Match report: top team performance from Hereford secures three points in play-off hunt

Hereford are back to winning ways as they picked up a crucial three points against high-flying Chorley.

Starting the afternoon as a 10th vs 3rd battle, Hereford boss Paul Caddis made one change to the side that lost 2-1 at Darlington on Saturday, bringing in Matt Preston in place of Lawson D'Ath. By the end of 90 minutes, Yusifu Ceesay's first half goal was enough to secure three points and see his side rise back up to eighth.

The first half started as a relatively even affair, though Chorley did dominate possession. An early chance from former Bull Momodou Touray stung the hands of Fleetwood loanee Tom Donaghy but the rebound was cleared.

While the pressure continued from Chorley, Hereford took the lead somewhat against the run of play. As Dylan Mitchell won the ball and searched for Jason Cowley, the ball went behind for a corner. That was taken into the heart of the 18-yard box, brought down by Matt Preston, poked forward by Kyle Howkins and eventually back-heeled into the net by Yusifu Ceesay - all while Chorley failed to clear.

With fans hoping the Bulls would now build on that early lead, they certainly tried as a Sammy Robinson free kick was cleared in the area by Adam Hanley, Jaiden White's inviting ball towards Yusifu Ceesay was snuffed out and then the best chance came for Mitchell. Down the right, White picked out Cowley who raced into the area - and with the goalkeeper off his line, teed-up Mitchell who was just denied by the floundering keeper Matt Urwin.

After starting the game on top, the onslaught continued against Chorley as Hereford put the visitors under near-continuous pressure. Chorley did break at times, including in the 26th minute with a long-range wayward shot from Dubem Eze, but the game soon settled.

As half-time neared, and Chorley lacking in the final third, Hereford continued searching for a second, though they were often thwarted by the visitors' defence, which included former Bull Harvey Smith.

Half time: Hereford 1 - Chorley 0

Into the second half, the message from Caddis was likely to have been "more of the same, please lads", as a two-goal cushion would have led to a slightly more relaxed end to the game.

There was an early booking as Warren Clarke was booked for simulation, diving as he lost the ball on his way into the Hereford box. With panic of a penalty over, Hereford forced a couple of corners, which culminated in Ceesay's flicked effort being blocked. Also, from a corner, Cowley threatened at the near post but saw his header saved by Urwin.

For Chorley, lively winger Courtney Senior - who also put in a shift defensively - crossed in from the left, found the head of Murray Campbell who couldn't control his effort as it flew wide. A similar effort in front of the Meadow End for Hereford saw Hudson head wide from a White free kick.

Controversy flared in the 67th minute though as Hereford were denied a penalty. Edgar Street, packed with more than 2,300 home fans just a week and a half before Christmas, protested the decision to book Jason Cowley for simulation after he looked to have been brought down in the box by the sprawling Urwin. The forward had done well to burst forward and get onto the end of White's ball but was denied a spot kick.

 

Before being replaced by Ahkeem Rose, Cowley tried to get his name on the scoresheet with a speculative shot which was high and wide of Urwin's goal.

Into the final 10 minutes, Hereford had chances thanks to Rose, who saw an effort saved under pressure, and an inches-wide shot from White missing the far post. An Alex Babos corner, brought on in place of McGlynn, was somehow kept out by Urwin as he smothered the ball in a crowd of players at the near post.

Two late ambitious efforts from Chorley subs Jack Rise and Tom Carr sailed into the now-demolished Blackfriars End as they desperately tried to rescue a point, but it would be Chorley finishing the afternoon with no points as Hereford claimed all three.

It was a great team performance from the Bulls this afternoon, notably man mountain Kyle Howkins being a calm, assured man at the back, alongside Matt Preston, to mop up the pressure from Chorley. Perhaps unfair to single one person out, it was a solid performance from the team who now go into a tough run of games over the Christmas period. With the Bulls now just a point outside the top seven with a game in hand over four of the team to play for, every game - and every point - is crucial.

Full time: Hereford 1 - Chorley 0

Attendance: 2,396 (41 away)

Sponsors' man of the match: Jason Cowley

Hereford: Donaghy, Bartley, Howkins, Preston, Hudson, Robinson, Mitchell (D'Ath 90+1), McGlynn (Babos 59), Ceesay, White (Williams 90+3), Cowley (Rose 73)

Subs not used: Rooney

Chorley: Urwin, Henley, Campbell, Smith, Powell, Horbury, Senior, Clarke, Eze (Rice 75'), Sampson (Hall 72'), Touray (Carr 54')

Subs not used: Ellis, Bird