Hereford FC deservedly won this afternoon's pre-season friendly against The New Saints (TNS) with an impressive performance particularily in the first half.
The game was played behind closed doors and strict regulations were in force to ensure social distancing was the order of the day other than on the pitch.
Jared Hodgkiss was captain, also starting the game were Paul White, Jamie Grimes and Demetri Brown. Several signed players are currently on the injury list so no game for Lenell John-Lewis, Tom Owen-Evans, Ben Pollock and Dan Jones. Former Hereford United player James McQuilken was amidst the trialists.
The Bulls, in black and white, played towards the Blackfriars End in the first half and started the brighter of the two teams.
And with just three minutes on the clock Hereford took the lead. It was a left-back trialist who, from a narrow angle, put the ball into the back of the net after he was fed by another trialist.
The opposition had a good chance to equalise from a corner but the ball was headed over the goal. A minute later Hereford had a corner which was taken by McQuilken. A trialist had his effort cut out by a defender. McQuilken then sent two well placed crosses into the area but no-one could get on the end of either of them.
TNS had another great chance to equalise but White was alert to the effort.
Hereford were playing well, putting together several good runs mainly from the left side, one of which resulted in a good effort from one of the trialists.
Shortly afterwards Grimes showed what a decent signing he looks to be when he did well to stop a TNS attack.
Brown took a knock to his lower leg and was subbed just before Hereford extended their lead a couple of minutes before half-time.
As with the first goal it was a passage of play from the left that led to the goal. A trialist striker sent a low ball towards goal and it was deflected in by Ryan Astles.
And Hereford might have made it 3-0 after another attack on the left side, the resulting shot was just met by a defender.
Manager Josh Gowling kept faith with those who finished the first half for the start of the second period. And whilst TNS had more possession, they didn't look dangerous in front of goal. What came towards White was easily dealt with.
TNS had one player yellow carded in the first period and another after 58 minutes. Perhaps a bit of frustration setting in as they were finding it difficult to break down Hereford.
Gowling started to bring on more trialists on 60 minutes. Amidst others McQuilken was replaced. Three minutes later Grimes was subbed. However the players that came on appeared to be of a better standard than at Stourbridge last Tuesday and were able to keep TNS in check.
On 65 minutes a good run from a young trialist might have resulted in a goal if he had his pass had found a near-by striker.
After Hodgkiss was subbed Toby Raison, playing at right back, took over the captain's arm band. White was then replaced by a trialist keeper.
Despite all the changes Hereford continued to push forward. On several ocassions numberous passes were put together. It was quite exciting to watch even if the final pass didn't quite work.
A high ball into the area was put out for a Hereford corner and shortly afterwards a trialist shot across the face of the TNS goal.
TNS had a good chance to score in the last minute but, as for much of the afternoon, the Hereford defence was solid.
So the final score was Hereford 2 TNS 0.
This was by far Hereford's best pre-season performance to date against a strong TNS side who continue their Europa League campaign away at B36 on Wednesday week. Several trialists looked worthy of another chance to show what they can do and no doubt many will get another chance at Halesowen on Tuesday.
BN Man of the Match: Jamie Grimes
Finally one of the TNS media has at last been inside Edgar Street. He watched Ronnie Radford's goal against Newcastle in the FA Cup back in 1972 and vowed he wanted to come to see Hereford's ground. 48 years later he made it.