Text at top (next game etc)

Next Game: Scarborough In The League At Edgar Street On Tuesday 19th November At 7.45pm

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Ten-Man Under-18s Had Their "Backs To The Wall" In Alvechurch Draw


Hereford settled for a draw in this evening's under-18s game at home to Alvechurch, having a man sent off in the last 15 minutes before conceding moments later.

The young Bulls had come back from a goal down in the first half to be level with the visitors going into half time as Adam Hockey, who's with the under-18s as he recovers from injury, netted the equaliser.

James Goodfellow then fired his side in front after an initial scuffed shot wasn't dealt with by the defence and Goodfellow didn't make the same mistake twice.

But Hereford were reduced to ten men, after a player was dismissed for the first time this season, according to coach Dan Chance. He felt the sending off might have been a bit harsh.

Dan Chance said: "It's the last man, he's got caught sideways, it's nothing malicious in it. 

"I feel like it's a little bit of a harsh one perhaps, but I suppose by the letter of the law if you're the last man and he's judging you've pulled him back or tapped his ankles then he's going to send you off.

"We don't see many red cards in our games, that's the first red card we've had this season. It's a little bit disappointing and that's where the game turned in the second half.

"We were looking comfortable, we were on top and then that happens. We're then backs to the wall for the last ten minutes with ten men."

Chance felt the first half was pretty poor overall as both sides struggled to make an impact.

"Really scrappy, I thought for the first half we weren't great against a side I didn't think were playing particularly great either," Chance added.

"A pretty poor watch the first half, but the last 15 minutes we got better. We're were 1-0 down at that point but got rewarded with a goal to come back into it 1-1.

"Second half I thought we were the better team for the majority of it, created some good chances and the keeper has pulled off some decent saves, the keeper probably kept them in the game at that point.

"At 2-1 up we're hoping we're going to go on and win the game but that obviously wasn't to be tonight. It was a scrappy goal that we failed to deal with, a little bit disappointed with body positions on that one. The lad's run in, tapped it in, he's done his job.

"I just felt we could have been more ruthless and cleared it a little bit earlier, but with ten men we were going to be backs to the walls."

Adam Hockey signed a contract with Hereford earlier this season and has since been on loan at Lads Club. He's been out for a number of weeks with an injury and played for the under-18s tonight as he continues his rehab.

Chance added: "Adam's come down to get some minutes as he recovers from his injury, he played 35 minutes for us tonight. Great first touch from him to cut inside the full-back, he's run at goal and bottom corner from about 30 yards out.

"I'm sure he'll be happy with that as a first run out after a bit of a lengthy time off.

"I think he's had a problem with his knee so he's being eased back in to it a little bit, so he's come here to help that process."