Loughborough University 0 - Hereford 5

Hereford travelled to Loughborough University this afternoon for their first game against the Scholars this season. Hereford manager Pete Beadle had a full squad to pick from this afternoon as Ryan Green returned from suspension and the Hartpury students were free for selection.

Jimmy Oates and Ryan Green returned to the back four as James Bowen and Jamie Willets dropped to the bench. Mustapha Bundu and Ross Staley were on the wings as Rob Purdie and Aaron Birch played in the heart of midfield. Supporters also welcomed the return of the striking partnership of John Mills and Pablo Haysham.

Hereford got proceedings underway in this afternoon's game, forcing a corner within the opening 2 minutes. Ryan Green did well to get on the end of Rob Purdie's corner, but his header at the far post was just wide of the mark.

Hereford continually pressured Loughborough's defence, with the Scholars lining up in a very defensive formation. In the 13th minute, Mustapha Bundu cut into the centre before trying his luck from 18-yards, but his strike was deflected behind for a corner. With Purdie delivering the ball to head of Ryan Green, he headed the ball back across goal to Pablo Haysham, who had little trouble in nodding the ball home for his 17th goal of the season.

Pablo Haysham

Scores

And Celebrates

As the majority of possession remained firmly with Hereford, in the 27th minute Haysham did well to break into the box, but John Mills couldn't quite connect with his cross in front of goal. Moments later, Ross Staley broke away down the right flank before crossing into the box. But Mills once again failed to get on the end of the cross as the ball was eventually cleared by Loughborough.

Defensively, Hereford had very little to do in the first half other than a solitary corner, but this was dealt with efficiently by the visitors. Then, 3 minutes from half time, a defensive error left Mills with a perfect opportunity to double the scoreline, but his powerful snapshot was superbly turned around the post by Conor O'Keefe. Pablo Haysham then went close before the break, but the well-positioned keeper easily caught Haysham's effort.

HT: Loughborough University 0 - Hereford 1

7 minutes after the restart, Hereford should’ve capitalised on two efforts to increase their lead. Pablo Haysham once again burst through the centre unchallenged and unleashed a shot from outside the area, but O'Keefe did well to tip the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner, Hereford had a shot go agonisingly wide as Ryan Green’s low drive flashed across the face of goal.

On the stroke of the 59th minute, following a rare Scholars corner, Rob Purdie found Ross Staley further upfield, and after some good buildup play, Hereford worked the ball out to Mustapha Bundu on the left wing. Having time to pick his spot, Bundu’s right-footed effort curled beautifully into the top corner past the helpless keeper.

Mustapha Bundu Scored Hereford's Second

And Celebrates

A double substitution followed for Hereford, as goalscorers Mills and Bundu made way for Mike Symons and James Bowen respectively. Symons made an instant impact on the game, having a goal disallowed within moments of coming on. A diagonal ball was played into the box by Pablo Haysham, as Symons’ flicked header nestled in the bottom corner, but the linesman adjudged him to be offside. 

Symons then had a hand in Hereford’s third goal, when his cross was only parried to the feet of Staley, who had the easy task of tapping the ball home into the back of an unguarded net.

Ross Staley With Hereford's Third

The onslaught continued from the Bulls as goal number four came five minutes later. Pablo Haysham played a through ball to Mike Symons, who when left with just the keeper to beat, effortlessly poked the ball past O’Keefe with his right foot.

Substitute Mike Symons With The Fourth

The Bulls third goal in ten minutes came thanks to Aaron Birch. Pablo Haysham coolly back-heeled the ball into the path of the onrushing James Bowen who whipped in a cross from the left. As Loughborough’s Andrew Bridge tried to clear the ball, he could only do so as far as Aaron Birch who slotted the ball past the keeper from 8-yards. 

The hosts came close to scoring a consolation goal in the 81st minute with their best chance of the game. Max Herbert left Martin Horsell well and truly beaten with his long range strike, but the shot rattled out off the crossbar.

Despite their five goal lead, Hereford continued to look to add to their goal tally, but couldn't carve out any more clear-cut chances.

FT: Loughborough University 0 - Hereford 5

Att: 550

BN MotM Twitter vote (Link)

Loughborough University: O'Keefe, Carpenter, Langford, Williams, Bridge, Poxon, Rankin, Kee, Herbert, Ward-Cochrane, Webb.

Subs: Dasaolu, Wright, Cookes, Gordon, Winchester.

Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Green (Willets - 74'), Summers, Edwards, Staley, Birch, Purdie, Bundu (Bowen - 64'), Haysham, Mills (Symons - 64').

Subs not used: Grant, Bonella.

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