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Hereford FC v King's Lynn Town in the Enterprise National League North.
Hereford were back at the MandM Edgar Street Stadium once again after the disappointing and frustrating local derby defeat against AFC Telford United on Tuesday night looking to bounce back after surrendering top spot with the visit of former manager Paul Caddis and assistant manager Adam Rooney with their King's Lynn Town side.
The Linnets had former Hereford man Harley Hamilton in their ranks along with Hereford born shot-stopper Ronnie Hollingshead who both started.
There was only one change to the starting XI from the defeat against the Bucks with Fin Holmes’ first start since returning from injury in place of Billy Phillips who initially dropped to the bench before being replaced by Jordan Williamson pre kick-off, amongst that bench was Lewis Hudson who it was brilliant to see back in the fold following his own injury he picked up in the final pre-season outing at Bromsgrove Sporting.
The Bulls started on the offensive when Luke Spokes played in Holmes down the left channel before the cross eventually found Harry Tustin on the opposite side, but his shot was into the clutches of Hollingshead.
Ross Crane then fired over from the edge of the area for the visitors.
A loose pass by Tustin in midfield was picked up by Jesse Nwabueze who's effort from the edge of area took a nick off Will Merrett for a corner before the Linnets opened the scoring from the set-piece on 13 minutes. Captain Michael Clunan delivered towards the back post which Kwame Thomas got to before he was tugged to the deck by Kyle Howkins for a penalty from which he nonchalantly slotted down the middle.
Three minutes later and the visitors doubled their lead when Crane’s whipped cross from the right towards the back found Thomas again who headed back across goal for his brace.
Hereford regrouped and quickly responded when a neat ball through by Spokes was picked up by Harrison Iwunze who opened his body up but couldn't find the bottom-right corner with a curling effort which flew wide.
Spokes’ conjured delivery from a free-kick on the edge of the box on the left towards the front post was too close to the visiting shot-stopper.
Screams for a penalty from the home crowd were waved away by referee John Mulligan when Ryan Tunnicliffe brought down Danny Waldron.
In the 4 minutes of stoppage time Hereford had two quick-fire opportunities to try to pull a goal back, firstly Skinner floated a delightful ball into the box for Iwunze who's glancing header forced an acrobatic save out of Hollingsworth who tipped away for a corner before shortly afterwards a corner by Spokes was headed on target by Howkins only for it to be blocked on the line by Clunan and cleared meaning the Bulls had work to do in the second-half.
Half-time: Hereford FC 0-2 King's Lynn Town
Tustin burst out of the traps advancing to the edge of the box before being tackled by ex-Bull Hamilton with the loose ball trickling through to Iwunze who let the ball run onto his right but lashed wide.
12 minutes after the restart and King's Lynn almost added a third but Nwabueze rattled the woodwork after he beat Joseph James for pace down the left, cut inside, drove towards the edge of the box and let rip with his right foot.
However they did get an elusive third when Crane won the ball near the right corner flag laid the ball off to Aaron Jones who weaved towards the box curling into the bottom-left corner.
Tustin’s looping drive almost found the right side of the net from 25-yards but deflected off Ethan Warne for a corner before Spokes warmed the gloves of the Linnets keeper fizzing a drive straight down his throat.
There was a passage of play where no notable goalmouth action took place until the 88th minute - Kam Kandola’s fierce shot fell straight into the midriff of the visiting shot-stopper.
Late on substitute Keziah Martin floated a teasing cross onto the head of Iwunze but the Notts County loanee's flicked effort looped comfortably wide of the right post before Spokes sliced wide past the same upright with King's Lynn seeing the remainder out.
Full-time: Hereford FC 0-3 King's Lynn Town
Hereford FC: 1. Theo Richardson, 2. Aaron Skinner, 4. Kam Kandola ©️, 5. Will Merrett, 8. Harry Tustin, 10. Danny Waldron, 11. Fin Holmes, 14. Luke Spokes, 17. Joseph James, 19. Harrison Iwunze, 28. Kyle Howkins.
Substitutes: 3. Lewis Hudson, 6. Joe Willis, 7. Keziah Martin, 9. Cawley Cox, 15. Jordan Williamson, 21. Ollie Lewis, 30. Kameron Muir.
Attendance 3555 (38 away)
Another tough to take home defeat which is now three on the bounce where we’ve failed to score. It's back to the drawing board, looking for a response at Chorley whilst former manager Caddis will be ecstatic with his King's Lynn sides response following their midweek 5-0 humbling at Worksop Town.
It's a trip to Lancashire for the Bulls next up with a visit to Victory Park the home of Chorley FC. COYW
Words: Sam Cummins