Downes hails Munday as ‘breath of fresh air’ and addresses recall question

Cambridge United loanee George Munday celebrates one of his three goals against Leamington

Aaron Downes hailed hat-trick hero George Munday as a “breath of fresh air” after the young striker helped power Hereford to a 5-1 victory over relegation-threatened Leamington.

In their first game at Edgar Street for two months, the Bulls fell behind inside four minutes when Frank Tattum capitalised on a loose pass across the back to put the visitors ahead.

But Hereford responded strongly, with Munday scoring twice before half-time to turn the contest around before adding his third after the break. Harrison Sohna and substitute Andy Williams also found the net as the Bulls produced an emphatic comeback in front of nearly 2,500 supporters.

Downes said the 19-year-old striker has quickly made his mark since arriving at the club.

"Over the moon for George, he's been a breath of fresh air coming into the football club and he's full of energy," Downes said.

"He's desperate to score goals. He's a great character, great kid and we're really glad we've got him."

"It's about managing everybody and tonight I just felt it was a good night for him to go and really just open his legs and enjoy himself. He did that superbly."

BBC Hereford and Worcester's Carson Wishart asked whether parent club Cambridge United might look to recall Munday, given that he has impressed in his first three weeks.

But Downes played down any suggestion Munday could be recalled before the loan expires at the end of the season.

He said he had a good relationship with Cambridge and are "luckily" having a good season, sitting third in League Two, just five points off the summit.

"Cambridge are very on board and they're happy that we're getting the best out of their striker," Downes added.

"George is really enjoying it himself so I'm hoping that there's no danger of that and we can keep George to the end season and he can keep producing performances like that."

Aaron Skinner, Keziah Martin and Harrison Sohna were also singled out for praise from Hereford's boss, who has only been in the job three weeks but has seen his team pick up 13 points from six games and score an impressive 15 goals.

But Hereford’s busy schedule also meant the squad was again rotated and the manager turned to his bench during the second half, with substitutes making a noticeable impact.

Andy Williams added the fifth goal after coming on late, while Mikey Lane’s assist helped set up Munday’s third as fresh legs helped Hereford maintain their momentum and see out the win comfortably.

The win leaves the Bulls just one point from safety — 10 closer than when Downes arrived — but tougher tests await with the league’s top two, South Shields and AFC Fylde, next to visit Edgar Street.