Under 18s Lift The Giantkillers Cup

The final of the Giantkillers Cup was held at Edgar Street earlier this evening, with Hereford’s under 18 side defeating their Pegasus Juniors counterparts 3-1 in front of a healthy crowd of around 150-200 supporters.

Pegasus kicked off attacking a deserted Meadow End in the first half, but it was Hereford who dominated the opening stages. Chris May's curling strike from 18-yards put visiting keeper Jason Davies under pressure, but his shot narrowly cleared the crossbar. An early corner came moments later for the young Bulls, however Rory Huntbach couldn’t get on the end of Sam Oxley’s delivery, as the ball harmless went behind for a goalkick. 

After Hereford’s Tom Gameson was fouled 25-yards out, the free kick was taken short to Young, whose cross was deflected behind for a corner. Huntbach’s delivery was headed down by Gameson, and with Sam Oxley’s initial shot being blocked with what looked suspiciously like a handball, he managed to bundle the ball across the line at the second time of asking.

Hand Ball?

Before Sam Oxley Scores

Aurelius was the quieter of the two keepers in the first half, called into action for the first time in the 22nd minute. Ru Wood's rasping effort from the edge of the box proved unstoppable for Aurelius as the ball nestled in the top right hand corner of the net to level the scoreline. 

5 minutes later, Hereford left back Chris May played a neat cross into the box, with Huntbach’s resulting shot unfortunately blocked. Lewis Fletcher did well to get on the end of the return ball, but his powerful strike sailed harmlessly wide.

The Whites managed to regain the lead in the 34th minute, thanks to the impressive Rory Huntbach. Sam Oxley was quick to breakaway down the left before cutting the ball back to substitute Carlos Moreira. Moreira, who has made a number of first team appearances this season, did well to break into the box, showing some impressive footwork. Moreira tried his luck from 12-yards, but his effort took a deflection and looked to be going wide before Rory Huntbach lifted the ball over the keeper with a headed effort at the far post. 

Rory Huntbach Heads The Ball

Past The Keeper

HT: Hereford U18s 2 – Pegasus Juniors U18s 1

There were few chances in the second half with both teams defending strongly. In the 65th minute, Lewis Fletcher did well to chase down a long ball from skipper Jay Richmond, but his shot hit the keeper before being cleared off the goal line just ahead of the pacey Matt MacDonald.

Pegasus came close to grabbing an equaliser for the second time after Hereford conceded a free kick on the left wing. Russ Woolley’s powerful header just cleared the crossbar, after he connected well with Kyle Panniers’ delivery.

In the 72nd minute the Bulls put the Giantkillers Cup out of reach of near neighbours Pegasus as Carlos Moreira made it 3 with a well-worked goal.  Moreira took the corner short to Clarke, and after they played a neat one-two, he burst into the box, firing low into the bottom left hand corner of the net past the diving keeper.

Carlos Moreira Goes For Goal

And Scores Hereford's Third

Pegasus could’ve pulled a goal back from their free kick 20 yards out in the dying stages of the game. The initial free kick was fired hard against the 4 man wall before going out for throw, but a dangerous long delivery into the box was flicked on into the path of the sliding Aaron Finch, who was unlucky not to connect with the ball at the far post.

FT: Hereford U18s 3 – Pegasus Juniors U18s 1

Hereford: Aurelius, L. Clarke, May, Huntbach, Purrington, Richmond (c), Young, Fletcher, Gameson, MacDonald, Oxley.

Subs: D. Pugh, Harris, Moreira, Lancett, E. Clarke.

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