Full Time At Sixways

A look at the scenes after the final whistle in the game between Hereford and Chester last night.

Downes Looks Forward To Alfreton

Next for Hereford FC is a trip to Alfreton on Saturday. A somewhat different challenge compared with last night's opponents Chester.

But manager Aaron Downes said he knows what to expect.

"I know exactly what to expect, we all know what to expect," he said.

"These are situations we have got to navigate and I've go to manage.

"What we can't do is get too high, get too carried away.

"We've had two out of three which is a really good start but at the same time we've got to make sure we go to Alfreton and show them due respect that they deserve."

Loan player Cormac Daly probably knows about Alfreton as Nottingham Forest Under 21's sometimes play there. 

"He's probably been there and knows all about the stadium but the opposition is going to be totally different to what he is used to," added Downes.

"These are all great moments for him to learn from and I'm sure Forest are really happy he is getting some minutes and time on the pitch and experience." 

Match Pictures Hereford v Chester

A few pictures from last night's game at Sixways.

 

Highlights Hereford v Chester

Probably the most entertaining highlights of this season to date.

To watch: https://herefordfc.co.uk/2026/02/highlights-hereford-fc-5-2-chester-fc/ 

News round up

Dylan Mitchell

Former Bulls loanee Dylan Mitchell has joined National League North side AFC Telford United on a permanent deal following his departure from Swindon Town.

The 20-year-old left four months before his contract expiry and went straight onto the bench for Telford’s 2-2 draw with South Shields. Mitchell previously had loan spells at Hereford, Weston-super-Mare and Leamington.

Swindon boss Ian Holloway said the midfielder “has a good future ahead of him” and hopes the move gives him the chance to “get his career going”.

Kidderminster Harriers have achieved Three Star Accreditation status from England Football.

The accolade recognises high standards in coaching, governance, inclusion and safeguarding, with clubs required to provide full pathways for boys’, girls’ and disability football.

Harriers said the progression reflects significant investment to enhance opportunities across the club, underlining their commitment to delivering accessible football provision at the heart of the community.

Oxford City have signed Oxford United legend Matty Taylor in a playing role after the Championship club confirmed he would take up an academy coaching position.

The striker, who scored 41 goals in 112 games during his second spell with Oxford United, brings extensive EFL experience.

Taylor said: “I’m delighted to be here,” while City boss Ross Jenkins added he has “a wealth of experience” and “knows where the goal is”.

Blackburn Rovers under-21s forward Zack Stritch has joined Curzon Ashton on loan until the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 20-year-old will gain his first experience of senior football with the mid-table Nash. Stritch came off the bench to make his home debut in Tuesday evening’s 2-1 defeat to Darlington.

King’s Lynn have signed veteran midfielder Martin Woods, who brings extensive experience from English and Scottish football.

The 40-year-old began his career at Sunderland before spells with Rotherham United, Doncaster Rovers - winning the 2012-13 League One title - Halifax Town, and Boston United, where he previously worked under Linnets manager Ian Culverhouse. He also won the Scottish League Cup with Ross County in 2013-14.

Woods made his debut in Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Buxton.

Downes hails ‘galvanised’ Bulls spirit after five-star display

Aaron Downes

Aaron Downes says he is “really impressed” by the spirit inside the Hereford dressing room after watching his side in a seven-goal thriller against Chester.

The Bulls have endured a challenging campaign to say the least, but three points from a 5-2 win over Chester at Sixways now sees them five points from safety.

But the manager, who is now into his ninth day with the club, believes recent setbacks have strengthened the group rather than fractured it.

It was a very good performance, it's not the perfect performance. Perfect would have been 5-0, but I can't really be too disappointed. I'm very happy.

"I keep praising the players but really they've done superb. What's really impressed me is the spirit amongst them and the spirit in them individually. They've had to galvanise, they've had some disappointments.

"I'm really impressed with some of the performances tonight that haven't been involved in the first two games. I'm also impressed with the people who didn't play tonight and their attitude and that says to me that we've got some good blokes in there and that's important to me."

Downes also highlighted the impact of new additions Harrison Sohna and Joseph James, who he believes have brought “youthful energy” and enthusiasm that has lifted standards across the squad.

“They’ve got levels of enthusiasm and desire and they want to come in and improve. It can be infectious,” he added.

Downes said Sohna, a product of Aston Villa who has signed for Hereford after being released by Cheltenham, has "got quality levels above", evident in his technical ability.

"It's important for me to now put my arm around him and give him a little bit of a short-term home, and give him that belief in himself because there's a player in there.

"We've just got to make him competitive, make him understand what it is to be at this level, but at the same time, not to put too many constraints on him, let him go.

"That's similar to a few other players. I can't take all the credit on recruitment because there's some good players here that have been recruited in the short term as well.

"I thought Cormac [Daly] was brilliant tonight, a real threat. I thought Kazzy Martin was really good, a real bright spark.

"George [Munday] was really good up front as well. So there's a lot of really good performances."

Before Kick-Off Against Chester At Sixways

Under the lights at Sixways last night as Hereford played Chester, Some pictures from before kick-off.

Downes in constant contact with Nottingham Forest over Daly future

Cormac Daly

Aaron Downes says he is in “constant communication” with Nottingham Forest regarding Cormac Daly’s future — despite the forward having initially been reported as joining Hereford FC until the end of the season.

Daly impressed again in Tuesday’s five-goal victory, with the 18-year-old proving a consistent handful for defenders as he netted a brace.

When asked about keeping the striker long-term, Downes replied: “That’s the plan. I’m in constant communication with Nottingham Forest.

“I’ve got a good relationship with them, so ideally, yes, we want to talk about it.”

While the understanding has been that Daly’s spell runs through to the end of the campaign, Downes’ comments suggest ongoing dialogue between the clubs as his development continues.

“He was a handful,” the Bulls boss said. “There’s still work Cormac needs to learn. He’s 18.

“We’ve spoken to him about being ruthless and getting numbers in the game."

Downes believes the loan is providing valuable experience for the teenager and is keen to ensure his progress continues.

“I’m sure Forest are really happy that he’s getting the minutes, the time on the pitch and the experience.”

Daly, who arrived at Edgar Street in January alongside fellow Forest youngster Cherif Yaya, started his career in Scotland for Hamilton Academical before signing his professional contract at Nottingham Forest.

He was part of the team that shocked Scottish youth football by winning the domestic under-18 league and both deals were said to be until the end of the season.

Downes still hunting striker despite five-goal haul

Aaron Downes

Aaron Downes insists Hereford will continue their search for a striker — despite hitting five goals for the first time in 753 days on Tuesday night in a 5-2 win over Chester.

The Bulls produced one of their most fluent attacking displays of the season, with George Munday leading the line superbly and receiving strong support from midfield and wide areas.

But Downes was quick to temper any suggestion that the emphatic win ends the debate over reinforcements up front.

Hereford still have up to eight games in hand, though it's only the two clubs either side of them in the table who have scored fewer goals.

“I’m still looking, don’t worry about that,” he said when asked whether the performance had silenced talk of needing another forward.

When asked if a new striker might be coming in, he added: “Yeah, hopefully.”

"Tonight was more about desire and endeavour and should I say game plan, the way we wanted to attack the night."

The manager revealed the result was built on detailed preparation, including a tactical meeting the night before the game.

“It’s not full-time so we’ve got to get as much time in with the players as possible,” he explained. “The lads gave up 20 minutes of their evening last night for me, which I really appreciate, in order to get some information and detail into them. It's drip feeding.

“We’ve done a lot of work out of possession and yesterday was all about in possession. The boys took it on really well.”

Downes stressed there is “still room for improvement” but described the victory as “another really good step in the right direction” as he continues shaping the squad.

Match report: Hereford hit five for first time in 753 days to see off Seals

Striker George Munday Scored Hereford's Fifth Goal

Hereford ran out deserved 5-2 winners over Chester in a crucial National League North game at Sixways, which sees them three points closer to safety.

With the threat of relegation still looming over the Bulls, they made it six points out of the nine on offer since Aaron Downes took over from Caddis eight days ago.

Two goals from George Munday and one each for Justin Donawa, Cormac Daly, Keziah Martin meant it was the first time Hereford had put five goals past a side in the league since a 5-2 win over Blyth Spartans on 3rd February 2024 - 88 games ago, or 753 days.

Ahead of the game, Downes made four changes to the side that lost 2-1 to well-drilled promotion-hopefuls Scarborough on Saturday, with Matt Preston, Harley Hamilton, Harry Tustin, and Andy Williams making way for Kyle Howkins, Justin Donawa, new signing Harrison Sohna and Keziah Martin.

With Mafuta and Tustin both carrying knocks, the shuffle of personnel ahead of a jam-packed fixture looked to get off to a bad start as the Bulls fell behind after just five minutes. As Chester burst forward, a cross in from the left saw Keenan Quansah fail to clear under pressure, with the ball falling to Finley Shrimpton to bundle in from close range.

But despite the early setback, Hereford, somewhat uncharacteristically, didn't let their heads drop. Donawa claimed the Bulls' first real chance in the 11th minute, though couldn't find the target. 

Though the exiled Bulls fans only had to wait five minutes to see their side draw back level. Hereford went route one with a long, lofted ball forward from captain Hudson at left back and it was Munday who brought it under control and teed up Donawa to equalise.

Despite Chester nearly restoring their lead as Michael Kelly's free kick went inches wide of Theo Richardson's goal, Hereford started to click as a side and, committing bodies forward, had Martin fire wide from 20 yards, and Daly denied by a last-ditch defensive block before taking the lead.

On the half-hour mark at Sixways, Skinner surged forward from his position on the right of the back four, Martin and Munday combined well before Daly was picked out at the back post.

But as the game looked to be turning into a goalfest, the hosts were pegged back just four minutes later as Howkins brought Dylan Mottley-Henry down inside the area. After referee Jonathan Maskrey pointed to the spot without hesitation, Connor Woods sent Richardson the wrong way as he dispatched the penalty into the right-hand side of the net.

Undeterred, four minutes later the Bulls went ahead for a second time. Nottingham Forest loanee Daly, already putting in a man-of-the-match performance, burst down the left flank and left his man for dust, crossing in for Keziah Martin to slide home.

Sorry No Picture Of The Goal

Despite still looking shaky defensively, with both goals avoidable, Hereford had looked dangerous on the attack and were deservedly ahead at the break.

Daly Closing In On The Keeper Just Before The Break

Half time: Hereford 3 - Chester 2

Chester came out after the break, understandably desperate to score the next goal, though the Bulls did well to absorb most of the pressure and left the visitors passing around in midfield. The best chance for the hosts fell to Pat Jones who was denied by Hudson throwing his body in front of the shot on the line, with Tom Leak unable to control his shot on the rebound and firing over.

For Hereford, they continued searching for a fourth to make the scoreline more comfortable, with two Munday efforts off target before Donawa did similar. Daly, wanting his second, once again got the better of his man and forced a save out of Bobby Jones.

Chester were still pushing for an equaliser, though the closest they came was through Mottley-Henry in the 73rd minute when he cut inside and beat Quansah but couldn't get the better of Richardson.

After 39 minutes without a goal, Daly bagged his brace in the 77th minute. Hitting Chester on the counterattack, Martin, who only made the starting XI when Mafuta pulled up in the warm-up, found Daly on the wing - his initial shot was parried by Jones but in a stroke of luck, the rebound fell kindly and he made no mistake at the second time of asking.

Now with a two-goal cushion, the Bulls weren't done scoring. Three minutes later and it was Lawson D'Ath, playing his first minutes more than a month after picking up an injury, who created the fifth. The midfielder, who received a good reception when he replaced solid debutant Sohna, played a loose ball into the path of Munday, who rounded the keeper with ease and slotted home into the back of an unguarded net.

Full time: Hereford 5 - Chester 2

Well, what a win for the Lilywhites. A completely different performance to Saturday and, now just five points from safety, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hereford created and took their chances and got what they deserved. Despite still looking vulnerable in defence, with Chester picking on the full-backs who are perhaps too easily beaten and trying to force and capitalise on mistakes from the centre-backing pairing, not playing with one, isolated striker made an untold difference - the front three were too good for Chester on the night, and Cormac Daly was a league above.

Hereford: Richardson, Hudson, Willcox, Howkins, Quansah, Skinner (James 82'), Sohna (D'Ath 73'), Donawa (Williams 82), Martin, Daly, Munday

Subs not used: Preston, Rooney, Lewis, Hamilton

Chester: B. Jones, K. Roberts (Woodthorpe 46′), Leak, Croker, Kelly, Shrimpton, Murray (Leigh 61′), Weeks, P. Jones, Woods, Mottley-Henry

Subs not used: Davies, I. Burgess, White, F. Roberts

Attendance: 1053 with 170 away.