Bulls Begin With Win

Mascots Louis And Max Marriott Lead Out The Officials And The Two Teams

Today saw Hereford FC play their first game at Edgar Street in front of the biggest Edgar Street crowd since the 2012 FA Cup replay against Cheltenham. A similar starting XI to Tuesday at Malvern took to the hallowed turf; boss Peter Beadle didn't want to risk Joel Edwards, so it was left to Tony James to pick up the captain’s armband.

With FC United of Manchester being three leagues above Hereford it was no surprise they had the first chances of the game, culminating with a shot down low to the right of Hereford’s goalkeeper Harvey Rivers who denied them the opener with a fine save.

Following some FCUM pressure, a quick break away saw the ball find Soloman Whitley on the wing who crossed the ball well but the onrushing Pearson just failed to find the finishing touch. 

The Bulls had the last chance of the first half when a clearance, following a FC United corner, allowed Josh Emery to make good progress down the line before cutting into the box. FCUM goalkeeper Nick Culkin stole the ball from Emery’s feet to ensure the sides went into half time with the scores still level.

HT: Hereford FC 0 – FC United of Manchester 0

Cory Williams, who was part of Beadle’s successful youth team, came on for FC United for whom he is currently trialing with.

Hereford won a corner at the start of the second half; with Culkin failing to stop the ball going behind, it meant Hereford could take their first corner at Edgar Street in front of a packed Meadow End. With the first ball being deflected behind, Hereford couldn’t capitalise on the second corner either, with the attack eventually petering out.

A foul committed on the edge of the box by Hereford meant FCUM kept up the pressure on the reformed Bulls. The resulting header was wide, but minutes later Hereford had a chance at the other end. Purdie released Nathan Summers down the wing who managed to win a corner; the former Hereford United utility man played the resulting pair of corners deep into the 18-yard box, but Hereford were unable to convert either.

Beadle then made a quartet of substitutions; Tuesday’s goalscorer Dale Hodge was one, along with former Cheltenham Town Academy player Nathan Hughes.

In the 65th minute, Sam Emery whipped the ball into the box, nobody could connect with it until it reached Soloman Whitley on the left; his cross was only half stopped by the FCUM keeper who couldn’t hold onto the ball and it popped up for Nathan Hughes to get the final touch with his knee to score the first Hereford FC goal at Edgar Street.

Nathan Hughes Rushes Towards The Ball Which Lands Up In The Net

Fellow Players Congratulate Hughes

Hereford’s goalscorer Hughes was fouled as he tried to make his way towards the 18-yard box. Rob Purdie took the free kick deep into the area, but Hughes couldn’t get his second of the game as his header well over. 

There were a couple more chances for both sides before the final whistle, but with Harvey Rivers on top form, FC United couldn’t grab an equaliser. As for Hereford, a ball out to wing by Hodge was crossed into the box; the ball was cleared back out to Purdie on the left who made a determined run into the danger area only to lose possession just before he could get his shot away.

FT: Hereford FC 1 – FC United of Manchester 0

Att: 4,257 with 328 Red Rebels

Sponsors’ MotM: Goalkeeper Harvey Rivers

Hereford From: Rivers, Craddock, Haines, Bonella, James T (capt), Summers, Miller, Emery, Pearson, Purdie, Wheatley, Hughes, Kontic-Coveney, James M, McDonald, Hunt, Hodge, Aurelias.

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