Downes still hunting striker despite five-goal haul

Aaron Downes

Aaron Downes insists Hereford will continue their search for a striker — despite hitting five goals for the first time in 753 days on Tuesday night in a 5-2 win over Chester.

The Bulls produced one of their most fluent attacking displays of the season, with George Munday leading the line superbly and receiving strong support from midfield and wide areas.

But Downes was quick to temper any suggestion that the emphatic win ends the debate over reinforcements up front.

Hereford still have up to eight games in hand, though it's only the two clubs either side of them in the table who have scored fewer goals.

“I’m still looking, don’t worry about that,” he said when asked whether the performance had silenced talk of needing another forward.

When asked if a new striker might be coming in, he added: “Yeah, hopefully.”

"Tonight was more about desire and endeavour and should I say game plan, the way we wanted to attack the night."

The manager revealed the result was built on detailed preparation, including a tactical meeting the night before the game.

“It’s not full-time so we’ve got to get as much time in with the players as possible,” he explained. “The lads gave up 20 minutes of their evening last night for me, which I really appreciate, in order to get some information and detail into them. It's drip feeding.

“We’ve done a lot of work out of possession and yesterday was all about in possession. The boys took it on really well.”

Downes stressed there is “still room for improvement” but described the victory as “another really good step in the right direction” as he continues shaping the squad.