Dunkirk 2-3 Hereford: The late, late show

Mike Symons Scored the Winning Goal

How important could Mike Symons' injury time goal be to Hereford's season? The striker popped up at the near post to snatch a vital 3-2 victory against relegation-threatened Dunkirk, which keeps the pressure on leaders Alvechurch at the top of the Midland League. 

It was a win which Hereford pushed for, but several players looked below par and a relieved Pete Beadle admitted afterwards that he felt frustrated by some individual performances. 

Hereford made two changes after Thursday's win at Long Eaton, with Mustapha Bundu missing out completely and Aaron Birch dropping to the bench. James Bowen and Anthony Robbins came into the midfield for the Bulls. 

It was a bright start in the April sun in south Nottingham. John Mills made a mark early on with a shot from an acute angle which flashed wide of the far post for Hereford, who were the more confident side for the opening fifteen minutes. But the Bulls struggled to control the midfield which gave Dunkirk the opportunity to create chances of their own. Bruno Holden and Chris Spencer both had shots on goal, while the referee waived away a penalty appeal at the other end when Purdie went down in the area. 

It was a looping shot which gave Dunkirk the lead after 31 minutes, as Holden found the net from the edge of the box. Martin Horsell, outstretched, couldn't reach it. 

Holden's Shot Beat Horsell

But Pablo Haysham soon fought back to find Hereford's equaliser. A clever goal from 20 yards out, he beat a defender before rifling a right footed effort past Ben Gathercole. 

Pablo Haysham's Shot Travels Towards Goal

The Bulls could've been ahead at the break. Mike Symons shot wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper while the referee ruled John Mills' effort hadn't crossed the line. 

Hereford always looked under pressure as the second half progressed but they took the lead on 58 minutes. After an initial effort rebounded off the woodwork, Mills was well placed to follow up and the ball deflected in off a defender to put the away side 2-1 up. 

John Mills Heads The Ball Past The Keeper

Not that it lasted long. Dunkirk went straight up the other end to equalise. Ashley Whitt got the final touch, sending the ball past Horsell and pegging Hereford back. 

Beadle made two changes to inject new life into his side. Off came Bowen and Robbins, with Ross Staley and Birch eager to make an impression. They certainly added a different attacking threat, but the problems remained defensively for Hereford. Dunkirk pushed forward and Andy Hutchinson fired home. Then, confusion reigned as the goal was ruled out, seemingly for offside but it took the best part of a minute for the referee and his assistant to confirm their decision and get the game back underway. 

Try as they might, Hereford couldn't find a way through. Mills drilled wide after good build-up work, Symons appealed for a penalty but his claims of handball were waved away, while at the other end Horsell saves well from a Glyn Cotton free kick. 

Frustration played a role too. A late challenge by substitute Adrian Lang on Bulls defender Ryan Green led to the two squaring up, and yellow cards for both - Lang for the foul and Green for retaliation. 

And so it was left to the final attack of the match for Hereford to find a winner. Five minutes into added time, Haysham's free kick was blocked for a corner. The first effort was turned behind. A second, taken by Purdie, found Green who brought it down for Symons to turn home and Bulls fans exploded with a combination of joy and relief. 

Mike Symons With The Winning Goal For Hereford

Dunkirk: Gathercole, Wilcox, Dyson, Moore, Lucas (Miller, 50), Spencer, Smith, Cotton (c), Holden, Hutchinson (Lang, 72), Whitt. Unused subs: Samba, Maveso, Garrett. 

Hereford: Horsell, Green, Edwards (c), Purdie, Willets, Laird, Bowen (Birch, 62), Robbins (Staley, 62), Mills, Haysham, Symons. Unused subs: Summers, Pilling, Tumelty. 

Referee: Ian Croston

Report courtesy of Terry Goodwin.

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