Finally...surely?

OK so by my reckoning this is the fourth attempt at getting this game played. If the win against Chester last Tuesday suggests that the Bulls are finally finding some form, it may prove to be a stroke of luck that the postponement of the first three attempts, when Hereford were in no sort of form at all, was a blessing.

This is also a chance for the visitors to gain swift revenge, as it was barely more than a week ago that the Seadogs beat the Bulls in Redditch. Given that Aaron Downes is still very new to the division and on a ridiculously steep learning curve, the fact that the opponents’ strengths and weaknesses are fresh in the memory should be useful. OK the club can barely afford to lose games, but that one is gone and he could now perhaps see that 90 minutes as an in-depth and useful scouting exercise for this one.

This is the Seadogs’ fourth season in the NLN, although it’s a challenging one for them following plastic pitch replacement issues at the Flamingo Land Stadium, which has left them playing home games this season twenty miles down the coast at Bridlington. Despite the inconvenience of that, they started superbly and were in the top three for a while.

They’ve now slipped a bit but still sit handily in the table. They beat Fylde and Merthyr earlier in the season, and their record as tenants at Bridlington’s Mounting Systems Stadium is very good.

They’re typically a good-to-watch passing team. Luca Colville, Alex Purver, Lewis Maloney and Harry Green have all shown themselves to be smart and creative midfielders against Hereford before. Dom Tear always weighs in with goals, but the big success story for them this season has been ex-Middlesbrough youngster Stephen Walker, who joined last February from Whitby. He has 15 league goals in 28 games, and scored in the game at Redditch. On Saturday, they earned a decent point in a 2-2 draw at home against Macclesfield. Walker scored both Seadogs goals and will need to be carefully marshalled by the Hereford defence.

Despite being a perfectly respectable draw against a good Macclesfield side, it was a result that saw them slip out of the play-off places for the first time in some time, and means they’ve now just picked up one point from their last two games since beating Hereford.

Like Alfreton, they’re not prolific scorers but they’re outstanding defensively at home. Macc did unusually well to score two there. They’ve lost just four of their 17 home games. Talking of home games, it still seems astonishing that Hereford have played just nine home league games actually at home this season, and it’s March.

The postponement of Hereford’s trip to Alfreton on Saturday was unfortunate on several levels. They were going into it with the momentum of scoring five against Chester, and the calendar is rapidly running out of enough days to play the number of football matches the Bulls still have to squeeze in before May.

The rearranged Alfreton game will be on a Thursday, which illustrates how important some shrewd squad rotation is going to be for the rest of the season. Survival is still very much in the club’s own hands, but the exhausting forthcoming schedule could still play a major part in where the Bulls finish.

Aaron Downes’ striker search continues, but if the visitors score another five goals here the sense of urgency may diminish. 

Fully-fit-again Lawson Dath will be in line for a start here, and should find the recent youthful arrivals who have joined the cub while he's been out injured to be enjoyable to play with.

In terms of events affecting relegation rivals elsewhere while Hereford had the weekend off, Peterborough, Bedford and Kings Lynn lost, whereas Oxford won.

A win here would be an excellent effort, and it could also lift the Bulls to the heady heights of third bottom. Alfreton are away at Kidderminster, who are struggling to find form. Our neighbours could do us a big favour there, but they look shot and Alfreton nicking it in good old Billy Heath-era Alfreton fashion looks irritatingly possible.

Victory would also leave Hereford just two points behind Peterborough and four behind Oxford, with six games in hand over both. The maths would therefore start to look pretty favourable. It’s going to take an exceptional performance to take the points back down south though.

COYW

Chester Name Rawlinson As Interim Manager

Chester City have named Connell Rawlinson as their manager until the end of the season.

The 34 year old has been a player/coach for the club this season.

He replaces Calum McIntyre who stepped down after last Saturday's game against Spennymoor. 

This from Chester:

Chester FC can confirm that Connell Rawlinson has been named Interim First Team Manager of the club until the end of the 2025/26 season. 

An Academy Graduate of the Blues in 2009, the 34-year-old returned to Chester back in July 2024, and this season has been a part of the coaching staff at the Deva Stadium alongside his playing duties. 

Connell will be assisted by the existing management team, and will take training for the first time on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday's home fixture against Darlington. 

Match Report: Halesowen Women v Hereford Women

Plenty of goals at Halesowen this afternoon and the majority were for Hereford.

Halesowen v Hereford FC

It was the home side that started the brighter, creating good chances down the wings but Hereford's back line of Darcy Smith, Matilda Harris (c) and Katy Huntbach kept them at bay. 

On 15 minutes Hereford were awarded a free kick just outside the opponent's box, Kiera Brain found Maisie Evans who finished to make it 0-1, against the run of play.

With 22 minutes on the clock Halesowen were level after Smith turned the ball into her own net and just 7 minutes later they took the lead from a well delivered corner. 

It took Hereford only 8 minutes to respond, drawing level when Megan Boardman’s corner found the back of the net.

HT Halesowen 2-2 Hereford

Second half the visitors started quickly, within 12 minutes they were 2-5 up, goals from Mylie Jordan, Megan Boardman and Robyn Mear making it comfortable.

On 68 minutes Evans had a good effort saved, Jordan capitalised and slotted the ball home, 3 minutes later Tianna Chant saw her effort pushed away and again there was Jordan on hand to complete her hat trick.

Halesowen responded and scored from another well drilled corner making it 3-7 on 79 minutes.
Shortly after Evans, who had been outstanding all afternoon, saw another shot parried away, the ball fell to Chant who made no mistake 3-8.

A good performance from Evans and Jordan upfront, tireless running from Chant, Hannah Pritchard looked well composed when called upon and a really solid performance from the back line helped Hereford take all three points. 

Next Sunday Hereford are on the road again. They play Worcester City Women Reserves.

Warnock is back in the dugout

At the age of 77, Neil Warnock is back in the dugout after taking over at Torquay in a caretaker capacity.

The Gulls have sacked Paul Wotton following a 5-0 home defeat to Chelmsford.

They are still fourth in National League South, but have only picked up one point in their last five games.

Warnock has been working as a football advisor at Torquay, one one of his former clubs.

Over a 45 year managerial career, he has managed 18 different clubs, with his first being Gainsborough back in 1981. 

Hereford Women Away At Halesowen This Afternoon

Hereford Women have a League fixture this afternoon.

They are away at Halesowen Town.

The match is set to take place at The Dell, Dudley DY5 4NE.

Kick off is at 2pm.

Chester axe manager after home win leaves them three points off play-offs

Chester and Hereford at Sixways on Tuesday

Chester have parted company with manager Calum McIntyre with immediate effect — just days after their 5-2 defeat to Hereford.

The Blues confirmed on Saturday evening that McIntyre has left his position, despite it having previously been announced he would step down at the end of the season.

A club statement said all parties believe it is now “in the best interests of the football club to part company with immediate effect”.

The decision comes in the same week Chester were beaten heavily by the Bulls at Sixways, a result McIntyre himself described as “appalling” and “absolutely criminal” in his post-match assessment.

However, the Blues responded on Saturday with a 2-1 home victory over Spennymoor Town — a result that leaves them 10th in the National League North table, leaving them now just three points off the play-off places.

McIntyre was appointed permanent manager in May 2022 and took charge of the first team on more than 200 occasions. During his tenure, he guided Chester to two play-off campaigns, including last season’s National League North Promotion Final.

He was named Manager of the Season in 2022/23 and also led the club to the First Round Proper of the FA Cup twice.

Saturday’s announcement brings an end to a 14-year association with Chester, having first joined the club as an academy coach in 2012.

In a statement, the club placed on record its “sincere thanks” to McIntyre for his contribution and wished him well for the future.

The process of appointing a new first-team manager is now underway, with Chester saying an update on interim arrangements will follow in due course.

Today's National North League Results

Final scores from the games played in the National North League this afternoon.

AFC Fylde 5 Curzon Ashton 1

Alfreton v Hereford - Match Postponed

Chester 2 Spennymoor 1 

Darlington 2 Bedford 0

Kings Lynn 1 Oxford City 2

Merthyr 1 Buxto 3n

Peterborough Sports 0 South Shields 3

Scarborough 2 Macclesfield 2

Telford 2 Radcliffe 0

Worksop 2 Leamington 0 

 

18 games in two months

Hereford will now have the arduous task of playing 18 games in just two months.

Yet another game was postponed this morning - a relegation six-pointer at Alfreton.

With every Tuesday night being taken up until the end of the season - plus the Wednesday after the Easter break, it means the rearranged game will be on a Thursday. 

You can see the full fixture list here. 

Alfreton Bring In Keeper On Loan

Just after it was announced that today's game against Hereford had been called off Alfreton revealed that they had brought in a goal-keeper to replace Harry Burgoyne who has moved to a coaching post at Shrewsbury.

'We’re pleased to confirm the loan signing of Charlie Casper from Burnley. 

 Charlie has already gained experience this season with appearances in League Two for Grimsby, and has also featured for Bamber Bridge and FC United of Manchester.' 

 

This Afternoon In The National North League

A list of the fixtures set to take place in the National North League this afternoon.

AFC Fylde v Curzon Ashton

Alfreton v Hereford - Match Postponed

Chester v Spennymoor 

Darlington v Bedford

Kings Lynn v Oxford City

Merthyr v Buxton

Peterborough Sports v South Shields

Scarborough v Macclesfield

Telford v Radcliffe

Worksop v Leamington 

On This Day In 2009

A look back to February 28th 2009. League One Hereford played Leyton Orient.

Bulls resist Orient pressure

Hereford United had to see off hefty late pressure from Leyton Orient to hold onto a vital 2-1 home victory over their relegation rivals. The Bulls got off to a flyer when Febian Brandy's excellent finish gave them the lead whilst soon after Steve Guinan doubled the advantage with a penalty. Former Hereford captain Tamika Mkandawire pulled a goal back for the O's on the stroke of half-time before the visitors were superior in the second-half but couldn't find a way of getting past Peter Gulacsi in front of 3,286 at Edgar Street including 427 from East London.

Graham Turner made one change from last weekend's defeat to Peterborough with Jennison Myrie-Williams replaced by Matty Done. It is thought that Myrie-Williams has returned to Bristol City after completing his one month loan spell. Guinan shook off a knock to start up top with Brandy whilst Orient opted for a similar strike force; Scott McGleish providing the experience and Simon Church, on loan from Reading, with the youthful legs.

The opening stages provided a warning to Hereford as Orient used set-pieces well and went close early on. A corner from the left was flicked on to Mkandawire who volleyed goalwards but Richard Jackson stopped his effort on the line. The visitors were undone by Hereford in the 5th minute when Sam Hewson picked up the ball inside the O's half and switched the play to Done. The former Wrexham winger beat his man on the left and sent a low pass into the feet of Brandy, who turned quickly before firing a superb shot on the turn into the far corner to make it 1-0. Alton Thelwell headed wide from a Jimmy Smith free-kick before the defender was in the wrong at the other end, giving away a penalty. A long pass from Godwin Antwi was chased down by Brandy and he got in front of Thelwell before having his legs taken; the assistant referee flagged and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Guinan who sent Orient 'keeper Jamie Jones the wrong way to double Hereford's advantage.

On loan Chelsea winger Smith showed good skill to evade the challenge of Kris Taylor before firing straight at Gulacsi whilst at the other end, Done and Brandy again linked up with the latter showing quick feet to beat the challenge of Thelwell but could only shoot into the side netting after running into the box. Soon after, the same pair were at it again as Brandy missed a guilt edge chance. Adam Chamber's mis-placed header gave Done the chance to burst from midfield and he did just that beating his man with ease before spotting Brandy in space. The pass and then the first touch was perfect but the finish failed to match it; the Man Utd loanee only had the 'keeper to beat but fired over from 18 yards. United were made to regret the miss as Mkandawire grabbed a goal for the visitors on the stroke of half-time. A deep free-kick was challenged by Mkandawire and at the second attempt, the Malawian born defender toe-poked home from close-range. In stoppage-time, Mkandawire came close to scoring a second by meeting an Antwi clearence with a full volley but Gulacsi gathered, despite being slightly out of position.

During the interval, both sides made defensive changes. Antwi was replaced by Karl Broadhurst whilst Orient introduced Andrew Cave-Brown in place of Thelwall. It was the home side who created the early chances of the second-half with a cross/shot from Done landing on the top of the net after a good switch of play from Guinan. Minutes later, Done was again involved with a forward pass being controlled by Guinan and an early dipping half-volley forcing Jones into a diving save. Church was replaced by Dean Morgan as the visitors looked for more threat in front of goal to go with their high percentage of possession. Sean Thornton aimed to provide this but a long-shot was always curling away from goal whilst at the other end, a cross from Taylor was knocked on by Guinan into the path of Brandy but his little man's left-foot shot was sliced wide of the post.

A long diagonal pass into the Bulls' box was headed into the path of McGleish and just as the veteran striker looked as though he'd pull the trigger, Jackson made an excellent intervention to deny him the chance. The corner resulted in minutes of continual pressure on the Hereford defence with McGleish's header from the set-piece being headed off the line by Hewson whilst from the next corner taken by Charlie Daniels was nodded just past the far post by Jordan Spence.

United were thankful to Gulacsi in the closing stages as he made two top drawer saves to deny Leyton Orient's front two. Firstly, Morgan showed good strength and pace to get past Richard Rose before chipping over Broadhurst allowing McGleish a good chance to shoot with his eventual effort towards goal being tipped around the post by Gulacsi. The Hungarian shot-stopper then denied Morgan after he had latched onto a forward pass by Daniels before stinging Gulacsi's hands with a powerful right-foot shot from 20 yards. Ryan Jarvis came on for Smith late on whilst Andy Williams replaced Brandy, who looked to have picked up a knock early on in the game. The home support was infuriated when the referee awarded five minutes of added time and Orient nearly made Hereford pay when Jarvis met a cross towards the back-post with his head but he couldn't hit the target. United held on in stoppage time and the final whistle was greeted with a huge sense of relief from the Edgar Street faithful.

It was a vital win for Hereford as they start the big week with three points. The visitors will be disappointed that they have come away with nothing as they put United under a lot of pressure in the second period but man of the match Gulacsi ensured the points go to Hereford. Attacking duo Done and Brandy pushed the Liverpool loanee close for the award with the pair linking up well on a number of occasions. Next up for Hereford is two away trips to Yeovil and Crewe, starting with the game at Huish Park on Tuesday night.

Hereford: Gulacsi, Jackson, Antwi, Rose, Taylor, Gwynne, Diagouraga, Hewson, Done, Guinan, Brandy.

Subs: Veiga, Broadhurst, Smith, Johnson, Williams.

Leyton Orient: Jones, Spence, Mkandawire, Thelwell, Daniels, Smith, Chambers, Thornton, Demetriou, Church, McGleish.

Subs: Morris, Cave-Brown, Terry, Jarvis, Morgan.

We got away with it - Turner

There's little doubt Hereford United were somewhat lucky to take three points from this afternoon's game against Leyton Orient and manager Graham Turner admitted as much in his post match interview with BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"You've got to say for the last half hour it was a backs to the wall job," said Turner.

"It looked disorganised but there was plenty of spirit, plenty of fight and we got away with it.

"I thought Leyton Orient caused us all sorts of problems up front but at the same time we always looked capable of creating chances ourselves.

"Should have added to our two goals but we've worked hard and got away with one or two things. Delighted with it.

"We should have been 3-0 up. It was a great start going 2-0 up. Then Febs when he got through really should have scored. Once or twice we got around the back, good positions, probably should have made more of.

"But our biggest problem, particularily first half, was set pieces. We didn't seem able to cope with their height. They delivered some good balls. Once or twice we were almost on top of the keeper defending set pieces."

Turner was asked about the substitution of dender Godwin Antwi.

"I didn't think it was happening for him so Karl Broadhurst knows what the game's about and I made the change."

Turner was also asked about whether he would like to extend the loan of young striker Febian Brandy.

"I'm not sure whether we want him!" said Turner not doubt with a large grin on his face. 

Match off

Hereford's match at Alfreton is off due to a waterlogged pitch. 

Pitch inspection at Alfreton

There will be a pitch inspection at Alfreton at 9am this morning ahead of the match against Hereford.

There was heavy rain in Derbyshire last night.

We will provide the outcome once it has been announced. 

Downes Continues His Search For A Striker

Hereford manager Aaron Downes has told BBC Hereford and Worcester that he is still looking for a striker to add to the squad.

"We all know we need strengthening more so at the top end of the pitch. So we are looking at that.

"Although I'm happy with everyone we've got, I do know we need one or two.

"Probably the one I haven't quite got yet (is a striker) but we're trying hard, we're in communication with people." 

Listen to more of the interview: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0n3sjqy 

Keeper Burgoyne Leaves Alfreton For Shrewsbury

Ludlow born goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne has left Alfreton to take up a goalkeeper coach post at Shrewsbury.

Last Tuesday he was sent off in Alfreton's game against Scarborough. 

Back in August Burgoyne offered to play for Hereford but manager Paul Caddis declined his offer. 

This from Alfreton: 

We can confirm that goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne has departed the club by mutual consent to allow him to take up a full-time goalkeeping coach position at Shrewsbury. 

We thank Harry for his contribution during his time with us and wish him every success in his new role. 

This from Shrewsbury:

We are delighted to announce that Harry Burgoyne has rejoined the club as goalkeeper coach. 

The 29-year-old previously spent four years at Salop between 2020 and 2024, becoming a fans’ favourite during his time at the Croud Meadow and serving as a Her Game Too ambassador.

Harry, who was born in Ludlow, came through the ranks at Wolves before joining Town.

He has has since been at Morecambe in League Two as first-choice goalkeeper, as well as Alfreton Town most recently. 

Head coach Gavin Cowan said: "We wanted someone young and enthusiastic who really suited the model.

“I think Harry’s actual words when I called him were, ‘I was praying you were going to make this call.’

“He’s someone who loves the club and has a really strong affiliation with the supporters. Now he wants to be professional, get his head down and progress.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the level of detail he’s working at. He’s worked with a lot of very good goalkeeper coaches and, of course, had his own playing career.

“His enthusiasm really suits us. There’s a lot of energy in our management team and a lot of love for the football club, and he fits that perfectly - so for me it was a no-brainer.

“He’s a great lad, brilliant around the place, and his professionalism will shine through.” 

D'Ath Expected To Start In Place Of Mafuta Tomorrow

 

Lawson D'Ath is expected to start for Hereford at Alfreton tomorrow in place of Gus Mafuta who remains unfit.

"He felt his calf and we pulled him off in the Darlington game," said manager Aaron Downes.

"We rested him for the Saturday game, it was still a bit tight. Everything was pointing towards him being okay for Tuesday night (Chester).

"But he felt it in the warm up and we didn't want to take a risk.

"I can't see Gus playing tomorrow at Alfreton which is a loss.

"We're still assessing him, he was in last night at training, he's walking relatively pain-free but we've got to give him a little bit of time to get that fully right.

"The good news is Lawson came on and got some minutes on Tuesday night and he's fit and firing and ready to go.

"It's good to have his experience and quality in the group." 

Quotes from: https://herefordfc.co.uk/2026/02/interview-aaron-downes-ahead-of-alfreton-town/ 

HFC - goal machine

Hereford FC travel to Derbyshire on Saturday for a big old relegation tussle with Alfreton, with a renewed sense of hope that they can possibly blast their way to safety this season following a big win in every sense against Chester in midweek.

Was that a one-off? Will the new young recruits take to the Derbyshire mud in the same way they have to the Worcestershire plastic?

I mentioned before the Chester game that back-to-back wins would completely change the complexion of the attempted great escape. Given everything that had gone before, I didn’t have much hope of that becoming a reality, but the Bulls are halfway there and go into this one jet-propelled by that five-star midweek mullering. The previously goal-shy Bulls burst into life at Sixways, giving the suggestion that new manager Aaron Downes is finding the right formula in terms of the players he’s bringing in and how he’s asking the squad to play.

However, before I get too carried away, it was only one match, and because of what’s happened over the last six months before that one match, the club still sit second bottom in the league with a huge amount of work to do.

They’ve picked a rotten season to decide to have a little dalliance with the drop too, as other than Leamington everyone towards the bottom is picking up points consistently. Alfreton, Bedford, Kings Lynn and Southport all won on Tuesday.

Back in August the Bulls comfortably beat Alfreton 2-0, a result that gave some hope in suggesting that the abject defeats prior to that were as a result of the club being ill-prepared for the start of the season. Hereford are now one off the bottom with well over half the season gone, and those depressingly meek capitulations to Kings Lynn and Chorley in August were, after all, accurate reflections of what was to come.

The Reds aren’t actually that bad at home, but have somehow contrived to only score 16 goals in 14 home games in winning six and drawing three of them. The predictable flipside of that is that they’re very tough to score against on their own patch.

They’ve won three of their last five, and sit four points clear of Hereford having played four games more.

Newish manager Jake Buxton has instilled a ‘never say die’ attitude in his team, typified recently by a comeback 3-2 win against Merthyr having been 2-0 down with just 20 minutes left. The gifts given on Tuesday by Chester will not be given by Alfreton on Saturday.

Like Hereford, they can’t afford to employ a significant goalscorer, and their strength comes from their togetherness and that spirit.

Alfreton’s goalie, Ludlow-based Harry Burgoyne, was sent off in their win against Scarborough on Tuesday, forcing them to field his 18-year-old understudy for the final minutes. Unfortunately I don’t think his suspension will kick in for this game. Burgoyne had offered earlier in the season to play for Hereford for free when his previous club Morecambe were in some disarray, but then-manager Paul Caddis didn’t take him up on the offer – he may feel he’s got something to prove therefore.

Young Josh Ayers was lively in that Scarborough game, and is their most likely goal threat.

When this match was originally scheduled for early January before the weather intervened, Sam Osborne found himself in the bizarre situation of being back at his parent club and facing the side he’d just left (and reportedly still wanted to be at). Since returning to Alfreton, he’s bafflingly not even made the squad in their last five games. Hopefully that will continue to be the case here.

The Bulls squad continues to change quite considerably from match to match, but following Tuesday night’s fireworks are we finally, finally seeing a combination that might actually deliver some enjoyment and a cutting edge? Is Aaron Downes now able to field a more settled starting XI?

Cormac Daly will now have two opposition players marking him for the remainder of his time at Hereford, but as ever this frees up space and gives opportunities to others elsewhere.

George Munday looks to be a number of things that previous loanee striker Callum McFarlane wasn’t, all of them advantageous, Joseph James is a young defender with Championship-level first-team experience with Bristol City, a very interesting signing, and the various new arrivals from Cheltenham all look classy. However, if all you’ve got is ‘classy’ you’ll get found out at Alfreton. This will be an intriguing test for them.

The Bulls have those four games in hand over Saturday’s opponents, but they have a whopping six in hand over Oxford and Peterborough. There’s then a slightly concerning ten-point gap to Worksop, but above them Kings Lynn could get points docked for allegedly deliberately waterlogging their pitch. As things stand, therefore, fifth-bottom and safety looks arguably the most likely end-of-season outcome, but a loss here would be very difficult to stomach and would replant seeds of doubt in the minds of supporters.

If nothing else, that 5-2 win will give the side a huge confidence boost going into this one (and give the hosts pause for thought). An early goal would settle nerves and allow the side to forget all about the pressure of a relegation six-pointer, and go about once more attempting to make a nonsense of the club’s league position and everything that’s gone before. 

Amazing what a big win can do.

COYW