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| Ben Pollock Watches As His Header Beats The Keeper |
Luke Haines was controversially sent off as Hereford were thrashed 8-1 by Cheltenham this evening.
Haines was dismissed after only 11 minutes for bringing down his man as he went through on goal. It is very rare for a player to be sent off in a friendly and that decision ruined the game.
Nevertheless, Cheltenham were ruthless from start to finish and could easily have scored more goals. Former Hereford United striker Andy Williams scored a hat-trick for the Robins as did Alfie May. Hereford's consolation came via a Ben Pollock header at the death.
Williams - who enjoyed two spells at Edgar Street and helped the Bulls gain to promotion to the Football League in 2006 - almost put Cheltenham into the lead after just 17 seconds. However, despite beating Hereford keeper Brandon Hall, Williams' clipped effort came back off the post.
However, the Cheltenham striker did put his side into the lead in the 9th minute after May's shot was deflected into his path.
And Hereford's woes deepened two minutes later when Haines was harshly sent off. A poor pass by George Forysth resulted in Chris Hussey bearing through on goal. He was then brought down by Haines, resulting in the Bulls defender being shown a straight red card.
In a competitive match, no one could have complained about the decision, but despite protests by both managers, the red card stood. Cheltenham manager Michael Duffy even asked the referee if he could take off a player so it was 10 versus 10, but his request fell on deaf ears.
If the match wasn't over by then, it certainly was in the 17th minute when the Robins made it 3-0. This time, May was on hand to score after Hall was caught napping trying to collect a loose ball.
May almost grabbed another goal in the 28th minute but Mitch Hancox was on hand to clear the ball off the line. Nevertheless, it was 4-0 four minutes before half time when May set up Liam Sercombe to score.
If anyone thought that Cheltenham would take their foot off the gas after the break, they were mistaken. May scored two quick goals within five minutes to seal his hat-trick before Williams got his treble in the 72nd minute following an excellent move.
Williams almost scored again but saw his effort hit the top of the crossbar but it was 8-0 when an unnamed played, believed to be Will Armitage, netted.
Hereford did get on the scoresheet at the death thanks a fine Pollock header, which at least was something for the Bulls fans to cheer, but overall it was a tough night for them to endure.
Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Hancox, Lloyd, Owen-Evans, Butlin, Haines, Pollock, Forsyth, Kouhyar, Trialist. Subs: Klukowski, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist.
Cheltenham: Flinders, Long, Boyle, Horton, Blair, Hussey, Sercombe, Barkers, Williams, May. Subs: Evans, Raglan, Freestone, Bonds, Miles, Lloyd, Ebanks.
Attendance: 894.