First Half Pictures Chorley v Hereford

A selection of pictures from the first half of yesterday's game.

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National North Weekend Review

Hereford's Cawley Cox With Manager Aaron Downes After Three Points At Chorley

A review of yesterday's games in the National North League written by NL's Sam Elliott. 

Just because there was exciting FA Cup action on offer, that didn’t mean the battle for points was halted with more intrigue at the top of both divisions.

South Shields strengthened their grip on the Enterprise National League North leadership with a crushing display.

They rolled Calum McIntrye’s Southport over 5-1 - Cedwyn Scott scored twice, with Paul Blackett, Adam Campbell and Jack Roles also on target.

Hednesford added to Morecambe’s issue with a 6-2 victory - Jamie Cooke scored an incredible hat-trick for the impressive Pitmen. Dylan Mottley-Henry added two, with Jamie Morgan sealing the deal.

Hereford are back on track and up to second after a 2-1 win at Chorley. Cawley Cox scored both goals for the Bulls.

Merthyr Town won 4-1 against Hebburn - Ellis Watts and Morgan Wigley added some extra time gloss.

Connor Woods’ late penalty saw Chester take the points home from nine man Brackley Town.

Louis Mount backed up a brilliant October as he carried on his good form. AFC Telford beat Spalding United 2-1.

Ross Crane but the seal on King’s Lynn Town 2-0 win at home to struggling Spennymoor Town.

Elsewhere, Scarborough Athletic came from 2-0 down to pinch a point from Buxton, Rio Allan’s penalty made it 2-2.

Hereford Scored With Two Strikers On The Pitch Said Preece

Cawley Cox Scored Both Hereford's Goals

Chorley manager Andy Preece felt his side deserved something out of yesterday's game against Hereford.

Chorley took the lead but two goals from Hereford's sub striker Cawley Cox gave the visitors the win. 

"It's the toughest one to take so far this season." said Preece in his post match interview.

"The way we played I thought we were excellent through out the game. We defended really well, we won the majority of the battles, we were very good going forward.

"We created opportunities, their keeper has made a couple of great saves, but we created a great goal.

"We lost because we made two small errors and got punished for it.

"The first one, we made an error, let the ball bounce so they managed to get hold of the ball around the edge of the box.

"The lad's (Cox) had a shot, it's got a massive deflection, I think it was their first shot on target in the game and it's deflected in.

"Then we had a right go again to get a goal.

"But again we make an error in mid-field and we let the ball drop and no one is around.

"And they are good when they pick the ball up between your mid-field and your defence.

"Normally they play with two strikers, they didn't start the game with two but when they scored they had two strikers on the pitch. 

"One has got it, turned it over the top for the other one. He's gone through and a really good finish.

"And then we had one and it hits the bar, so one of those days. We didn't deserve to come off there with no points. 

"Credit to Hereford, they stuck in the game and competed really well, never gave up.

"Credit to them they've kept going.

"Sometimes you've got to find a win when you're not the best team and credit to them they did today." 

Pictures From Chorley

Hereford were at Chorley yesterday.

It is an old stadium which could do with a face lift. The pitch is grass but looked like it needs a re-seed. It did not play very well, quite bobbly. And the lights when they came on at the start of the second half were quite dim. 

Hereford supporters were 'housed' at the one end and slightly up the side adjoining the main stand. At least there was some cover unlike at Macclesfield two weeks ago.

The official attendance was given as 1320 with 130 in the away end. It looked more and certainly sounded as though there were more as the Hereford fans were in good voice all afternoon. 

As for the food, the steak pie was very good. 8 out of 10.

As usual BN will have pictures from before, during and after the game.

So we'll start before kick-off.

 

Match Report: Chorley FC 1-2 Hereford FC

Chorley FC v Hereford FC in the Enterprise National League North.

Following a hat-trick of home defeats with the latest being last Saturday's 3-0 loss to former Boss Paul Caddis’ King's Lynn Town, the Bulls made the trip Lancashire and a tussle at The Grant Store Victory Park Stadium with Chorley FC looking to get back to winning ways. 

There were three changes to the starting XI with Lewis Hudson and Joe Willis making their first starts of the season following their respective injuries along with Keziah Martin. Aaron Skinner who’d picked up a hamstring problem missed out along with Billy Phillips who continued to miss out following his knock against Telford. Will Merrett was suspended after picking up his 5th yellow card of the season against the Linnets and Danny Waldron dropped to the bench.

The Magpies started former Bulls loanee’s Harvey Smith and Callum Rowe with Doncaster Rovers’ loanee goalkeeper Jake Oram between the sticks who'd already played against the Bulls this season for Spennymoor Town.

Hereford started on the front foot with a cheap corner conceded by the hosts which Luke Spokes floated towards the edge of the box just flying over the head of Hudson.

The hosts quickly responded with Preston North End loanee Max Wilson thrashing wide of the target from 20-yards.

Adam Blakeman floated a free-kick from near the left touchline towards the back post which was headed back across goal by Max Hunt with Magpies captain Mike Calveley drawing a point-blank save out of Theo Richardson on his goal-line.

Wilson let fly again from a similar position to his earlier effort but again failed to test Richardson driving high over the crossbar.

Chorley were starting to build a head of steam winning another corner on the left which Blakeman swung into the front post with the ball eventually being recycled out to Steven Bala on the left - the on loan midfielder from Danish side Akademisk Boldklub hammered narrowly past the right hand angle of post and bar before they won a free-kick 30-yards out which again sailing over the bar from Jack Moore.

It had been a half mostly played in Hereford's half with the Bulls failing to have a shot on target or meaningfully test Oram resulting in a stalemate at the interval.

Half-time: Chorley FC 0-0 Hereford FC

9 minutes after the restart the hosts opened the scoring which had been coming. Debutant Owen Devonport on loan from Buxton spun Joseph James on the edge of the area before proceeding to clip inch perfect cross to the far post for the onrushing Elliot Taylor to plant a header past Richardson despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball.

After going behind 4 minutes later Hereford brought on Cawley Cox which seemed to wake them up finally testing Oram with the striker warming his gloves shooting straight into his clutches.

Shortly afterwards the striker got the Bulls back on level terms giving Oram no chance, he drifted to the edge of the area and with no black and white striped shirt closing him down he decided to unleash a powerful left footed ripper which took a double ricochet firstly off Hunt before taking another off the midriff of Moore and trickled into the bottom right-corner.

The Magpies looked to regain their lead going back on the attack with Bala's looping curler clawed away by the Hereford No.1 for a corner.

However shortly afterwards Cox completed the turnaround getting his brace after he was played in following a ball over the top by fellow substitute Waldron 40-yards out before Oram came rushing out to try to narrow angle only for Cox to slot the ball over the head of the custodian.

Chorley responded with captain Calveley rippling the side netting from a tight angle before a rapid counter-attack from the Bulls with Hudson leading the charge down the left flank rolling the ball across the edge of the box for Martin who curled over.

Late on Chorley came millimetres away from snatching a point, Bala found space on the right hand side of the area - whipped a teasing ball onto the head of Accrington Stanley loanee Anjola Popoola who with his first touch rattled the crossbar.

The Bulls saw the remaining few seconds out to bounce back and complete a remarkable comeback to get back to winning ways.

Full-time: Chorley FC 1-2 Hereford FC

Goals scored by Cawley Cox (x2)

Hereford FC: 1. Theo Richardson, 3. Lewis Hudson ©️, 4. Kam Kandola, 6. Joe Willis, 7. Keziah Martin, 8. Harry Tustin, 11. Fin Holmes, 14. Luke Spokes, 17. Joseph James, 19. Harrison Iwunze, 28. Kyle Howkins.

Substitutes: 9. Cawley Cox, 10. Danny Waldron, 15. Jordan Williamson, 20. Preston Bitemo, 21. Ollie Lewis, 30. Kameron Muir.

The perfect tonic to bounce back from three straight home defeats on the spin and get back to winning ways. Super sub Cawley Cox led the charge making the difference with a brace after we fell behind and had failed to test Oram in the first-half.

A quick turnaround and another trip to Lancashire on Tuesday night to renew acquaintances with old foes Morecambe at the Halo Aerospace Stadium. COYW

Words: Sam Cummins 

Cawley Cox gives verdict on Hereford’s win at Chorley

Cawley Cox has given his thoughts on Hereford’s 2-1 win at Chorley as he netted a brace.

Press play to listen in full

Delighted Aaron Downes analyses Hereford’s win at Chorley

Hereford Aaron Downes has given his verdict on his side’s 2-1 win at Chorley.

Press play to listen in full.

This Afternoon's National North Results

Brackley 0 Chester 1

Chorley 1 Hereford 2

Hednesford 6 Morecambe 2

Kings Lynn 2 Spennymoor 0

Merthyr 4 Hebburn 1

Scarborough 2 Buxton 2

South Shields 5Southport 1

Telford 2 Spalding 1

Hereford are now in second place.

Full Time Chorley v Hereford

 This afternoon's game at Chorley ended:

Chorley 1 Hereford 2

Chorley took the lead but a great fight back from Hereford secured the three points.

Cawley Cox scored both Hereford goals.

Half Time Chorley v Hereford

At half time it's

Chorley 0  Hereford 

Richardson has been the busier of the two keepers so far. One particular save early in the half helped keep Hereford in the game.

Hereford Team News For Chorley

Hereford team news for this afternoon's National North League fixture at Chorley.

Lewis Hudson starts, no place for Aaron Skinner who has a hamstring proble..

Billy Phiĺlips also misses out and Will Merrett is suspended

Hereford: Richardson, Hudson,   Kandola, Tustin,  Willis, Holmes, Spokes, James, Iwunze, Howkins, Martin

Subs: Waldron,  Cox, Lewis, Muir, Bitemo, Williamson

Today's National North League Fixtures

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

Brackley v Chester

Chorley v Hereford

Hednesford v Morecambe

Kings Lynn v Spennymoor

Merthyr v Hebburn

Scarborough v Buxton

South Shields v Southport

Telford v Spalding 

From The Archives - Matt Clarke Joins Hereford United

Matt Clarke - Picture From Matt Healey

It was during November 1998 that defender Matt Clarke joined Hereford United.

A look back:

MATT Clarke today vowed to put a nine month injury nightmare behind him and prove his Conference class at Hereford United reports the Sports Argus.

The 24-year-old defender is delighted to have been handed the chance to revive his career in non-League's top flight after linking up with the Bulls on a free transfer from Kidderminster Harriers.

Twelve months ago, Clarke seemed to have taken the next step on the ladder into League football when he joined Harriers in a £10,000 move from Halesowen Town, marked down as Crewe-bound Marcus Bignot's successor.

But he managed 14 starts before being laid low by injury in February - and he hasn't played a first team game since.

He was due to make his Bulls debut today against Doncaster and he vowed: I want to make up for lost time.

"It's nine months since I last played in the Conference and the main thing is that I get back to playing regular football," said Clarke, who had fought back from a double hernia operation last season, only to suffer an ankle injury in pre-season.

"It's a great set-up at Kidderminster and I would have loved to stay there but I couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel.

"It's been very frustrating on the sidelines.

"But I still think I've got a lot to offer as a Conference player and I'm grateful that Graham Turner has given me a chance at Hereford.

"I'm confident in my ability that if I get that chance I will keep my place."

Hednesford, Telford and Halesowen Town had all been alerted when Clarke was given a free transfer but it was the link with Turner and Bulls chief scout Ron Jukes, who had taken him to Wolves as a trainee, that tipped the balance.

"I thought I might have had to drop down a level but it was very flattering that a few Conference clubs were interested in me," added Clarke.

"Having a taste of Conference football, I'm hungry for some more."

Jukes, who had spotted Clarke as a West Bromwich schoolboy, points out that Hereford will have more than one player in bringing him to Edgar Street.

While Clarke prefers a right-back role, he has figured as a central defender and can also slot into midfield.

"When you have a small squad, like we do you are always on the look-out for someone who can play in several positions," added Jukes. "Matt has got a versatility that will assist the squad.

"He's still got time on his side; he has got a degree of Conference experience and I'm sure he will do well."  

Anti-Social Behaviour In Non-League Football

The Guardian has published an article about anti-social behaviour in Non-League football. In particular it noted the growing trend of more problems with teenagers.

It covers recent troubles involving Hednesford youngsters and what that club is trying to do the address the menace. 

One paragraph mentions trouble at Hereford caused by Redditch fans.

'In the West Midlands, for example, teens from Hednesford will band together with those nominally affiliated with Redditch or Cannock Town. When there was trouble recently at Hednesford’s fixture at Hereford, local police said the majority of disorder had been caused by Redditch fans chasing supporters from Solihull Moors. It isn’t just local either. Children as young as 12 have been detained in the north-west having travelled from the south coast, a distance of more than 200 miles.' 

Link to the article: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/nov/07/antisocial-behaviour-non-league-football-youth-hooligans-police 

Fireworks needed following Halloween horror

An away match! Hurray!

Hereford FC travel up to Lancashire to play Chorley on Saturday, presumably grateful for a break from Edgar Street and a chance to pick up some points on the road. Three home games have delivered no points and no goals recently, so this, and a trip to troubled Morecambe on Tuesday in a Lancashire double-header, could be just what’s needed to regain some confidence.

A 4-2 loss in this fixture last season, courtesy of some characteristically charitable defending, resulted in the first real groundswell of movement among fans against Paul Caddis continuing as manager. We may be having a bit of a wobble, but things are generally a lot rosier a year on.

The club has benefitted from some bumper gates this season already, suggesting that the coffers are in a reasonably healthy state. If the manager felt that some strengthening was needed he’d presumably be backed, but that may be a bit premature if recent form is just a blip, and he seems keen to allow the squad as it stands the opportunity to prove that.

There’s a slight sense that the side is getting out-nastied on occasion and is consistently second-best in playing the ref. There’s plenty to recommend that from an ethical point of view, but the National League North isn’t exactly known for prioritising or rewarding an ethical approach. 

Aaron Downes does have some scope for tinkering in order to get the side out of this poor recent run. Fit-again Joe Willis could start in the centre of midfield with Kam Kandola slipping back into a three at the back. More will presumably be seen of Kameron Muir over the next few games, and of course club captain Lewis Hudson is back in the squad. Downes would presumably prefer to initially bring him on for a few minutes at the end of a game that’s already been put to bed, which will hopefully be this one.

Preston Bitemo is back, and the Bulls’ poor patch has coincided with his absence, so perhaps that bit of bite(mo) that he provides has been lacking.

Billy Phillips wasn’t deemed quite ready last Saturday after limping off against Telford, but could make the bench here.

While recent home form has been horrible, the Bulls’ away record this season reads W4 D1 L1. Plenty to be positive about there.

Chorley are all over the place form-wise, alternately winning and losing each week. It’s unsurprising then that they’re bang in the middle of the table, six points behind Hereford. They’re solid enough at Victory Park though, having won four of their seven home games.

Andy Preece will be irritated by that inconsistency, and I can’t imagine he’s much fun to be around when he’s irritated. The Worcestershire-born manager would have been hoping to turn things round this season, following a finish last time only five points above Hereford. Early signs suggest that they’re still some way short of returning to being one of the hardest-to-beat sides in the division.

Ex-Bull Harvey Smith has now been at the club for several seasons and is something of a fixture in their starting XI. They have lost someone who was even more of a fixture though in long-term goalie Matt Urwin, who is now at Spennymoor, although it was reported by something presumably AI-generated that he was having a ‘career break’, which is a bit insulting to Spennymoor.

Higher up the pitch ex-Alfreton forward Lewis Salmon has scored against Hereford before, and centre forward Elliot Taylor looks to be something of a find. Signed from lower-league Burscough in the summer, the 24-year-old has five goals this season.

Whilst Hereford were having an absolute horror-show on Halloween against Kings Lynn, Chorley also lost, 2-0 at struggling Spennymoor. That result will have done little for the Magpies’ spirits given that Moors have been losing to everyone, and offers plenty of hope for Hereford if they can put those home wobbles behind them and remember how good they’ve been away this season.

They also got dumped out of the Cup by Worcester recently, although maybe it’s safer not to dwell on getting dumped out of the Cup too much, especially as they went deeper into the competition than, er, some teams did.

Time to put this recent nonsense to bed and start shooting on sight, scoring goals and winning games again. 0-2 Bulls.

COYW