Nine Years Ago This Week - Hereford Through To Third Qualifying Round Of FA Cup

Hereford FC could not take part in the FA Cup during their first season but in the second season they could.

The campaign started with a 4-2 win over Alvechurch. Then tougher opponents in the second qualifying round with an away tie at Sutton Coldfield.

A look back to September 17th 2016:

Hereford progressed to the next round of the FA Cup with a last gasp victory over Sutton Coldfield courtesy of a John Mills penalty. Hereford went behind through a Ryan Edmunds shot, before Mills equalised. Mike Symons scored in the second-half, before Trainer again scored to equal proceedings, but it was left to Mills who fired home a last minute penalty to send Hereford through.

There Was a One Minute Silence For Shaw Lane's Daniel Wilkinson Who Passed Away Last Week

Peter Beadle named an unchanged side for Hereford, who last played against Winchester seven days ago winning 2-0. Sutton Coldfield included former Shrewsbury striker Luke Rodgers up top, whilst there were a couple of former Bulls' links. 'Keeper James Wren once trialled at Hereford, whilst Steven Leslie spent two loans spells at Edgar Street in 2011, scoring four times in twenty one games.

The hosts started well and Phil Trainer smashed an effort from outside of the box against the crossbar, with the rebound hitting Alex Harris and bouncing behind for a corner. Sutton Coldfield continued to press and a corner was nodded down to Rodgers, but his shot was pushed away by Harris. Hereford had their first opportunity of the game after a burst from Ross Staley, saw the ball eventually fell to Symons, but he was off-target from a good position.

Hereford had a shout for a penalty turned down after a handball appeal, following a clumsy clearance after a Staley cross. Later on in the half, good build up let to Tristam Plummer putting a superb ball but Symons failed to make a clean connection from close-range and the ball fell away to danger. In the 39th minute, Sutton Coldfield took the lead with a classic route one. A long-ball forward was collected by Edmunds, and from 18 yards, the forward smashed into the back of the net despite the best efforts of Harris to keep it out.

Sutton Coldfield Scored First

 

There was a quick response though from Hereford. Staley found space to find Plummer; he slid it through into the path of Mills and the leading marksman made no mistake from 8 yards to make it 1-1.

Tristan Plummer Provided The Cross From Which John Mills Scored

Immediately after half-time, Hereford turned it around. Similar to the opener for Sutton Coldfield, a long ball forward wasn't dealt with and Symons finished well from close-range to make it 2-1 to the Bulls. Soon after, Jake Sinclar replaced Plummer as Beadle opted to freshen up his eleven.

Mike Symons Scores Hereford's Second Goal

Sinclar looked lively; his early cross from the right was met with a first-time volley from Mills, which curled just past the post. Both sides had further chances with Jamie Edge catching a sweet right-foot half-volley, which flew past the post. Despite this it was the home side who drew level, with just over five minutes remaining. A long throw caused havoc in the box and Trainer was on hand to equalise.

Trainer Heads Towards Goal

Yet, in the dying seconds of the game, Hereford were awarded a penalty. A throw into the box was challenged for by Symons, and he crossed low with his left-foot, only for it to hit a hand and divert into the side netting. After strong appeals, the referee pointed to the spot. Mills stepped forward, despite his miss last weekend at Winchester, and scored, to send Hereford into the next round.

A Cross From Mike Symons Appeared To Hit A Defenders Hand As It Went Into The Side Netting

John Mills Took The PenaltyAnd Made No Mistake

880 were in attendance in north Birmingham as Hereford sealed a late path through to the next round of the FA Cup. Hereford are next in action a week today, when they visit high flying Tiverton in a top of the table clash. The FA Cup draw takes place on Monday at midday where Hereford will find out their next round opponents.

Hereford: Harris, Oates, Parry, Green, Barker, Plummer, Purdie, Edge, Staley, Symons, Mills.

Subs: Horsell, Edwards, Willets, Sinclair, Huntbach.

 

Fully Deserved Victory Said Jenkins

Hereford FC Assistant Manager Steve Jenkins felt that this afternoon's 3-2 win at Sutton Coldfield in the FA Cup was 'fully deserved'.

"I don't think there's any doubt we deserved to win the game," Jenkins told BN.

"Alright we won it late but I've got no doubts that we did more than enough to win that game."

Sutton Coldfield were quite physical and the referee a bit lenient?

"He missed a few in the first half.

Chris Barker Felt The Full Force Of A Defender's Elbow Which The Referee Missed

Peter Beadle Was Very Concerned

But Was Soon Told To Get Off The Pitch

"We knew they were big, we knew they had quite a few 6ft 3in lads in their team so we knew we had to deal with that physically. I thought we did.

"It was a little bit disappointing to conceed the goals but overall throughout the ninety I thought we dealt with their physicality and we stuck to it and to be fair to the boys we dug in and matched them physically."

John Mills sealed the win with a well taken penalty in added time.

"I don't watch penalties. I look away and I just wait for the reaction. It was great to hear the crowd when it went it because the last two I haven't heard it!  It was a great way to win a cup tie doing it with a couple of minutes to go in that manner.

"It was a proper cup-tie and a difficult one against a team in the Northern Premier but I felt we more than matched them and like I said earlier we fully deserved the win."

Hereford know they are in the draw on Monday without having to replay.

"The Gaffer went into the team talk saying we want to make sure we in the draw for Monday and that's what every team wanted to do today and we're part of the nearly 50% that did go through.

Back to the League next Saturday with, on paper, a hard looking game at Tiverton who are in second place in the table.

"I know it's an old cliche but we do take one game at a time. We'll have a good week this week now obviously because going into the last five minutes we thought there might be another replay. 

"So it will be great now to go in with two sessions next week fully prepared for Saturday and looking to be positive and we'll hope for three points again."

Peter Beadle Talking To New Signing Michael McGrath

Latest signing Michael McGrath will be available next Saturday.

"I think we just missed the deadline for today. They worked tiredlessly hard yesterday morning to try and get it through but it just didn't happen. I think they missed it by about ten minutes.

"We're delighted to get him in, he'll be a great addition for us.

"He's a midfielder, he's a quality acquisition, he's played at good level, he's got good experience and he'll do a great job for us."

Tristan Plummer was subbed early the second half and replaced by Jake Sinclair.

"That was precautionary that was. Plummer started to feel his hamstring at half-time. He went back out but it didn't feel right with him so it was precautionary.

Sinclair Heads The Ball Past The Keeper

But It Went Wide

"It was a good opportunity for Jake to come on. He's been with us a while now and he's been chomping at the bit to get some game time. I thought he did well when he came on."

Both Jamie Willets and Joel Edwards were on the bench after injury.

"They are fit now, fit for selection. It is a situation when you find youself out of the team it can be difficult to get back in but that's what's needed at any club if you want to be successful. You need competition for places and that's what we've got. We've been a little bit light in terms of bodies with the injuries over the past couple of weeks. So that should take care of itself over the next week and there will be proper competition for places which is what we want."

Jamie Cuss remains sidelined. Do you know how long he might be out for?

"We don't know at this moment. He's had his scan but we're waiting for the specialist to read it and give us the verdit."

And Pablo Haysham who had a brace on last week at Winchester.

"It always looks worse than what it is. Purely that's for the rehab to get his injury to heal quicker than just walking around. Hopefully he'll be available after Tiverton, fingers crossed. Provided he has a good week in terms of his rehabilitation."