goal after 18 minutes came on the break, beating two Hereford defenders in the process. 

Hereford Team News For Hednesford This Afternoon

Hereford have made one change for this afternoon’s match against Hednesford. 

Cawley Cox starts in attack with Danny Waldron dropping to the bench  

Hereford's starting XI against Hednesford this afternoon:

1 Theo Richardson, 2 Aaron Skinner, 4 Kam Kandola (capt), 5 Will Merrett, 9 Cawley Cox, 14 Luke Spokes, 17 Joseph James, 19 Harrison Iwunze, 20 Preston Bitemo, 23 Billy Phillips, 28 Kyle Howkins.

Substitutes:- 6 Joe Willis, 8 Harry Tustin, 10 Danny Waldron, 11 Fin Holmes, 18 Liam Roberts, 21 Ollie Lewis, 30 Kameron Muir

Hednesford name former Bull Ahkeem Rose up front, but Omari Sterling-James is absent following international duty with St Kitts and Nevis. 

 

Could be a 4,000 gate today

There could be a 4,000 attendance for Hereford's game against Hednesford this afternoon.

The Merton Stand is sold out and there aren't many seats left in the Len Weston Stand.

Hednesford are also set to bring a healthy following.

Hereford have an average attendance of 3,398 from their five matches this season.

If you haven't got your ticket for today's game yet, you can buy it here. 

Fans Help Merthyr Sign Jarvis

Supporters have helped Merthyr fund a deal to sign Cole Jarvis on loan from Newport County.

Midfielder Jarvis was a Merthyr player until he moved to Newport at the start of 2026.

"I'd like to thank those supporters who have contributed to the boost the budget scheme, whether that's from the start of the season or those that have contributed this week," said manager Paul Michael."

"This has helped enable this move to happen." 

It's not known how much supporters have put into Merthyr's budget scheme.

Hereford's boost the budget scheme, better known as squad builder, is reported to have raised £75,000 this season.

 

This Afternoon In The National North

A list of the fixtures this afternoon in the National North League.

Brackley v Spennymoor

Chester v Bedford

Chorley v Telford

Darlington v Merthyr

Harborough v Southport

Hebburn v Oxford City

Hereford v Hednesford

Kings Lynn v Buxton

Macclesfield v South Shields

Marine v Spalding

Radcliffe v Scarborough

Worksop v Morecambe 

January 1999 - Hereford Draw With Hednesford

With Hednesford the visitors to Edgar Street this afternoon a look back to January 9th 1999 and 0-0 draw between the two teams.

 HEREFORD United 0 Hednesford 0 (report by Peter Povall)

Hereford started well against Hednesford and gained a corner against the visitors within the first couple of minutes. Hednesford cleared and then gave away a free-kick in the process. The kick being blasted and wasted.

The Hereford attack force has been strengthened by the new signing of Dean Martin. A small player at just 5'7" tall, but he's quick and skillful and made a difference today. He caused a few problems for the Hednesford defence and looks set to score a few during the remainder of the season.

United continued their attacks and gained another corner on 10 minutes. The ball was sent to the back post where it was headed just wide.

Hednesford made their first assault on Hereford's goal shortly after but were caught in the offside trap with ease.

United attacked again. I have to say it was nice to see the players having a run at the Hednesford defenders. Druce fluffed the resulting chance.

Again United pushed forward. Dean Martin was felled about 25 yards from goal after receiving a through ball from the midfield. The free-kick was deflected out for a corner giving United another chance.

The corner was played to the centre of the area and was poorly cleared during the scrabble. Rodgerson fell upon the chance and had his powerful shot saved by the diving Morgan.

Within the space of the next minute. Taylor had a chance to open the scoreline but hit his weak shot wide. The resulting goal kick bounced long and eventually fell to Carty who found himself one-on-one with Quy. He tried to catch Quy early and hit the ball clear across goal and out for a return goal-kick.

The majority of play went Hereford's way with rushes coming from Hednesford which kept the game alive. The next real chance came from Dennison who's shot on goal bounced lightly before reaching the keeper. As it reached Morgan though, it must have caught a rut as it suddenly jumped and hit him in the chin.

Five minutes later and Dennison was there again, Morgan again saving his effort. A play later and United gained another free-kick from about 25 yards out. Again this was pushed out for a corner. The ball was sent to the near post, flicked on and then headed down. Hednesford cleared from the line with half the crowd thinking the ball was in.

Collins came out with a shot late in the first half when his drive was blocked by Morgan. Hednesford made a final effort seconds before the whistle for the break when they gained a corner which Quy rose for but seemed to half fumble, half punch clear. Hednesford's shot was well wide.

The second half was much the same. Hereford held the majority of the possession but never managed to finish the frequent attacks off.

Clarke and Wright made attempts within moments of each other. Dean Martin also had a cracking effort which scraped over the bar from all of 18 yards out. Give the lad his due, he's willing to have a crack from almost anywhere.

Hednesford made a couple of good runs but never looked likely to finish the job. Attempts where being sent well over the bar from inside the area.

The final five minutes produced some good football. Parry worked hard in the corner, beating two defenders and still finding himself in trouble, he checked the players around him and back-heeled the ball into the space behind him. No United players read the play though as it rolled out for a goal-kick.

The dying moments saw Hednesford produce a brilliant run into the area complete with a neat turn of the ball to rid two defenders. The build-up was perfect but the execution of the shot was less so. Again the ball was blazed over.

Parry had a final dig when he chased a long ball down, trying to catch it before it reached the keeper, but met the goal post whilst the keeper made a simple save.

Not a brilliant performance but there is certainly a better chance of us scoring goals now that Martin is here. I only hope that Fewings will have recovered shortly so that they can use his size and Martin's speed to really give a defence problems.  

News Round Up

Former Hereford United player Chris Hargreaves has been appointed Director of Academy Recruitment at Crystal Palace. This is his 38th season in the game.

Gateshead have confirmed that a sale agreement has been reached in principle with American based private investment company, Flacks Group, subject to Independent Football Regulator approval. 

Telford have loaned midfielder Isaac England from Shrewsbury Town. 

Matlock Town have appointed Nathan Haslam as their first-team manager, 

Merthyr have signed 21 year old foward  Japhet Matondo, who joins the club following his release from Stoke City. 

Defender Alex Whittle has joined Brackley from Farnborough.

Forward Rohan Vaughan has joined Spalding on loan from Harrogate Town.

Newport County midfielder Cole Jarvis has joined Merthyr Town on a short-term loan deal until January. 

Willis And Holmes Have 'Benefitted' From Two Week Break

 

A couple of the Hereford squad who have been out with injury since the start of the season have returned to training recently and are expected to be in contention for a place in the squad against Hednesford tomorrow.

Hereford haven't played for two weeks so there has been time for extra training.

"It's been good in one aspect as it's given us time to get a bit of extra work on the training ground but also get one or two players who were training but needed to get up to speed," said Downes in an interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"We've been able to give a couple of them mini pre-seasons. It's been good for that aspect.

"People like Joe Willis, Finn Holmes are really chomping at the bit now, they've benefitted from this two week break." 

We Want To Carry On Where We Left Off Said Downes

 

Despite not having played for two weeks, Hereford manager Aaron Downes is hopeful that will prove an advantage against Hednesford tomorrow afternoon.

""We want to carry on where we left off with our home form because we've been in good form at home," Downes told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"It's nice to have a game, especially nice to have one at home, training has been intense, I feel we are in a good place, I feel we will be competitive tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it.

"The boys are really chomping at the bit.

"I just hope the boys can continue with the form.

"Sometimes it's nice to have a break, but it can go either way.

"It's my job to make sure it goes in our favour as far as the break benefits us."