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| Tate Campbell scored one of Hereford's three goals against Leamington |
After a goalless first half where the Bulls should've been in front, the players got the job done after the break as they netted three goals against a Leamington side with nothing but pride to play for.
Goals from Matt Preston, Tate Campbell and Jaiden White, as well as Sammy Robinson coming on as a substitute as he returned from injury, ensured a good day out for a bumper crowd at a miserable Edgar Street.
Though as Hereford rose to fifth in the table, the game at league leaders Kidderminster Harriers - and the final game at home to Scunthorpe United - are crucial to secure one of the coveted play-off spots with five sides after the final three places.
With the unchanged Hereford starting XI attacking the Blackfriars End in the first half, Yusifu Ceesay was first to test Callum Hawkins between the sticks, though his volley was well-saved down low after a quick break. For Leamington, Tim Berridge forced Theo Richardson into an early save before both sides settled into the game.
Tate Campbell tried to break the deadlock in the 19th minute but couldn't get enough on Lewis Hudson's cross to head past Hawkins, while chaos from a corner - conceded by the Brakes after Ceesay's effort from a free-kick was deflected wide - saw Matt Preston, Kyle Howkins and Tate Campbell denied by blocks.
Preston then had the ball in the back of the net after nodding a free-kick down across the line, though referee Melissa Burgin ruled it out after a foul in a crowded Leamington box.
For the Brakes, Owen Farmer came close with 33 minutes on the clock but once again Hereford's stopper Richardson was equal to the effort, with a good chance stinging his palms at full stretch.
Both sides had one more chance before the break, as an Omari Sterling-James run saw him tee-up Tate Campbell, only for the effort to go wide. For the visitors, Meredith's effort was blocked by a well-placed Howkins to ensure the sides went into half time level.
Half time: Hereford 0 - Leamington 0
Having had the best of the chances in the first half, Hereford would have been looking to start the second half strongly and take advantage of Leamington's slightly panic-stricken defence, albeit ably led by the experienced centre-back Theo Streete.
White Is Brought Down And A Card Is Shown To Quaynor
With a positive start to the second half, with White putting the ball into the back of the net after the offside flag was raised and firing a free kick inches over the bar, he was also pulled down from behind by Josh Quaynor after beating him - a foul that went unpunished.
But as Hereford continued to make strides, they eventually found the opener courtesy of Matt Preston. A free kick into the box was brought down by Remaye Campbell, who had been doing well to hold the ball up despite having three defenders on him at times, and with it in falling into the path of Preston, he drilled home.
Carnage then ensued, culminating in Caddis being shown a straight red card. It came after a foul on White, for which Adam Walker was duly punished with a yellow, but after a lengthy stoppage with the referee and fourth official in deep conversation, Caddis was given his marching orders. It was seemingly for leaving the dugout in an aggressive fashion, according to his assistant Adam Rooney.
A Sterling-James free kick was then headed over by Howkins and White continued to be a pest despite the chaos, shooting first time after bringing down a long ball, only for it to clear the Meadow End. The second goal, which was much needed, did come in the 74th minute via Tate Campbell. White was the creator after carrying the ball to the byline with neat footwork to beat Meredith. He crossed in for Tate Campbell to head home, sending the home side into raptures.
Hereford, boosted by Sammy Robinson returning from injury to replace Tate Campbell, then made it three in the 80th minute. Lively winger White bagged a goal for his efforts throughout the game - named by many fans as their man of the match - as he slotted a neat ball from Ceesay home.
Ceesay was agonisingly denied a goal seven minutes later, with substitute Babos playing the ball to him, only to be denied by the upright.
But for the remaining three minutes, and eight added on, the best chance came from a Babos corner as fellow sub Jason Cowley headed over from close range.
In all, it was a great, rounded and professional performance from Hereford who made sure they got the job done in wet and windy conditions at Edgar Street. It was certainly a crucial three points with all of the top seven, bar Scunthorpe United, winning. Now just the small matter of two title chasers in six days.
Full time: Hereford 3 - Leamington 0
Attendance: 3,822 (54 away)
Sponsors' man of the match: Matt Preston
Hereford: Richardson, Coates (Skinner 87’), Preston, Howkins, Hudson, T. Campbell (Robinson 77’), D’Ath (Babos 82’), White, Sterling-James (Williams 84’), Ceesay, R. Campbell (Cowley 86’)
Leamington: Hawkins, Meredith, Quaynor (Evans 67’), Richards (Edwards 71’), Streete, Landers (Lynn 85’), Walker, Berridge, Ward, Williams (Clarke 79’), Farmer
Sub not used: Shorrock