Bulls News: On This Day - Bulls Win Midland League

On this very day four years ago Hereford FC won its first title - Midland Football League Champions.

A 4-0 victory at Coventry Sphinx on a Monday evening April 25th 2016 sealed matters.

A look back firstly with a match report then interviews and finally a selection of pictures.

Champions at Coventry!

Hereford FC sealed promotion and the Midland Football League with a comprehensive 4-0 away victory at Coventry Sphinx, on a cold April evening. Pablo Haysham nodded in the opener, before second half goals from Joe Tumelty, Mike Symons and Srdic Grant clinched the title in front of packed Sphinx ground.

Peter Beadle named an unchanged starting line-up, following the weekend's emphatic 8-0 victory over Heanor.

The hosts had the best early opportunity as the ball squirmed away from Grant's control, and the hosts striker lifted a shot past Martin Horsell but off-target. At the other end, Hereford threatened down both wings, with Tumelty and Grant lively, as well as the supporting full-backs of Jimmy Oates and James Bowen. A left-foot cross from Oates was glanced wide off the goal, whilst Grant struck a weak left-foot shot from 12 yards into the home keeper's arms. The opening goal of the first-half was scored in the 22nd minute; Grant kept the ball in play on the right side, and played it back to Oates. The Australian's hanging cross was met by the unmarked Haysham, who made no mistake from five yards.

Pablo Haysham Opens The Scoring

Hereford were comfortable for the remainder of the first-half and went in a goal ahead at the break. As is usually the case, the visitors started the second period quickly, Haysham finding Grant on the right and a powerful attempt was pushed onto the post by the goalie. Moments later, Symons capitalised on a weak clearance but he was denied by the legs of the 'keeper as he tried to place his shot into the far corner.

The second goal of the evening came after a long-throw from Oates was battled for by Symons, and the ball broke loose to Tumelty, striking on the full-volley and guiding it into the back of the net from inside the area.

Joe Tumelty

Further chances followed, with Haysham having an effort pushed away following a burst past the two centre halves and Symons' snaphot from 25 yards a couple of feet away from the bottom corner.

With ten minutes remaining, Hereford made the game safe, and the celebrations were in full-flow. Symons collected a pass on the edge of the box and used his body well to turn his marker, and drive towards goal before firing powerfully past the goalie from close-range.

Mike Symons With Hereford's Third

Minutes later, Grant grabbed Hereford's fourth and his first of the season. The pace of the winger saw him ease past two defenders from deep inside the Sphinx half, and he raced into the box, before lifting a shot over the goalie, much to the delight of his team-mates.

Sirdic Grant With His First Ever Hereford Goal

There was nearly the cherry on top too as Oates crashed a right-foot shot against the bar after Haysham had set him up. The Australian was desperate to grab a goal; hopefully there'll be more chances at Shepshed Dynamo on the weekend.

At the final whistle, there was good natured celebrations from the travelling support and the players were certainly enjoying themselves, as the jubilant scenes continued long after the final whistle.

This was a great achievement for everyone involved at the club, and is testimony, not only to the players on the pitch, but to everyone off it too. To the many volunteers through to the supports, everyone has played their part in helping our reformed club back on its way to its former glories.

Beadle spoke about the team spirit that this group of players have, and there were moments towards the end which really showed it. Firstly, the celebrations when Grant scored. Not just for the individual's reactions, but the joy of his team-mates was evident. Later on, it was the efforts of the team to try get Oates on the scoresheet. The players we have had the pleasure of seeing this season are a talented bunch, but they're also a team, and perhaps that has been the biggest pleasure this season. Seeing a clearly gifted team, ready to give their all for each other, and for their manager, and 41 league games on, being duly rewarded with the league title.

Hereford finish the season at Shepshed Dynamo on Saturday, although there is the second-leg of the Midland League Cup against Stourport Swifts at Edgar Street on Thursday. The league trophy will be presented in the evening. A week today is the HFA Cup Final against Westfields, which will hopefully serve as part two of the possible quadruple.

Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Green, Willets, Bowen, Grant, Birch, Purdie, Tumelty, Haysham, Symons.

Subs: Laird, Robbins, Pilling, Bundu, Mills.

Coventry Sphinx: Malhotra, Donnie, Haines, Dakouri, Delaney, Albrighton, Quinn, Downes, Robinson, Rankin, Koriya.

Subs: Muldoon, Rooney, Braithwaite, Grocott, Abdirahman.

Bullsnews Men of the Match: Everyone involved at Hereford FC.

Absolutely Fantastic Said Hale

Speaking to BN after Hereford were confirmed as champions of the Midland Premier League, chairman Jon Hale was jubilant.

"It's just absolutely fantastic," said Hale.

"Absolutely elated for all the players and the management and the fans and the volunteers.

"This is just absolutely fantastic, I just can't explain it.

"I'm so pleased for everybody but especially for the players as they are the ones who go out over that white line every week.

"Tonight again they've been fantastic.

"I thought Coventry came at us a little bit first half and put us under a bit of pressure.

"But once again the lads have done it and I'm chuffed for everybody."

Everyone was celebrating.

"These scenes are so memorable.

"What a fantastic set of supporters we've got and I just hope they stick with us on this journey, just run and run and run."

We Did It In The Manner We've Done It All Season Said Beadle

In his post match press interview after winning the Midland Premier League, Hereford FC manager Peter Beadle poured praise on his players, the supporters and all the staff.

"We did it in a manner we've done it all season," said Beadle.

"To be fair I think we did it with desire and like I said they've been on a fantastic run of form and they showed why because they were sharp and lively.

"But I just thought we looked in control, it was a case of can we get the first goal and then the goal came.

"Again we started well second half and the two early goals made it comfortable for us.

"But it was about doing it properly and the players have been fantastic all year in the way they've gone about their business.

"They've done it with class but they've had to work hard and I can't heap enough praise on them especially for tonight, to wrap it up tonight under extreme pressure if you like.

"The expectation at this club is massive and it's easy with expectation to sometimes let it get to you. We've had massive crowds all year but even with all the expectancy to put a team together to play in the manner we have done all season I think is phenominal.

"The players deserve a lot of credit for that because this club is not easy to play for, I'm not easy to play for because of the standards I set but also for the expectations from the supporters and the club.

"They've been fantastic and I've just said to them I'm delighted I can't thank them enough and that's all of them. A lot of players aren't here tonight that have played a part during the season, Pagey, Sol, Tony James, Ben Miller, Dean Lee, they've all played parts earlier in the season so they've all played a part in taking this football club to the next level.

"I couldn't be prouder being at the helm of this but I've also said to them I'm greedy and I win all four now. So I want to win on Thursday to go to the final and I want to win on Monday and I want to win on Saturday. It becomes a habit and we've just got to make sure we maintain our levels of discipline, our levels of professionalism and doing it in the way we've managed all season."

The fans have loved the football you've played said interviewer Trevor Owens.

"Yes of course, like I said we always had a philosophy, I think when I came in and took over the old club the last eight games in the Conference was they saw a change of style in the way we play.

"If you have the right players, in the right mood and they are full of confidence for me, for me that's the right way to play. It's open, it's attractive, sometimes to our detrement we look ourselves a little bit too open as we found out this year with some goals we've given away.

"But I wouldn't change that for anything.

"Football is about winning and in the last couple of games we've had to change a little bit but we've still at times played some fantastic football and scored some fantastic goals.

"And that won't change, our philosophy is that we work our socks off first minute to last minute and we play open and attractive football and you go through the goals we've scored this year and some of them have been fantastic goals."

Of many highlights tonight Sirdic Grant's goal tops them.

"We've been on his case for weeks now because he's come in, certainly in the last eight games he's played he's been phenominal and he's given us something different and the lads have been crying out for him to score and he's had several numerous chances over recent weeks but his goal tonight was phenominal and that showed what he is all about, his pace and his desire and drive.

"I thought he had touched it one too many before the keeper got there but he just managed to get in front and toe it past him.

"And it showed what it meant to everybody, because everybody went to him. It just goes to show what a fantastic group this is of players and how well they all get on.

"And you've seen them all at the end and some have played more than others but they've all played a massive part."

Match Night Pictures:

Pictures from last night's game at Coventry Sphinx where Hereford FC won 4-0 and became Midland Premier League Champions.