Hereford FC made it sixteen wins in a row with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Rocester at Edgar Street. The two sides had only met one week previous in the FA Vase, where Hereford had won 2-0. An early goal from John Mills set the ballrolling on the day, before second-half strikes by Pablo Haysham, Adam Page and Joe Tumelty added gloss to a good home performance.
After a morning of heavy rain, the skies brightened before kick-off. Manager Peter Beadle made several changes to the squad; Ryan Green and Page were both available again and there was a home debut for Tumelty. Dylan Bonella was captain and Rob Purdie was preferred to Joel Edwards at left-back.
As in most games this season Hereford attacked towards the Blackfriars End in the first half. It wasn't long before Mills had a chance to open the scoring when one on one with the keeper.
On twelve minutes Mills found the back of the net after Tumelty created the opportunity.
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| Joe Tumelty |
Mills received the ball on the edge of the box and went past the 'keeper, before rolling the ball in the empty net from ten yards.
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| Mills Goes Past Keeper Froggatt and Scores |
Hereford continued to probe with Page not quite able to get on the end of one particular through ball and Mills tried his luck with a shot that went wide. Haysham then shot into the goalkeeper's arms after being set up by Mills, and an Aaron Birch header was easily held.
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| This Effort Went Wide |
At the other end, Jamie Willets had to have treatment after he came off worse in a clash of heads. Pablo Haysham saw a set-piece easily saved by Froggatt whilst at the other end Harvey Rivers was called into action on a number of occasions towards the end of the half but Hereford went into half-time with a slender advantage.
The second half was a delight to watch not only for the three Hereford goals but the link up play as well.
Aaron Birch had an effort well saved by Froggatt before minutes later Joe Tumelty looked to be clearly felled in the box but the referee wasn't interested and waved play on.
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| Tom Land, Who Received Some Stick From The Meadow End, Cuts Out A Cross From Page |
Hereford's second goal came eight minutes after the restart. Mills found room on the right, and cut the ball across to Haysham who took one touch to compose himself before toe-poking into the corner.
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| Players Celebrate Haysham's Goal |
Soon afterwards Page was brought down, however the free kick taken by Mills went inches wide of the mark. Hereford continued to press forward and Page scored Hereford's third after he and Mills had worked around several defenders; the ball eventually broke to Page and he struck sweetly with his left-foot to net, despite the best efforts of the away 'keeper to deny him.
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| Adam Page Watched By John Mills Scores Hereford's Third Of The Afternoon |
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| Adam Page Gives John Mills A Pat On His Head |
Both Tumelty and Mills had chances to add a fourth but were off target, whilst Haysham had a good effort turned away for a corner by the 'keeper. Mills then saw a powerful effort turned away after debutant and second-half sub Mike Symons had caused problems in the box.
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| Froggatt Was Kept Busy In The Second Half |
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| Debutant Mike Symons |
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| Jamie Willets Rises Above a Rocester Defender |
Tumelty, who impressed throughout the game, tried a shot from twenty yards but was off target but his goal came minutes later. Purdie collected the ball on the right hand side of the area and his clever backheel placed the ball in the path of Tumelty, who clinically curled a left foot shot into the corner.
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| Joe Tumelty Scores Hereford's Fourth Goal |
This was another good performance from Hereford FC, the second half playing towards the Meadow End particularly exciting. Both Purdie and Tumelty impressed whilst the introduction of Symons added another dimension to the play, one which is likely to be used on away games when the playing conditions worsen over the winter period. After a Tuesday off this week, it's back to business as Stourport Swifts visit Edgar Street. Fans will be looking for a seventeenth win in a row against a team that inflicted Hereford's first defeat of the season back in August.
Hereford: Rivers, Oates, Purdie, Bonella (C), Willets, Green, Tumelty, Birch, Mills, Haysham, Page.
Subs: Summers, Symons, Robbins, Kontic-Coveney, Edwards.
MOTM: Rob Purdie and Joe Tumelty.
Attendance: 2481