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| John Mills About To Take A Penalty |
Hereford’s starting XI was unchanged following Wednesday’s win at Frome, but Pablo Haysham returned to the bench along with Dan Preston as Peter Beadle utilised the seven substitutes permitted for FA Cup games.
Onto the game, and it was the visitors who enjoyed much of the possession during the opening exchanges. A handful of early corners were dealt with quickly by Hereford, as they looked organised at the back.
In the 17th minute, Hornchurch came close to opening the scoring. Kenzer Lee’s headed effort looked destined for the bottom right-hand corner of the net, but Horsell did well to make a strong save to deny Lee his third goal of the season.
Just a minute later, Keyon Reffell should’ve done more to test the keeper after some great build-up play from John Mills. As Mills cut into the box from the left with a number of ‘chops’, his cross into the centre was met with a poor downward header from the ex-Merthyr man as the ball went harmlessly wide.
With 28 minutes on the clock, Lance Smith was unlucky to see his effort blocked. Under pressure, Smith superbly controlled a cross from James Bowen, but his shot was blocked by Nathan Cooper’s outstretched leg.
Martin Horsell was kept busier than in Wednesday night’s game, when moments later he parried Theo Fairweather-Johnson’s powerful effort. But with rebound falling back at the 28-year old’s feet, he screwed the effort well-wide.
HT: Hereford 0 – AFC Hornchurch 0
With the Bulls attacking the Meadow End in the second half, they had a couple of half-chances within the opening five minutes. A great run into the box from Jimmy Oates saw play the ball into Lance Smith, but Hornchurch’s defence proved their worth and cleared the danger.
John Mills then smashed an effort against the post from point-blank range, before Mike McGrath blazed a follow-up shot well over.
Two goals in four minutes then propelled Hereford into the lead, thanks to Keyon Reffell and John Mills.
For the first, Garyn Preen picked out John Mills at the far post with his inswinging corner, before playing the ball back across the face of goal. Keyon Reffell was on hand in a congested area to force it over the line.
In the 65th minute, Lance Smith created something out of nothing on the left flank, and was able to cross the ball into John Mills.
But as John Mills fired towards goal, it was handled by Kenzer Lee as he blocked the shot. John Mills wasted no time in stepping up, and despite the keeper getting a hand onto Mills’ spot kick, it wasn’t enough to prevent him from scoring his 114th goal in 114 games.
Another chance for Smith followed, but once again he couldn’t beat the keeper. After turning two men on the wing, he raced into the box, but his strike was smothered by Sam Mott.
Despite continued pressure from the Bulls in the final ten minutes, they couldn’t find a way to extend their two-goal lead.
FT: Hereford 2 – AFC Hornchurch 0
Att: 2,440 with 54 in the away enclosure
Sponsors’ Scott and Sons MotM: Garyn Preen
Hereford: Horsell, Oates (c), Bowen, Dinsley, Green, O'Shea, Preen (Page – 80’), McGrath, Mills (Haysham – 90’), Reffell, Smith (Symons – 83’).
Subs not used: Purdie, Deaman, Preston, Harris.
AFC Hornchurch: Mott, Hursit, Porter, Lee, Cooper, Roberts (Fanimo – 65’), Styles, Chouman, McKenzie, Fairweather-Johnson (Wall – 76’), Warner.
Subs not used: Lambert, Kamara, Hussain.
Next Game: Dorchester Town at Home on Saturday 7th October at 3pm