For the highly anticipated FA Cup first round tie at home to Telford, Hereford made three changes to the side that played against Dunstable midweek. Dan Preston, Lance Smith and Pablo Haysham all dropped to the bench, as Ryan Green, John Mills and Calvin Dinsley returned to the starting XI.
After a minute’s silence ahead of kick off to remember our service men and women who have died in conflict around the world, Hereford lost the toss and found themselves attacking the Meadow End in the first half.
National League North outfit Telford United looked the brighter of the two sides throughout the first half, showing their intentions early on. With seven minutes on the clock, new signing Bob Harris picked out Jordan Murphy with a neat cross, but the 21-year old saw his shot foiled by Martin Horsell.
Horsell was also on hand five minutes later as he rushed off his line to clear the ball from the feet of Marcus Dinanga, who was looking to open the scoring. Hereford’s stopper continued to command his box well, rising to firmly catch a Henry Cowan’s corner moments later.
Bulls boss Peter Beadle was then forced into making an early change as Calvin Dinsley pulled up with his hamstring, in what was only his first game back after picking up a knock in the previous round at Eastleigh. He was replaced by Pablo Haysham, who received a warm welcome from the vocal home fans.
Ryan Green proved as solid as always at the back, heading clear off the line after Dinanga did well to lift the ball over Horsell.
With 24 minutes on the clock, Keyon Reffell went close, but couldn’t find the target. An attacking throw was half-cleared by the Bucks, but as Hereford looked to work the ball back into the box, Dara O’Shea teed up Reffell 18-yards out. But the ex-Merthyr man couldn’t strike the ball cleanly, as it looped up and narrowly beat the crossbar.
Dinanga, who came through the youth ranks at Walsall, continued to cause trouble for Hereford’s back four. He did well to cut in behind the Bulls’ defence, firing the ball into the side netting after a dangerous run.
The Whites started to grow into the game just as the first half was coming to a close, as they registered their first shots on target. Firstly, Mike Symons’ tame header was an easy save for visiting keeper Jasbir Singh, before he pulled off a great save to deny Garyn Preen moments later.
John Mills was showing Telford his trademark ‘chop’ as he looked to open up their defence. Mills then played the ball short to Preen, who made no mistake in firing an effort towards goal, only to see it punched clear by the keeper.
HT: Hereford 0 – Telford United 0
Hereford continued their improved performance after the break, with a handful of half-chances during the opening stages. The first real talking point was after 60 minutes when Telford were reduced to ten men.
Jon Royle’s two-footed challenge on Pablo Haysham left him in need of treatment, with the referee showing little hesitation as he dished out a straight red.
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With the home crowd really starting to get behind their team, they had even more to cheer about when Hereford took the lead in the 68th minute.
After some good build-up play, Dara O’Shea crossed the ball into the box, with John Mills playing the ball back to Pablo Haysham just outside the area. Haysham took the keeper by surprise as he fired a right-footed shot towards the top corner, with Singh only able to parry the effort. Marksman Mills reacted quickly to bury the rebound, sending the home side into raptures.
During the final twenty minutes, neither side could really create anything meaningful, with Mike Symons’ headed effort in the 82nd minute the closest Hereford came to doubling their lead.
Dara O’Shea’s aerial cross was met by Symons, but he couldn’t get enough power on his header as the keeper made an easy save.
There’s little doubt that after the sending off the Bucks found it harder going forward and weren’t able to create any goal-worthy chances. Hereford’s defence remained resolute, dealing quickly and calmly with whatever came their way.
FT: Hereford 1 – Telford United 0
Att: a record breaking 4,712, with 669 in the away enclosure
Sponsors’ MotM: Dara O’Shea
Hereford: Horsell, Oates (c), O'Shea, Purdie, Green, Deaman, Preen (Page – 78’), Dinsley (Haysham – 16’), Mills (Smith – 84’), Reffell, Symons.
Subs not used: Preston, Bird, Franklin, A. Harris.
Telford: Singh, Simpson (Barnes-Homer – 83’), Sutton, Johnson, Harris, Royle, Cowans, Murphy, Dwyer (Lussey – 62’), Newby, Dinanga.
Subs not used: Hayden, Martinez, McGrory, Marsh, Taylor.
Next Game: HFA County Cup – Tenbury United at Home on Tuesday 7th November at 7.45pm