Hereford fight back to claim 1st ever win at the Paycare ground

With a perfect away record of 10 League victories and just 1 defeat on 21 League games runaway leaders Hereford Lads Club went into this game against out of sorts Darlaston as firm favourites, but for the first 45 minutes the hosts were the better side and only a half time pep talk by Hereford manager Dan Moon saw the visitors turn it round in the 2nd half.

With new boss Scott Bamford taking charge for his first game Chevare Gordon and Lucas Hough were brought in at centre half in the absence of skipper Ryan McAllister. In difficult playing conditions the home side made a bright start with Gordon and Michael Nelson settling in to unaccustomed midfield roles whilst Luke Charlton was impressive opening up play with several incisive passes.

Sam Melia and Josh Carvel combined well on two occasions early in the game but were well shackled by Rory Worthing and Kalum Willdig. Playing against the wind Hereford were finding it difficult to get their passing game going and this gave the home side confidence to push forward with pace and energy forcing 3 corners in quick succession all of which came to nothing.

Dan Herbert and Zac Sirrell looked dangerous for the visitors and both had half chances but Luke Harpin and Hough both made excellent saving tackles to deny them a clear shot at goal.

As the half was drawing to a close it seemed that Darlaston were going to be unrewarded for a much improved performance until the 38th minute when they finally broke the deadlock. Josh Carvel laid the ball off for Sam Melia who shrugged off challenges from Dixon and Worthing to swivel in the box and hook home from 10 yards giving keeper Steve Bell no chance.

The half time break proved to be decisive for the visitors as manager Dan Moon clearly roused his team who came out for the second half in spirited mood and quickly demonstrated why they have dropped only 3 points all season. They were rejuvenated as Steve Dixon, Darren Andrews and Jordan Burke began to control midfield and Darlaston found themselves under intense pressure in the opening 15 minutes of the half. Dan Herbert and Sirrell were finding space in and around the 18 yard box and the visitors tested keeper Aaron Morris on two occasions forcing the keeper into fine saves. As the pressure mounted Sirrell hit the post with an angled drive and Andrews volleyed over the bar from 15 yards.

Just when Darlaston thought they had weathered the storm the visitors equalised courtesy of a goalkeeping error midway though the second half. Keeper Morris' poor upfield clearance was seized upon by Sirrell who pushed forward to shoot from 20 yards. Morris appeared to have saved easily but he spilled the shot into the path of the Division's leading scorer Dan Herbert who slotted home easily from 6 yards for his 20th goal of the campaign.

Three minutes later with the home side still shell shocked they conceded a second goal which proved to be the winner. A long clearance by keeper Bell found Dixon whose shot was deflected into the path of Darren Andrews who had the easiest of chances to slot home from 6 yards with Morris stranded.

Darlaston re -grouped and the final 20 minutes were more evenly contested although they did not look like getting an equaliser which their first half display merited. Their best chance came in the 80th minute when a Lucas Hough free kick went over the bar from 20 yards.

Following the game new boss Scott Bamford was delighted and disappointed in equal measures he said " I am absolutely gutted that we did not get something from the game. We were excellent in the first half and I was delighted with the way we upset the rhythm of Hereford and we played some excellent football. They are an exceptional side and we more than matched them in the opening 45 minutes and thoroughly deserved our lead. As you would expect from the Division's leaders they opened the second half in rip roaring fashion and in the opening 20 minutes of the half they gave us a torrid time. You know with the best teams that they will always create chances and you need to stay strong and ride your luck. Just as we thought we had got through a very difficult spell we conceded two sloppy goals. Still, we showed that we can compete with the best in the Division and if we put in the same amount of effort , energy and quality every week I will be very happy as you will not come up against such a good side as Hereford very often".

This Saturday Darlaston travel to 2nd placed Newport Town (SHROPSHIRE) KO 3.00pm.