 |
| Alec Babos Scored The Opening Goal Of The Game |
Tate Campbell’s last gasp strike earned Hereford their first National League North win at Brackley, at the fifth time of trying.
The Bulls are now third in the division after six games, and ground out three points against a Brackley side who dominated possession for long periods.
But Hereford took their chances, and the large travelling contingent backing Paul Caddis’ side head home delighted.
Hereford made two changes with Andy Williams replacing Montel Gibson in attack, while Matt Preston returned in defence for Kyle Howkins. Boss Gavin Cowan named former Bulls man Zak Lilly in the Brackley defence, with Tommy O’Sullivan among the home side’s substitutes.
The Bulls didn’t have history on their side coming into the this game, having lost every match here at St James Park since promotion to Vanarama North, but today was to be different.
Brackley dominated possession in the first half and kept Hereford on the back foot, without giving Bulls goalkeeper Aaron Chapman much to do. Chapman had two spells of treatment, after a clash early on, which caused a worry with Hereford not naming a goalkeeper among their substitutes. Brackley defender Tyler Lyttle’s low free kick went just wide, shaving the post, while a drive from Alex Babos looked to be off-target from the moment he struck it.
Babos then suffered an injury which required treatment, and although he was cleared to continue, he re-emerged with a shirt without a number.
 |
| Babos Appeared To Be Caught By Former Bull Zac Lilly |
Did that make him invisible? It might as well have! No-one tracked him as he turned home a ball from close range to give Hereford an unlikely lead. Yusifu Ceesay had carried out the build-up work, and drove a shot towards Brackley keeper Maxted who along with Lilley failed to clear the ball. It fell kindly to Babos, who had the job of knocking it in.
But Hereford couldn’t hold on until half time, with Brackley levelling two minutes into additional time when a corner caused confusion in the area. Hereford failed to clear, and Matt Lowe fired home in a crowded penalty box to equalise.
In the second period, Brackley created opportunities through Morgan Roberts, and Danny Newton’s effort was deflected behind for a corner. Another Newton attempt was headed just over the bar, as Paul Caddis switched around his Hereford side. Off came Andy Williams, with Montel Gibson replacing him, and Cosmos Matwasa and Chay Tilt ended the arena from the bench too.
 |
| Zac Lilly Gets A Yellow After A Foul On Akheem Rose |
The changes rejuvenated Hereford, who took the game to Brackley in the latter stages. Gibson forced an excellent save out of the Brackley goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, while at the other end, the home side created late chances too.
As the match ticked into added time, it looked like a draw was on the cards. Danny Newton headed wide for Brackley, before an excellent breakaway move up the right channel sent Hereford goalwards. Tilt fed the ball to Campbell, who drilled a low shot into the net to hand Hereford three points.
Brackley almost made it 2-2 in the dying stages when Scott Pollock’s effort was fired over, but it was the 390 Hereford fans who joined the celebrations with the Bulls players and coaching staff at the final whistle. Still unbeaten, Hereford fought hard to earn this victory and move into third place in the division.
Hereford: Chapman, Skinner (Matwasa, 82), Hudson, Preston, Robinson, D’Ath, Babos (Tilt, 81), Ceesay, Williams (Gibson, 68), Rose. Subs: Bitemo, Teixeira.
Brackley: Maxted, Lyttle, Dean, Lilly, Calder, Byrne, Bates, Hall, Newton, Roberts (Pollock, 67), Lowe (Craig, 72). Subs: O’Sullivan, Worby, Cross.