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| Mendes celebrates his equaliser |
Since the Whites have been in the National League North, they've never been able to claim more than a point from Spennymoor, but today was the day. And what a day it turned out to be, not only with Mednes' rasping equaliser, but Andy Williams' debut as Paul Caddis threw the kitchen sink at the game in search of a winner - which came in injury time through Cowley.
It was a disappointing first half for Caddis's side though where, despite the pre-match optimism with Jordan Lyden starting and Williams being on the bench since his pre-season injury, they struggled to break through.
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| Jordan Lyden |
Attacking the Blackfriars End in the first half, an early free kick went Hereford's way as Lebrun Mbeka tripped Jason Cowley on the left. But despite Alex Babos trying to whip the ball into the box, it hit a navy shirt - with the Bulls needing to do better from free kicks in decent positions.
At the other of the end pitch, which had recovered well without being played on over the past fortnight, Mark Anderson's cross-field ball was inch-perfect to Keenan Ferguson high up on the right-hand side. He was able to get the better of Aaron Skinner, playing on the left as Ollie Southern filled in at right-back, but Paul Downing was able to cut the cross out, much to Ferguson's despair.
It was then two chances in two minutes for the hosts, firstly Lassana Mendes, played in by Tom Pugh, was able to send a looping ball to Jason Cowley at the far post, but his headed effort was deflected wide of the post by centre-back Ben Pollock.
Then, from a corner, Ollie Southern's header went just wide of the upright as the Bulls looked to get a foothold in the game.
That foothold never came though, with a corner to Spennymoor leading to the opening goal. Anderson's corner from the left was met with a firm header from Mbeka and the ball was buried in the back of the net with seemingly little pressure from the Bulls' defence.
Despite the 10 bright minutes midway through the first half, the Bulls failed to get on top of the game and the Meadow End grew increasingly frustrated with their side being sloppy in possession with misplaced passes. That enabled Spennymoor to drive forward on several occasions.
One of the better chances for the visitors saw Will Harris capitalise on a Nathan Cameron mistake, unleashing a shot goalbound, but it was somehow kept out by a diving Curtis Pond. With the rebound not immediately dealt with the Bulls' recovering defence, Daniel Greenfield got one the end of the rebound but blazed his shot well over the jeering Meadow End.
For what turned out to be Hereford's best chance of the half in the 40th minute, Yusifu Ceesay pinched the ball from Reece Staunton in defence before bursting through on goal, but sprawling keeper James Montgomery was able to block the lively winger's chance.
As the seemed to wake from their slumber, there were also half chances for Pugh, Lyden and Cowley before the half was out.
Half time: Hereford 0 - Spennymoor 1
Into the second half and with Lyden making way for Aurio Teixeria, it would prove to turn out to be a game of two halves.
Mendes came close to equalising within two minutes of the restart when he met Ceesay’s deep cross with a looping header which landed on the roof of the net.
There was then a great link-up between Cowley, Alex Babos and then Ceesay as the Bulls drove forward, with Mendes' subsequent header hitting the side netting.
After problematic striker Glen Taylor fired over Pond's goal, Babos, creating more problems for The Moors at the start of the second half, then returned the favour as he blazed an effort over the bar at the other end. Jason Cowley also saw a diving header saved before Ceesay's rebound went wide.
But the first of two goals to remember came in the 56th minute was Mendes levelled. With a corner only being half cleared by Spennymoor, Mendes was lurking on the edge of the area to canon the ball past Montgomery.
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| Sorry For Poor Quality Pictures Of Mendes's Goal |
After cartwheeling and backflipping his way over to the front of the Meadow End, referee Niall Smith was only too happy to dish out a card for the celebrations.
It felt like it would only be a matter of time before the Bulls found the goal to put them in front, with the second half bringing renewed vigour to the side thanks to a presumably firm half time team talk. Now able to string passes together and threaten a well-organised Spennymoor, the Bulls carried on creating chances with Ceesay firing wide and captain Cameron, donning a spare shirt and headband after an earlier head injury, heading over.
Bulls fans then had the early Christmas present there were hoping for, Andy Williams making his debut for the club, coming on in the 73rd minute to replace Tom Pugh.
It could've been perfect too as within 10 minutes, Alex Babos' corner found the head of Williams but his chance was dramatically cleared off the line in a last-ditch scramble from the visitors.
Another rocket of a shot from Mendes saw it ripple the side netting before keeper Montgomery finally booked for time-wasting. Now a little keener to get on with things, Spennymoor put the Bulls' defence under pressure but couldn't create a meaningful chance.
With Hereford's strike force bolstered again with Adam Rooney coming on for Aaron Skinner, that's when the almost inevitable winner came and the scenes unfolded. In the 91st minute, number nine Jason Cowley sent the side and crowd into raptures with an incredible winner.
Outside the box, the ball dropped to Cowley who turned onto his left foot and beautifully curled the ball into the top corner.
During the remainder of the seven minutes injury time, Mendes was given his marching orders after picking up his second yellow for a rash challenge.
But that's not the lasting memory of today. It was Hereford's ability to bounce back from going a goal down (again), two well-taken goals and having Andy Williams back on the field.
Full time: Hereford 2 - Spennymoor Town 1
Attendance: 2,707 (43 away)
Sponsors' man of the match: Lassana Mendes
Hereford: Pond, Southern, Cameron, Downing, Skinner (Rooney 85), Lyden (Teixeira 46), Pugh (Williams 73), Mendes, Babos, Ceesay, Cowley.
Subs not used: Tolley, Howkins.
Moors: Montgomery, Ferguson (McKeown 65), Mbeka, Pollock, Ledger, Staunton, Anderson, Ross, Greenfield, Harris (Fielding 79), Taylor.
Subs not used: Roxburgh, Gallacher, Mouat.