Hereford 2 - Shepshed Dynamo 1

Despite the midweek victory over Pershore in the Midland Football League Cup, Hereford FC manager Pete Beadle reverted mainly to the starting XI that beat Boldmere St Michaels last Saturday. Ryan Green made his Hereford FC debut in place of Jimmy Oates at right back, whilst there was also a place for fellow new signing Sirdic Grant who had also received international clearance. The former Bulls trialist was named on the bench for today’s game. A late change was forced upon Beadle when Nathan Hughes pulled out in the warm up to be replaced in the starting XI by Sol Wheatley.

Pablo Heysham was awarded a free kick after being tripped on the edge of the box 12 minutes into the first half. With supporters hoping for a repeat of the sensational free kick against Boldmere last week, Heysham failed to keep his shot down as the ball sailed over Price’s goal.

The first clear-cut chance of a lacklustre first half came with just 5 minutes remaining. A cross whipped in from the left was met by Pablo Heysham but his shot was well saved by the keeper. Neither side created much in the way of chances in the first half, however the addition of Ryan Green to the back four further strengthened Hereford’s defence denying Shepshed any meaningful chances.

HT: Hereford 0 - Shepshed Dynamo 0

With little more than a minute gone of the second half, Hereford failed to deal with a low Shepshed cross from the left, Matt Langham got the final touch on the ball to put the visitors ahead. 

However, just 2 minutes later Hereford pulled themselves back level. The former Didcot duo of John Mills and Pablo Heysham combined well; Heysham did well to dribble into the box getting to the byline, after pulling the ball back for his strike partner John Mills, he was able to score with a looping effort over Price. 

John Mills Looks To Check His Shot Has Gone In

As Hereford started to gain some much needed momentum, they started to create a few more goalscoring opportunities. The first came after a long ball was played forward by Ryan Green. As John Mills got onto the end of it, his effort was only parried by Dynamo’s stopper before he scrambled to smother the ball ahead of the onrushing Page. Minutes later John Mills missed a sitter when he was left with just the keeper to beat, he sent his shot agonisingly wide of the upright.

On the 67 minute mark Shepshed were reduced to 10 men. After picking up the ball on the left flank, Adam Page's run was brought abruptly to a halt when he was impeded by Lee Miveld 20 yards out. Referee Ollie Williams deemed the foul worthy of a yellow card and the Dynamo’s skipper was then shown the red card for his second bookable offence. Pablo Heysham took the resulting free kick, but his effort was too high to trouble the Shepshed goalkeeper.

Hereford were unlucky not to make it 2 on the 70th minute. John Mills' header was acrobatically tipped over the bar before a Joel Edwards header from the subsequent corner was inches wide.

Within 60 seconds of replacing Sol Wheatley, Carlos Moreira did well to dispossess his man on the right. After cutting into the box he went down under a heavy challenge by a Shepshed defender who arguably played the ball. However the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot much to derision of the Shepshed players and officials.

Carlos Moriera Cuts In

But Is Brought Down

With John Mills stepping up to take the spot kick he managed to send the keeper the wrong way as the ball nestled in the top left hand corner of the net.

After the restart Shepshed had more urgency going forward, but failed to create any meaningful chances and Hereford comfortably saw the game out for a fourth straight victory.

FT: Hereford 2 - Shepshed Dynamo 1

Att: 2,419

Sponsors' MotM: Adam Page

Hereford: Rivers, Green, Edwards, Bonella, Willets, Summers, Wheatley (Moreira - 84'), Birch, Mills, Haysham, Page.

Subs not used: Gwynne, Miller, Kontic-Coveney, Grant.

Shepshed Dynamo: Price, Green, Young, Miveld, Appleton, Betts, Duffy, Prenderville, Langham (Hamilton - 75'), Reeve, Reed (Rigby - 80').

Subs not used: Meade, Hohn, Davies

---