Quorn 0 - Hereford 2

Substitute Pablo Haysham Appeared To Lift The Bulls When He Came On

As Hereford travelled to Quorn this afternoon to play their 5th game on the road in 16 days, only one change was made to the starting XI that put 5 past Continental Star on Wednesday. Anthony Robbins dropped to the bench as Jimmy Oates moved in at right back; Rob Purdie returned to heart of midfield, partnering Aaron Birch.

With Quorn attacking the vocal terrace in the first half, populated largely by Hereford fans, they were quick to put Martin Horsell under pressure. Liam Turner intercepted a scuffed clearance from Horsell, but after setting up Courtney Meade, Hereford's stopper had little trouble in smothering the effort from the edge of the box.

In the 5th minute, Rob Purdie's early corner was met by the head of the rising Jamie Willets, but Quorn keeper Ryan Thacker punched his effort clear. Chances for Mustapha Bundu and Purdie followed, but neither could test the keeper as their shots both sailed wide of the mark.

A foul on Mike Symons led to a free kick for the Bulls 25-yards out, with Purdie’s shallow delivery sailing straight through to keeper. Moments later, Quorn had a free kick in a similar position at the opposite end of the field after a foul by Jamie Willets. Joe Hopewell stepped up and had an effort on goal, but his strike whistled past the post.

Mike Symons

As the half hour mark passed, Mustapha Bundu created a worthy opportunity to put the Whites ahead. After doing well to control a long ball forward from Jimmy Oates, he rounded centre-back Simon Alcott before taking a shot from within the area, but the keeper made a good save with his feet to keep the scores level.

John Mills could've grabbed his 49th goal of the season 6 minutes before the break, thanks to some great build up play from Bundu. After skillfully drifting into the box from the right, he cut the ball back to Mills, but after his right-footed effort took a deflection, Thacker once again kept the ball out with his feet.

Then on the stroke of half time Mills found the back of the net, but a dubious offside decision ruled the goal out. Aaron Birch headed a long range effort down to the feet of Mills, with his low drive nestling in the bottom right hand corner of the net, despite appearing onside when the ball was played.

HT: Quorn 0 - Hereford 0

2 minutes after the restart, James Bowen was fouled as he made progress down the left flank. With a free kick awarded to Hereford, Rob Purdie’s delivery was easily claimed by the keeper.

With 55 minutes on the clock, James Bowen played in a cross from the left, but Aaron Birch's subsequent headed effort was straight into the hands of the well-positioned keeper.

Then, with still over half an hour left to play, Quorn were reduced to 10 men. Callum Thompson was shown a straight red card by referee Bradley Hall for his rash challenge on skipper Purdie.

9 minutes later, with their one-man advantage, Mike Symons grabbed Hereford's first. With some good build up play between Mustapha Bundu and Aaron Birch, Connor Hughes seemingly handled the ball within the area as Bundu tried to find Mike Symons. Captain Jimmy Brookes then totally mistimed his clearance, allowing the ball to run through to the unmarked Symons, who was able to beat his man before firing home from 12-yards.

Mike Symons

Shoots

And Scores

The game turned quite scrappy, with a handful of fruitless free kicks for either side. Ryan Green was penalised for a bad tackle, before being on the receiving end of a very late challenge moments later. Jacob Lever caught the defender late, and was lucky to remain on the pitch after the referee deemed the challenge worthy of only a yellow card.

With 3 minutes left of normal time, substitute Pablo Haysham doubled Hereford’s lead, taking advantage of a poor clearance. As Jimmy Brooks put Oates’ cross high in the air, it fell to Sirdic Grant within the 18-yard box. As Grant managed to get the ball towards Haysham, his powerful right-footed effort beat the outstretched arm of the keeper to wrap up the game, cementing Hereford’s place at the top of the league.

Pablo Haysham Watches

And Then Celebrates His Goal

FT: Quorn 0 – Hereford 2

Att: 612

Quorn: Thacker, Oldham, Hopewell, Alcott, Brooks(c), Hughes, Thompson, Oshungbure, Meade (Bennett – 90+1), Turner (Bryans – 90+1), Lever (Kenny – 90+1).

Subs not used: Hoult.

Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Bowen, Purdie, Green, Willets, Grant, Birch, Mills (Haysham – 63’), Bundu (Tumelty – 73’), Symons.

Subs not used: Pilling, Robbins, Staley.

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