Rocester 0-2 Hereford

Joe Tumelty Made His Debut For Hereford FC

Two second half goals sent Hereford through to the second round of the FA Vase against a powerful Rocester side, determined to make life difficult for Pete Beadle's men.

After a tricky first half in which Rocester had the better chances, Jamie Willets' far post header and a clever finish by John Mills sealed the 2-0 victory.

The Staffordshire village is home to digger maker JCB and the company's world headquarters dominate. Rocester play in the yellow and black colours made famous by the firm.

Hereford went into the game without captain Joel Edwards and defender Ryan Green, who's suffering with flu. Joe Tumelty made his debut in midfield following his move from Frome this week. Pete Beadle named youngster Jay Richmond among the substitutes, and did without the cup-tied Adam Page and Anthony Robbins.

The sun beamed down on a clear and still autumn day as the first half got underway. Rocester's physical presence helped them shade the opening period with the big defensive duo Carl Allen and Tom Land keeping Mills and Pablo Haysham quiet.

Hereford were lively but lacked the cutting edge in the final third. The Bulls' best opportunity came after half an hour, when Haysham's 30 yard free kick was pushed around the posted, after Haysham himself had been brought down.

At the other end, Harvey Rivers was in good form. He tipped one effort over, and stopped a Dan Brown shot with his legs to keep the scores level. It was goalless at the break, which certainly beats being 3-0 down within a quarter of an hour least time the Bulls travelled to Hillsfield.

The second half saw Hereford turn up the heat on their hosts. Both Mills and Haysham tested the goalkeeper before Hereford took the lead seven minutes after the restart. A Rob Purdie corner found Willets at the far post, and his powerful header put Hereford ahead.

Jamie Willets Scores His First Goal For Hereford FC

 

Having A Shoulder To Lean On Might Have Helped

Passion

Rocester were playing with confidence, though. They continued to press Rivers' goal, with the Bulls 'keeper doing well to tip one effort over as the defensive unit looked nervous under pressure. Rocester's central defender Tom Land's header was grabbed by Rivers under pressure, as the home side pushed for an equaliser.

Pete Beadle rung the changes, with Nathan Summers and then Ben Miller coming on to add fresh impetus to the Hereford team. This led to a second goal eight minutes from time. Miller and Tumelty combined to find Mills in the box, who lifted the ball over the sprawling Richard Froggatt in the Rocester goal to double Hereford's advantage.

John Mills In Control

The Goalkeeper Is Beaten

And Mills Doubles The Advantage

Mills almost found a third for Hereford in the dying stages, when his shot from twelve yards out was pushed behind for a corner.

Hereford will be pleased with the victory against a stubborn Rocester side, who make the league trip to Edgar Street next Saturday. The draw for the second round of the FA Vase will be on Monday, when Hereford will be hoping for a home draw as the road to Wembley continues.

Rocester: Froggatt, Wadsworth, Fogg, Land (capt), Allen, Sowter, Ritchie-Smith, Tom Brown, Dan Brown (Roome, 85), Demidh, Williams. Subs: Mottershead, Nutt, Frost, Yeomans.

Hereford: Rivers, Kontic-Coveney, Purdie, Bonella (capt), Willets, Oates, Tumelty, Birch, Mills, Haysham (Miller, 78), Wheatley (Summers, 69). Subs: Grant, Miller, Moreira, Summers, Richmond.

Referee: Mr S. Lane (Birmingham)

Attendance: 262

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