Report: Hereford 1 - Altrincham 1

James Roberts Celebrates His First League Goal For Hereford

Hereford lost out on two valuable points this afternoon as they conceded late at home to Altrincham, meaning it's now 11 games since a win in the league. Alty's Joshua Hancock cancelled out James Roberts' opening goal to earn his side a share of the spoils.

For the first league game at home in over a month which has seen the arrival of seven new faces brought into the side, there was only one change to the side that picked up a point at Telford on Tuesday. Mike McGrath was left out of the side because of illness and so Billy Murphy started in midfield.

Billy Murphy Was Back In The Starting Eleven

Within the first couple of minutes, Hereford were able break into the box but Tommy O'Sullivan left it too long to play in George Lloyd, who was in acres of space, and eventually he was closed down and dispossessed.

A couple of chances followed for Altrincham in front of the Meadow End. With Billy Murphy guilty of losing the ball on the edge of his own box, Max Harrop got a shot away but it was never going to threaten keeper Matt Yates as it sailed well wide.

In the seventh minute an ambitious shot from Alty's top scorer Jordan Hulme from just past the halfway line went over the crossbar with Yates backpedaling.

Like at Telford on Tuesday, Hereford made use of Keiran Thomas and Danny Greenslade as attacking wing backs, dropping back to form a five-man defence when under pressure. The latter did manage to create a few half-chances going forward, the first saw him play the ball through to James Roberts who took the ball too far and couldn't get a shot away. 

Danny Greenslade And James Roberts

Moments later the pair tried the same routine, but this time Roberts was caught offside.

George Lloyd Is Brought Down By James Jones But The Free-Kick Sailed Wide Of Goal

At then other end of the pitch Max Harrop had another attempt from distance as he tried to open the scoring, but this time the shot was too wide to trouble the keeper, before the visitors had a big penalty shot with an alleged handball in the Hereford box. Harrop's corner looked to have been handled, but referee Elliot Swallow disagreed.

Other than a booking for either side before the break, neither side were able to capitalise on their fair share of chances throughout the half. Tommy O'Sullivan went into the referee's notebook for a strong challenge in the 42nd minute, followed quickly by Alty captain Jake Moult for clattering into Matt Yates in the penalty area.

HT: Hereford 0 - Altrincham 0

The second half started in the same manner as the first, relatively quiet with nothing happening to shout about.

This all changed seven minutes in with a free kick to the Bulls level with the penalty area on on the right hand side was taken short by O'Sullivan to Danny Greenslade. The left-back unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the area, with keeper Anthony Thompson able to push the shot wide. 

It was from this corner in the 53rd minute when the Whites took the lead. Tommy O'Sullivan stayed on set-piece duty as he swung in the cross from the left and James Roberts was there to scramble the ball home at the back-post.

With Hereford on course to win their first league game since mid-August, James Roberts went close to grabbing a second three minutes later, but his shot from range was saved by Thompson low down to his right.

Another chance for James Roberts was to come, but his shot from outside the box was saved down low by keeper Thompson.

As the game entered the last ten minutes, it looked like a case of a final push by Altrincham as they looked to rescue a point. Eight minutes from time a goalmouth scramble saw Max Harrop's shot blocked before Owen Dale drilled a shot wide of the post to let Hereford off the hook.

It just wasn't to be for the Bulls thought who will have to wait at least another week for a win. In the 89th minute a sucker-punch of a goal from Joshua Hancock left the Bulls disappointed with a point when three were within touching distance. After the Whites gave away a free kick on the left, John Johnston stepped up to deliver the ball into the box, which was brought down for Hancock to fire home.

In injury time Cullinane-Liburd headed the ball towards the top of the net but Thompson was equal to it.

FT: Hereford 1 - Altrincham 1
Att: 2,220 (93 away)
Sponsors Man of the Match - James Roberts

Hereford: Yates, Thomas, Greenslade 🔶, Cullinane-Liburd, Wassall, Smith (c), Murphy, O'Sullivan 🔶, Roberts ⚽️ (White - 87'), Lloyd, Owen-Evans (Finn - 64').

Subs not used: Green, Jackson, Horsell.

Altrincham: Thompson, White, Hampson, Jones, Hannigan, Moult (c) 🔶, Johnston, Harrop (Richman - 73'), Hulme, Hancock, Dale (Gabbidon - 82').

Subs not used: Scott, Densmore, Wynne.