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| Jason Cowley trying to talk to the Hereford fans behind the goal |
Boxing Day's spirited 3-2 win at Gloucester City was marred by the behaviour of a minority of Hereford supporters.
The Bulls came from behind to win the first of the Christmas double header, netting the winner in the 99th minute.
The game could've been put to bed earlier though with other match-winning chances in the second half for Andy Williams and Yusifu Ceesay, as well as Jason Cowley's injury time goal being chalked off.
The second half was marred by the behaviour of some Hereford fans though, with objects being thrown onto the pitch. The Bulls' following, said by Gloucester to be 960 of the 2,498-strong crowd, was vocal throughout the game but some weren't always a credit to the club.
Objects thrown could have included a coin, with Gloucester's keeper Zach Jeacock, on loan from Birmingham City, appearing to hand the referee an item after Yusifu Ceesay broke the deadlock in the 49th minute.
The referee then went to speak with both benches, something he also did later in the half too.
Then, at several points in the second half, a Gloucester representative (pictured) had to go and clear both goalmouths of pint glasses, with fans from both sides throwing drinks as they celebrated.
After the final whistle, drinks were also thrown towards Hereford keeper Curtis Pond from the home terrace.
the Hereford keeper enjoyed himself at the final whistle pic.twitter.com/RWNXOuFKWP
The goals at Gloucester's TigerTurf stadium are also within touching distance of the terrace and Bulls fans did move the mobile posts on at least two occasions.
At one point, Jason Cowley and substitute Andy Williams - who scored Hereford's second and third goals - had to go over and tell the fans to stop (pictured).
Other supporters also shouted to those responsible to stop, and they then proceeded to clap the strikers for their gesture.
Perhaps a semi-circle type of barrier to put more distance between fans and the goals would be an idea?
Throughout the game, bars serving both sets of supporters kept the pints flowing. Consuming alcohol within view of the pitch is prohibited from the Premier League down to the National League, but is not banned in the National League North.
Stewards were also not as visible as you might expect elsewhere, at Edgar Street for example. Seemingly, it was only after two fans from the away end invaded the pitch that stewards appeared pitchside. One of those two appeared to try and tackle Gloucester's keeper.
On X, formerly Twitter, Gloucester City said after Williams' equaliser: "Same again kick off delayed due to Hereford fans throwing things on the pitch. 🙄"
That was after an earlier post after Ceesay's goal: "Kick off has yet to be taken with a few things thrown onto the pitch. Jeacock has complained to the referee and he’s currently talking to the benches."
The danger is that Hereford could be fined for the behaviour of their supporters.
So too could Gloucester, who also threw plastic pint glasses onto the pitch.
One Hereford supporter said on Facebook after the game: "Sad that a small minority have to be childish throwing coins at player and onto the pitch, throwing cups onto the pitch and pulling the net and moving the goalpost causing the game to stop a few times why cant they just behave!
"Cause theyre the ones who are going to cause us issues for the club if they take more action against us."