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. 

Willo Seals The Victory

After a shakey start Hereford ran out 5-1 winners over Leamington last night.

Young on-loan striker George Munday scored a hat-trick and was chosen, rightly so, as the Man of the Match.

But coming on as a sub for Munday, Andy Williams scored Hereford's fifth goal with a fine solo effort.

 

Downes hails Munday as ‘breath of fresh air’ and addresses recall question

Cambridge United loanee George Munday celebrates one of his three goals against Leamington

Aaron Downes hailed hat-trick hero George Munday as a “breath of fresh air” after the young striker helped power Hereford to a 5-1 victory over relegation-threatened Leamington.

In their first game at Edgar Street for two months, the Bulls fell behind inside four minutes when Frank Tattum capitalised on a loose pass across the back to put the visitors ahead.

But Hereford responded strongly, with Munday scoring twice before half-time to turn the contest around before adding his third after the break. Harrison Sohna and substitute Andy Williams also found the net as the Bulls produced an emphatic comeback in front of nearly 2,500 supporters.

Downes said the 19-year-old striker has quickly made his mark since arriving at the club.

"Over the moon for George, he's been a breath of fresh air coming into the football club and he's full of energy," Downes said.

"He's desperate to score goals. He's a great character, great kid and we're really glad we've got him."

"It's about managing everybody and tonight I just felt it was a good night for him to go and really just open his legs and enjoy himself. He did that superbly."

BBC Hereford and Worcester's Carson Wishart asked whether parent club Cambridge United might look to recall Munday, given that he has impressed in his first three weeks.

But Downes played down any suggestion Munday could be recalled before the loan expires at the end of the season.

He said he had a good relationship with Cambridge and are "luckily" having a good season, sitting third in League Two, just five points off the summit.

"Cambridge are very on board and they're happy that we're getting the best out of their striker," Downes added.

"George is really enjoying it himself so I'm hoping that there's no danger of that and we can keep George to the end season and he can keep producing performances like that."

Aaron Skinner, Keziah Martin and Harrison Sohna were also singled out for praise from Hereford's boss, who has only been in the job three weeks but has seen his team pick up 13 points from six games and score an impressive 15 goals.

But Hereford’s busy schedule also meant the squad was again rotated and the manager turned to his bench during the second half, with substitutes making a noticeable impact.

Andy Williams added the fifth goal after coming on late, while Mikey Lane’s assist helped set up Munday’s third as fresh legs helped Hereford maintain their momentum and see out the win comfortably.

The win leaves the Bulls just one point from safety — 10 closer than when Downes arrived — but tougher tests await with the league’s top two, South Shields and AFC Fylde, next to visit Edgar Street.

Hat-trick hero Munday hungry for more after first Edgar Street appearance

George Munday celebrates his third

Hat-trick hero George Munday led Hereford to a thrilling 5-1 win over Leamington at Edgar Street, marking the Bulls’ first home game in two months with a statement performance in front of nearly 2,500 fans.

The 19-year-old striker opened the scoring for Hereford before adding goals three and four, securing his first senior hat-trick, and helping turn an early setback into a convincing victory as the phoenix club fights to avoid its first relegation.

"Scoring goals, there's no feeling like it in football, especially for a striker," the buzzing Cambridge United striker told the media after his first game at Edgar Street, admitting he was now hungry to score more in front of the Bulls' fans.

"It's what you judged off at the end of the day. To score in front of that many here is yes, incredible feeling. It makes it feel even better and makes me hungry to score more."

The Bulls are now playing at least twice a week for the rest of the season as they play catch-up. With the Edgar Street pitch problems hopefully behind them, two more home games follow with top sides South Shields and AFC Fylde next up.

"I want to play every minute of every game," he said. "But we've still got 16 games left in a short amount of time. Like we're playing Saturday, Tuesday or next week, Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday.

"So there's so many games coming up and that's what the gaffer said, we've got to rotate.

"We've got a really good squad."

The game got off to a slow start, particularly as Hereford struggled to string passes together and a defensive error gifted Leamington the opener inside five minutes.

Munday said: "Obviously, it was a slow start. Not really much reasoning behind it, but I think their goal definitely woke us up.

"I think we were quite relaxed. I's not the first time in the last few weeks we've done that, against Chester we went down very early as well and then came back and scored five that night as well.

"I think we knew that if we played to our best tonight, then we'd have the quality to win the game, and it was just about being patient.

"As soon as we got the equaliser, I think we all kind of had that feeling that we were going to go score more and we were going to go win the game."

Match report: Five-star Hereford continue fight for survival

George Munday celebrating with Aaron Skinner

Hereford have returned to Edgar Street after two months in stunning style by beating Leamington 5-1.

A George Munday hat-trick and a goal each for Harrison Sohna and Andy Williams means the Bulls are now just one point away from escaping the relegation zone, still with up to seven games in hand.

The result means Hereford have now picked up 13 points from 18 since Aaron Downes was appointed just three weeks ago, with the Bulls playing decent football in a morale-boosting display in front of nearly 2,500 home fans.

For the match, Hereford's first at home since they were knocked out of the FA Trophy by AFC Fylde on 10th January, Downes made two changes to the side that held on for a 3-2 win at Worksop on Saturday.

Kyle Howkins was restored in the heart of defence alongside Keenan Quansah at Matt Preston's expense, with George Munday starting ahead of veteran striker Andy Williams.

With Leamington forcing the Bulls to attack the Meadow End in the first half, the game got off to a disastrous start as a Keenan Quansah pass across the back ricocheted off Miro Pais, leaving Frank Tattum to pounce, drilling the ball past Theo Richardson for his third goal in as many games.

But the Bulls didn't let their heads drop despite conceding after just three minutes, and eventually started to click, string passes together and move the ball well.

While there was little to note in the next 10 minutes, other than Aaron Skinner firing wide after good work by Keziah Martin down the right, in the 15th minute George Munday pulled his side back level. The 19-year-old striker, on loan from Cambridge United, got onto the end of Skinner's cross after a determined break down the right, volleying home in front of the Meadow End.

Leamington, who have been propping up the National League North table 8th November and now 13 points from safety, showed they weren't going down without a fight as former Bulls loanee I-Lani Edwards forced Richardson into a save before Tattum fired over.

As the first half progressed, Hereford showed good patterns of play and decent movement off the ball as they searched for their second, with lively left winger Cormac Daly getting the better of Hereford-born Brakes right-back Dan Meredith on several occasions. In the 28th minute, one of his crosses fell kindly to Munday who agonisingly could only find the side-netting from an acute angle.

While Ewan Williams threatened for the visitors with an acrobatic effort over the bar, Hereford would be the side on the front foot going into the break as they took the lead in the first minute of stoppage time. George Munday, playing his first game at Edgar Street since joining Hereford on loan three weeks ago, reacted quickest to stab the ball home after Keziah Martin's vicious strike flew back off the underside of the crossbar. 

But in the final minute of the four added on, Leamington threatened once more as Max Brogan and Owen Farmer - on for the injured Edwards - combined, but Theo Richardson was able to punch the cross-cum-shot clear in a crowded penalty box with Meredith lurking.

Half time: Hereford 2 - Leamington 1

Leamington continued to prove a threat going into the second half, though Hereford's defence looked slightly less error-prone than at the start of the first. Brogan did see a shot fly over the bar from outside the area, before trying to chip the ball over the back-peddling Richardson, only to see the effort land on the roof of the net, and then winning a corner as the Hereford stopper palmed away a third attempt.

But Hereford hit back, launching a counter-attack from the corner as a Martin effort was blocked by Will Glennon, before Munday nabbed the ball from the feet of Meredith on the halfway line, bursting forward and forcing Eddie Brearey into a save.

With 65 minutes on the clock, Daly had an effort deflected as the Bulls committed bodies forward - a now regular occurrence which is both pleasing and worrying as it leaves them vulnerable to counterattacks. But it was from the resulting corner that Hereford extended their lead to two goals, with skipper Hudson - making his 100th appearance in a Bulls' shirt - seeing a powerful shot sting the palms of the keeper before Harrison Sohna made no mistake as he redirected the loose ball.

Scunthorpe loanee Brogan threatened against for the hosts, firing over after the Brakes made the most of a poor Richardson goal kick, and substitute Joe Clarke was unlucky to see his shot blocked by a teammate in a packed box.

But the fourth goal, coming in the 77th minute, all but guaranteed Hereford the three points as it left the visitors deflated. Munday was able to bag his first senior hat-trick as substitute Mikey Lane played him through, leaving him with just Brearey to beat.

With Munday getting a standing ovation from the Merton Stand as he made way for Andy Williams, the veteran striker got his name on the scoresheet just seven minutes after coming on. As the clock hit 90, Willo burst forward and lifted the ball over Brearey to round off a stunning return home for the Bulls.

 

Full time: Hereford 5 - Leamington 1

Attendance: 2,498 (43 away)

Sponsors' man of the match: George Munday

While the game could have gone either way at times and Leamington's lowly league position not particularly evident in their trip to Edgar Street, the difference was simple - the Bulls took their chances and the Brakes didn't. It's only the second time the Bulls have won back-to-back league matches this season, and it's the second time they've scored five goals in a game in two weeks.

Under Aaron Downes, who has only been in the job three weeks, Hereford have now picked up 13 points out of a possible 18. They look more lively, confident and creative, they're conjuring up goal-worthy chances and not letting their heads drop if they concede early. While there's still a mistake in the team, there are now goals.

Hereford: Richardson, Skinner (James 79'), Hudson, Sohna, Quansah (Preston 83'), Munday (Williams 83'), Daly (Lane 70'), Martin, Wilcox, Tustin (D’Ath 63'), Howkins. 

Subs not used: Donowa, Lewis. 

Leamington: Brearey, Meredith, Quaynor, Glennon, Blythe, Walker, Williams (Clarke 73'), Brogan (Chiha 85'), Edwards (Farmer 28'), Pais (Alonzi 63'), Tattum (Yahaya 73'). 

Subs not used: Streete, Humphries. 

Downes hails Bulls' response as they romp to victory in homecoming

Aaron Downes praised Hereford’s response after a shaky start as the Bulls powered to a 5-1 victory over Leamington at Edgar Street.

In their first home game for two months because of pitch problems, Hereford fell behind in just the fourth minute when Frank Tattum capitalised on a loose pass across the back to put the visitors ahead.

But the Bulls responded strongly, with George Munday scoring twice before half-time to turn the game around before further goals from Harrison Sohna, Munday and substitute Andy Williams sealed an emphatic win.

Downes admitted his side were below their standards early on but was pleased with how they recovered.

“Well, you hope for that [five goals], don’t you?” he said, entering his fourth week as boss.

“You’re coaching for that, training for that, playing for that, but you can never really tell.

“It’s a great result and a great win. I’m really happy with the majority of the play tonight.

“There’s never a perfect performance, but ultimately at this stage of the season it’s about making sure we’re doing the right things and getting results."

Hereford struggled in the opening stages and were punished by Leamington’s early goal, but Downes said the players reacted well once they settled.

“The first 15 or 20 minutes we weren’t at the levels that we know we have to be at,” he said.

“But credit to the boys because they flipped that.

"At the end of the first half, we were actually on top and we got through our spell that we weren't sticking to our principles that we set and agreed on.

"They shook themselves up. I wouldn't say there was a nervousness, but I think there was a situation where we got caught in not doing what we know we need to do in order to win football matches."

The victory means Hereford have now recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since early September, but Downes warned there is still plenty of work to do in the fight to climb away from trouble.

"I still have to make sure that I keep a lid on and remind everybody that we're still not out of trouble," the boss told the media after the win.

"It's a great performance. We've got to take confidence and belief from what we're doing. The players are happy in there and rightly so."

REACTION | George Munday - Hereford FC 5-1 Leamington

Hat trick hero and man of the match George Munday gives his post match reaction to tonights 5-1 win over Leamington. Click on the play button to hear his thoughts.

REACTION | Aaron Downes - Hereford FC 5-1 Leamington

Aaron Downes gives his post match reaction to tonight's 5-1 win over Leamington. Click on the play button to hear his thoughts.

Tuesday Enterprise National League North results and updated table

Tuesday evening's results from a full programme of fixtures in the Enterprise National League North:

AFC Fylde (0) 2-1 (1) AFC Telford United
Alfreton Town (0) 1-1 (1) Radcliffe
Bedford Town (0) 0-2 (1) Worksop Town
Chorley (1) 1-1 (1) South Shields
Curzon Ashton (1) 2-2 (2) Oxford City
Darlington (0) 0-2 (0) Buxton
Hereford (2) 5-1 (1) Leamington
Kidderminster Harriers (2) 4-0 (0) Peterborough Sports
Marine (1) 2-4 (1) Macclesfield
Merthyr Town (1) 1-2 (1) Chester
Scarborough Athletic (1) 1-1 (0) King's Lynn Town
Southport (1) 2-0 (0) Spennymoor Town

The updated league table can be found here: http://bullsnews.blogspot.com/p/league-table.html

Munday hat-trick helps Hereford claim only second back-to-back wins of season

After 31 games of the National League North season, Hereford have finally claimed their second back-to-back wins as they beat basement club Leamington 5-1 at Edgar Street. 

In their first game at Edgar Street in two months, Hereford got off to a poor start as they gifted Leamington the opener in the fourth minute. A woeful pass across the back saw the visitors in position, with Frank Tattum to put past Theo Richardson. 

Though the Bulls got back into the game 11 minutes later as George Munday got onto the end of an Aaron Skinner cross to level the score.

In first half stoppage time the Bulls then took the lead. A Keziah Martin shot rattled the crossbar, but Munday reacted quickest to bury the ball past Eddie Brearey.

With Leamington still looking a threat going forwards, Hereford's third goal - courtesy of Harrison Sohna from a corner in the 67th minute - settled any nerves inside Edgar Street and saw the visitors' heads drop. 

Munday then completed his hat trick, 11 minutes later as substitute Mikey Lane teed up his fellow striker to rifle home. 

But the Bulls weren't finished and for the second time in as many weeks scored five goals in a game. Substitute Andy Williams surged forward and lifted the ball over Brearey to round off a stunning return home for the Bulls. 

Full report, pictures and reaction to follow. 

Hereford recover from slow start to lead at half time

Hereford are leading Leamington 2-1 at half time in this evening's National League North tie.

Hereford, back at Edgar Street for the first time in two months, got off to a poor start as a Keenan Quansah error gifted Leamington the opener as Frank Tattum scored his third goal in as many games. 

But Hereford fought back, and regained the ability to string two passes together after a slow start, and two goals from George Munday sees them take a one-goal lead into half time against the league's bottom side. 

Defender moves out on loan

Defender Mitch Roberts has joined step three Halesowen Town on loan.

Hereford have not issued any statement on the move, and Halesowen have not disclosed the length of the loan.

The 25-year-old defender who started his career at Birmingham City has struggled to break into the Hereford side this season. He has made six appearances since signing last summer, and has also spent time at step three Gloucester City on loan.

Halesowen are currently 7th in the Southern League Premier Division Central table, four points outside the play-off places. 

Hereford team news as Bulls return home for Leamington

This evening's Hereford team to take on Leamington at Edgar Street:

Richardson, Skinner, Hudson, Sohna, Quansah, Munday, Daly, Martin, Willcox, Tustin, Howkins

Subs: Preston, D'Ath, Williams, Lane, Donawa, Lewis, James

Tonight's National North League Fixtures

Lots of fixtures in the National North League this evening.

AFC Fylde v AFC Telford

Alfreton v Radcliffe

Bedford v Worksop

Chorley v South Shields

Curzon Ashton v Oxford City

Darlington v Buxton

Hereford v Leamington

Kidderminster v Peterborough Sports

Marine v Macclesfield

Scarborough v Kings Lynn

Southport v Spennymoor 

 

News round up

Kian Ryley

Curzon Ashton chairman John Clayton has resigned due to personal circumstances after 14 years with the club.

Clayton oversaw one of the club’s most successful periods during his time as chairman and director.

Vice-chairman Jim Newall will take on the role on an interim basis while the board considers a long-term appointment.

Southport have sold out their ground for the club’s FA Trophy semi-final against Southend United.

The tie on March 28, which will earn the winners £15,000 and losers £5,000, comes after Southport reached the last four for the first time in 28 years with a penalty shoot-out win over Yeovil Town.

Title chasers South Shields have suffered a blow with midfielder Dan Ward ruled out for the rest of the season.

Boss Ian Watson confirmed the setback after the player underwent scans, with the midfielder forced off just 17 minutes after coming on off the bench in Saturday's 3-0 home win over Curzon Ashton.

The 27-year-old joined Shields from Oldham Athletic and previously helped Gateshead win the National League North title.

Alfreton Town have signed attacking midfielder Kian Ryley on loan from National League outfit Solihull Moors until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has previously enjoyed loan spells with Stourbridge and Rushall Olympic, and also made three appearances for Hereford FC during a loan spell in 2023.

Hereford 10/21 To Defeat Leamington

Tate Campbell Scored A Penalty When The Teams Met Earlier This Season

Hereford are 10/21 to win their game against Leamington tomorrow evening at Edgar Street.

Currently Hereford are 22nd in the National North League with 32 points from 30 games, Leamington are 24th with 23 points from 35 games.

Last Saturday Hereford were away at Worksop and returned with a 3-2 win. Leamington draw 1-1 with second place AFC Fylde, a creditable result.

Hereford's home record is won 4, drawn 3 and lost 5.

Leamington's away record is won 1, drawn 5 and lost 12.

As for goal difference Hereford's is minus 14, Leamington's is minus 35.

Recent form:

Hereford WLWDW

Leamington LLLWD

Hereford 10/21  Draw 10/3  Leamington 11/2 

Home sweet home

 

At last Hereford FC return home – not Worcester, not Redditch – actual home, as they host bottom club Leamington at Edgar Street. Hopefully the club’s recent absence from the city will ensure that there’s a big and noisy crowd in to encourage the side to another win and a continued move up the table.

This is also a chance for Hereford to do a double double, following Saturday’s win at Worksop. In October, the Bulls won 2-1 in Warwickshire, with I-Lani Edwards arguably enjoying his best game in a Bulls shirt.

Last weekend was a very good one in the quest for safety, with none of the other sides in the bottom seven winning. Things are now starting to look a bit more encouraging.

The visitors have endured something of a difficult season. After Shrewsbury swooped for the Brakes’ star striker Cally Stewart mid-way through last season they really struggled, and more-or-less stopped scoring. That goal shyness has continued into this season, and they’ve only managed 26 goals in 35 games.

However, they’re doing a good impression at the moment of being the Wolves of the National League North. Everyone knows they’re down, including them, but they’re not going down without a fight, following a 2-1 win last midweek against Telford and an impressive 1-1 draw on Saturday at home to possibly-stuttering Fylde. A 95^th minute equaliser ensured that they go into this on a two-match unbeaten run.

Their away form this season though is terrible. That win at Telford was their only one this season, and came after a wait of almost a year. They’ve conceded on average more than two goals a game in their 18 away games. With the Bulls exhibiting some new-found goalscoring prowess, they’ll surely fancy this.

Birmingham City loanee Frank Tattum looks to be their dangerman, with two goals in two games. The aforementioned I-Lani Edwards joined Leamington on loan from Villa after his spell at Hereford, but returned to his parent club after the Brakes’ game against Fylde at the weekend. His ability will presumably be missed.

A win could see Hereford move out of the relegation zone for the first time in a while. Being outside the bottom four with multiple games in hand over everyone around them would be a much more reassuring look. For the second midweek running, Kidderminster could do us a favour at Aggborough, this time by beating Peterborough.

Aaron Downes has hinted at continual rotation from now until the end of the season given the fixture pile-up. Whether that means he’ll rest Andy Williams or gamble on the Bulls striker’s goal on Saturday signalling the start of a purple patch, and giving him another start accordingly, remains to be seen. George Munday and Mikey Lane will be itching to play some part here. Munday has played five times for the club but this will be his first taste of a game at Edgar Street. 

Compared to that, Cormac Daly’s virtually due a testimonial without having actually played a proper home game for the club. Eight games in, many fans will be getting their first look at the talented 18-year-old.

Of the players actually contracted to the club, a quick word on Theo Richardson. The Bulls keeper was hugely influential in ensuring that the points went to the away side on Saturday. He should enjoy a very warm welcome from the Meadow End before kick off. I hope he’s around next season.

It would be timely indeed here for the Bulls to end their recent sequence of winning alternate games under Aaron Downes, and recording back-to-back victories. Not that I’m knocking winning alternate games of course, it’s a much more agreeable pattern than what preceded the new manager. In fact, it’s got the club into a position whereby this isn’t the complete and utter must-win it was looking like being a week or so back. Having said that, Hereford haven’t recovered their league position sufficiently yet to be anything other than very annoyed if they don’t beat already-down Leamington at home, given that they’re still third-bottom and have a string of tricky games coming up after this. It’s a must-ish win.

In terms of those tricky games, Fylde are showing very slight signs of promotion chasing nerves having picked up just one point from their last two, and Macclesfield similarly aren’t in scintillating form. It would be useful if one or both were indeed choking.

Adam Rooney’s departure should free up a bit of room in the budget should it be required, and it seems sensible not to look to cover the coaching element of his role by bringing a new staff member in, given Harry Pell’s presence and older heads like Willo able to chip in too with words of advice for the younger players.

Incidentally, winning every remaining game rather than alternate ones would see the Bulls finish on 80 points, comfortably sufficient to qualify for the play-offs. Stranger things have happened…OK, maybe they haven’t.

COYW