Following the late victory over Dunkirk, ahead of tonight’s game against Walsall Wood at Edgar Street, manager Pete Beadle made 5 changes from Saturday’s side. Jamie Laird, James Bowen, and John Mills dropped to the bench, with Jamie Willets and Anthony Robbins left out of the matchday sixteen. The 5 made way for Jimmy Oates, Nathan Summers, Mustapha Bundu, Aaron Birch and Sirdic Grant.
With the visitors kicking off attacking the Meadow End in the first half, the game was slow to get going with neither side able to create any clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges.
Just shy of the 10-minute mark, Ryan Green was denied the opener after his powerful shot from the edge of the area took a deflection off Walsall’s centre-back Lee Hildreth. Moments later Mustapha Bundu, supported by Craig Bellamy from the stands, blazed a shot well over the bar from 18-yards.
Danny Griffiths came close to getting his name on the score sheet in the 18th minute for Walsall Wood, his long-range effort narrowly cleared Martin Horsell’s crossbar.
60 seconds later, as Mike Symons tried to break into the box he was fouled by Ben Birch, who earned himself a yellow card for his troubles.
Bundu stepped up to take the resulting free kick, but his curling right footed effort took a deflection both off the upright and the keeper before narrowly clearing the crossbar.
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| Mike Symons Is Brought Down By Ben Birch |
Rob Purdie delivered the corner deep into the area, but Walsall did well to clear the immediate danger. With Joel Edwards picking up the loose ball near the half way line, he played a cross-field ball to Nathan Summers, who nodded the ball down to the feet of Mike Symons. After a smart turn by Symons, his shot hit the inside of the post before nestling in the bottom right hand corner of the net.
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| Mike Symons Shoots |
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| And Celebrates |
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| Walsall Equalise |
HT: Hereford 1 - Walsall Wood 1
As the referee got the second half underway, Sirdic Grant was quick to win the first of a string of corners for Hereford, but the Bulls couldn’t capitalise. Firstly, Pablo Haysham had his headed effort from close range tipped over the bar, before Aaron Birch's low drive went wide after taking a deflection off Grant Beckett.
Jimmy Oates also tried his luck from the edge of the area, drilling a shot agonisingly wide followed by captain Joel Edwards' high shot sailing into the Meadow End.
There were also chances for wingers Sirdic Grant and Mustapha Bundu, Rob Purdie took a corner short to Grant, who’s effort from the edge of the area was cleared off the line by Richard Ricketts. Seconds later Bundu beat the keeper to the ball, but headed harmlessly over.
The Bulls' persistence finally paid off in the 62nd minute, as Pablo Haysham put the home side back in front. Sirdic Grant showed some excellent footwork on the right wing as he worked the ball into the box, finding Rob Purdie in space. Purdie teed up Haysham, who calmly placed the ball past Hughes in front of a jubilant Meadow End.
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| Pablo Haysham Receives A Pass From Rob Purdie |
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| Mustapha Bundu Celebrates With Pablo Haysham |
Andy Hughes prevented Hereford from extending their lead in the 89th minute, doing well to push Oates’ rasping effort around the post.
FT: Hereford 2 – Walsall Wood 1
Att: 2,523
Sponsors’ MotM: Sirdic Grant
Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Edwards (c), Purdie, Green, Summers, Bundu (Bonella – 86), Birch, Grant (Tumelty – 90+2), Haysham, Symons.
Subs not used: Laird, Bowen, Mills.
Walsall Wood: Hughes, Ricketts, Beckett, Birch, Hildreth, L Harris, Griffiths, H Harris (c), Joey Butlin, Taylor Boyce, Currithers
Subs: Wright, Juxon, Black, Evans, Jackson