Highgate United have done something that most football supporters don't believe can even happen.
They needed a twelve goal swing to get them into the play-offs in the Midland League.
Tonight they did it.
They went to Bewdley Town and won 12-0.
What goal swing do Hereford need against Boston on Saturday?
With the news today that FA Cup replays are to be scrapped from the 1st round next season, here are some classic replays that Hereford United were involved in against top flight opposition.
The financial bonus from these games were a massive boost to the coffers.
Hereford United 2-1 Newcastle United - FA Cup 3rd round replay - 5th February 1972 - Attendance 14,313
West Ham 3-1 Hereford United - FA Cup 4th round replay - 14th February 1972 - Attendance 42,271
Arsenal 7-2 Hereford United - FA Cup 3rd round replay - 21st January 1985- Attendance 26,023
Tottenham 5-1 Hereford United - FA Cup 3rd round replay - 17th January 1996 - Attendance 31,534
Leicester City 2-1 Hereford United - FA Cup 3rd round replay - 22nd December 1999 - Attendance 12,157
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| Harry Pell and Ryan Bowman kiss the swede before the Bulls knocked Shrewsbury Town out of the FA Cup in 2012 |
The Football League has said it will be seeking compensation for its clubs over the “frustrating and disappointing” decision, and clubs below the Premier League said they were not consulted about the major changes.
League Two Accrington Stanley's chair Andy Holt said they knew nothing about the move, adding: " We should be actively supporting minnows not taking opportunity away."
Fellow League Two side Tranmere Rovers said it condemned the "disgraceful decision taken by The FA and the Premier League to change the format of the FA Cup, including the scrapping of replays", with this agreement set to run for six years.
In a statement, it said there was no consultation with Football League clubs, National League clubs or grassroots clubs to whom the competition "represents not only their best opportunity to create life-long memories for supporters but also a hugely important source of income".
As has already been pointed out on social media, without replays, there would have been no 1972 giantkilling for Hereford, or the Ronnie Radford screamer.
The FA Cup can be money-spinning for the non-league sides who reach the proper rounds of the competition, especially forcing a replay against a higher-graded club. Those clubs, like Hereford, will now not have the chance to earn extra money (gate receipts and TV money), as well as the opportunity to play at stadiums they otherwise wouldn't.
The abolition of FA Cup replays from the third round had long been expected to help clubs deal with the expansion of the Champions League, which will feature 64 more matches next season and spill into January for the first time.
The move is all 'proper' rounds of the competition despite Premier League teams not entering until the third round.
Tranmere's statement added: "The decision, and the way it was taken, demonstrate a total lack of respect for the football pyramid and its fans. Football belongs to all of us and decisions should not be taken in back room deals in which only the very wealthiest clubs are allowed to participate.
"It is yet another eloquent example of the 19th-century governance that means that football simply cannot regulate itself and needs the Independent Football Regulator to have real teeth.
"We condemn the changes wholeheartedly and urge The FA to suspend them immediately until all stakeholders in the game are properly consulted."
As reported by the PA News Agency, replays remain popular with fans, with 69.5 per cent of those polled in a Football Supporters’ Association survey last summer believing they were an important part of the FA Cup.
Step three Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola tweeted: “Absolutely disgraceful. The FA showing once again that they are not fit for purpose.”
As reported by Sussex World, Di Paola’s Horsham played Barnsley in a home replay in this season’s first round – the type of game that will no longer take place, with ties being settled at the first game.
The club's vice-chair tweeted: "Just a reminder that not only did our televised FA Cup replay generate revenue, it raised the profile of the club, the off-shoots of which will continue to be felt at @HorshamFC and its community for years to come! Complete s*** show FA!”
Rob Smethurst, owner of Northern Premier League side Macclesfield FC told the i newspaper: “The scrapping of FA Cup replays will have a significant effect on lower division clubs and can essentially be regarded as the bigger teams looking after their own interests.
“Smaller clubs gain much revenue from FA Cup replays every year and to deny them of this opportunity is disappointing to say the least.
“The agreement between the FA and Premier League is another example of the monopoly which exists within the national game and how those clubs outside the top-flight are regarded with contempt.”
Bradford City chief executive Ryan Sparks told the same paper: “It is a decision that the EFL and its member clubs have not been consulted on. When you consider there’s over 700 clubs taking part in the FA Cup who make it what it is, to potentially have 20 make a decision alongside the FA which should protect the wider game shows you who truly runs the game.
“The Premier League appears to have control in this situation. I would have expected the FA to stand up for the rest of the game and govern. That doesn’t appear to have been the case, which is disappointing."
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In a nutshell, all rounds we now played on weekends; the fourth, fifth and quarter-finals 'weekends' won't have any Premier League games, nor will the final; there will be no replays from the first round proper; and the Premier League will increase funding to football pyramid.
The FA said the current format, which has no replays from the fifth round onwards, has been extended throughout the ‘competition proper’ in light of changes to the calendar driven by the expanded UEFA competitions.
The FA Cup can be money-spinning for the non-league sides who reach the proper rounds of the competition, especially forcing a replay against a higher-graded club.
They will now not have the chance to earn extra money (gate receipts and TV money), as well as the opportunity to play at stadiums they otherwise wouldn't.
The i Paper's Sam Cunningham said: "Money out of the pockets of smaller clubs and into the pockets of richer ones."
National World's Manchester United reporter Richard Fay said: "729 teams compete in the FA Cup, yet the future of it is being dictated by an elite minority with a selfish agenda.
"You can’t claim an ‘increased support for grassroots football’ when there are no replays from the first round onwards. A disgraceful decision."
Phil Annets, who runs the popular FA Cup Factfile account on X/Twitter, said the FA has "sold the soul of its own defined 'crown jewel' the FA Cup for the modern-day equivalent of 30 pieces of silver".
He said replays are an essential part of the FA Cup.
The agreement between the FA and Premier League, which is for a minimum of six years, starts next season. All rounds of the Emirates FA Cup will now be played on weekends, including the fifth round which has been played in midweek for the last five seasons.
The fourth and fifth rounds and the quarter-finals all will be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time, and the fourth round will have an extended window from Friday to Wednesday to allow fans to watch consecutive days of Emirates FA Cup football.
Separately, the Premier League has increased funding to the football pyramid, providing up to an additional £33 million for grassroots football on top of the £100 million it currently gives to good causes each season.
The league will provide up to £133 million per season from the 2025-26 season, maintaining existing commitments and enhancing support to key areas of the game. The Premier League currently gives away £1.6 billion every three years – 16 per cent of its total revenues – to all levels of men’s and women’s football, and this new money will provide significant support to a range of areas as the game continues to grow.
Chief executive Mark Bullingham said: "The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.
"This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.
"The new schedule ensures the magic of the cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.
"We have also agreed new funding for the grassroots game, disability football and the women’s and girls’ game. All football begins at the grassroots, and this is recognised by the Premier League with very welcome additional financial support."
Total funds raised and donated to date from these sales = £12,000
Speaking after last Saturday's game against Hereford, Warrington manager Mark Beesley admitted that one of his players had got himelf sent off.
The red card happened in the second half after Grivosti reacted to a challendge on him by Hereford's Lewis Hudson.
“The same tackle happened on him two or three minutes before and between them, they didn’t see it,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to Matty and regardless, he then can’t do the same tackle on him.
“If their guy got away with it then maybe he should in his defence, but he shouldn’t be doing that.
“He should try and be more professional about it but he’s got himself sent off, which means he’s going to miss the last game and the first couple of next season.
“It’s affected him and affected us in the game today."
Hereford under 18's have two league games to play to complete their season.
Next Wednesday they are at home to Stourport Swifts.
Then on the following Friday (April 26th) they are away at Alvechurch.
Currently Hereford are 5th in the league table with 23 points from 14 games.
If they win both of these games they could finish 3rd in the table.
The teams that could make up the National League North next season have been revealed as part of a prediction.
Hereford could be travelling to Moss Rose again next season. Picture: John Lord/Flickr
The Non League Maps account on X, formerly Twitter, thinks Hereford will remain in the National League North.
They'll be joined by Kidderminster Harriers and Oxford City whose relegations from the National League have already been confirmed.
This could change though as York City could still be relegated, one of five teams who could still fall victim to the last relegation space.
They'll then also be joined by Northern Premier champions Radcliffe, from Greater Manchester, and reformed Macclesfield, who Non League Maps thinks will win the play-offs.
From the Southern League Premier Central, Needham Market, near Ipswich, have already ben crowned champions and Non League Maps thinks AFC Telford United will come out top in the play-offs.
They don't predict any teams being moved from National League North to South, or vice versa.
Three clubs are already relegated from the National League and it's still unknown which other club will join them.
The three clubs going down are Oxford City, Dorking Wanderers and Kidderminster.
Any one of five other clubs can join them. All have played 45 games so it will be resolved on Saturday.
17th: Wealdstone 53pts GD (Goal Difference) -13
18th: York City 53pts GD -13
19th:Ebbsfleet 53pts GD -15
20th: Woking 52pts GD -9
21st: Boreham Wood 51pts -14
Amidst the fixtures on Saturday is a game betwwen Boreham Wood and Ebbsfleet.
A second selection of pictures from last night's HFA County Cup Final.
A selection of pictures from last night's HFA County Cup Final between Hereford FC and Pegasus.
A selection of pictures from around Edgar Street last night.
Teddy Mee scored Hereford's only goal in last night's HFA County Cup Final against Pegasus.
Sadly it wasn't enough as Pegasus won the tie 3-1.
The Bulls News Prediction League has been updated after Tuesday's 3-1 defeat for the under-18s in the Herefordshire FA County Challenge Cup final.
They were beaten at Edgar Street by Hereford Pegasus.
Of the 62 competitors who submitted predictions for this game, 23 have picked up points.
Ten get a maximum of 14 points, so congratulations to Bring Back United, Ginger Bull, Dhall, Mid Wales Bull, BaselWhite, Douglas Trendle, Staffsbull, Trevor Francis tracksuits, Podge, and Rockabully.
Maximum points for a second match in a row sees Staffsbull cling onto their place at the top of the table, but Dhall is still just two points behind with 21 still to play for in Saturday's triple points game.
But, after tonight's results, one of them will be crowned champion as neither can be caught by Ewyas Harold Bull in third.
Third place is still up for grabs though, completing our prize-winning top three, as well as:
So there you have it, next up is the last match of the season, Boston United at home. A quick thank you to all of you for taking part this season and hopefully it's been enjoyable (especially given rivalries with family and friends!).
Be sure to email your username and prediction to bnpredictions@outlook.com by 2pm on Saturday. Kick off is at 3pm.
See the updated table below, or by clicking read more.
Listen to Zeke Vivian's post match reaction below. Click on the play button to hear his thoughts.
Hereford 1 Pegasus 3
It was 2-0 to Pegasus at the break.
Teddy Mee scored for Hereford in the 49th minute
Bufton sealed the win with a goal in added time.
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| The Hereford side at Warrington Town on Saturday |
The result means Boston leapfrog Hereford and rise to seventh - occupying the last play-off place.
Now with 72 points, the Bulls could draw themselves level by beating them at Edgar Street in the last game of the season on Saturday. But to go above the Pilgrims in the table, Hereford would need to overturn a goal difference of 22 and have other results go their way.
And even if Boston failed to win tonight, and Hereford beat them on Saturday, South Shields would still need to lose at home to Southport and King's Lynn Town would need to win at Spennymoor Town because of the Bulls' goal difference of minus two.
In front of 447 at The Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium on Tuesday, including 137 from Boston United, Dylan Hill's low drive from 25 yards in the 36th minute gave the Pilgrims a deserved lead.
Banbury did have a good spell of possession in the second half but were unable to break the play-off chasing visitors down.
Despite all this, Hereford will finish 11th or higher in the table and with a new squad and rookie manager, and a less-than-favourable financial outlook early last year, most will agree it has been a great season.
The players and fans have a good relationship, the manager sings the praises of supporters constantly and communication from the club is probably the best it has been in years.
It's been an entertaining season too with crowds averaging 2,533 - and for context, Gloucester nabbed the last play-off place last year with 68 points when there were only four points between fourth and 13th.