For the visit of St Ives Town on Tuesday evening, one change was forced on Hereford. After picking up his fifth yellow at Potters Bar last week, the suspended Ryan Green made way for Jimmy Oates’ return to the starting XI.
At a chilly Edgar Street, Hereford saw a couple of early chances in front of the Blackfriars End. Lance Smith got on the end of Cameron Pring’s cross, but his glancing header went wide at the far post.
A corner moments later saw Garyn Preen’s low drive smothered by visiting keeper James Goff, before John Mills wasn’t able to get enough on the ball as he turned an effort wide in the 11th minute.
It was a case of déjà vu in the 17th minute as, like on Saturday, Tyrone Duffus opened the scoring with a headed effort. The Cardiff City loanee burst forward to meet Garyn Preen’s corner, firmly heading the ball past the keeper.
In the 25th minute, Jimmy Oates’ determination to whip in a cross from the right paid off, as he found John Mills in the box. As the Hereford marksman tried a shot from an acute angle, it flashed across the face of goal before curling behind for a goal kick.
But eight minutes later, Mills grabbed his first goal of the game. Following a lengthy spell of possession, Garyn Preen cut into the box and quickly teed up Mills. After creating enough space to get a shot away, his left-footed strike snuck in at the near post.
After a quiet game in front of goal on Saturday for Hereford’s top scorer, he looked certain to grab his second in the 36th minute. After quickly breaking forward, Mills tried a shot from the edge of the box, but it ricocheted off the foot of the upright to prevent a goal.
Goal number three followed, once again courtesy of John Mills. Garyn Preen’s cross couldn’t find a white shirt in the box, as Phil Draycott headed the ball away as far as Jimmy Oates. The Bulls’ captain saw his 20-yard effort parried, but Mills was on hand to smash the ball home.
Before half time, Keyon Reffell had a great chance to make it four, but couldn’t keep his shot down as it went high and wide from 12-yards.
HT: Hereford 3 – St Ives Town 0
The second half got underway with Lance Smith going close, but after beating two St Ives defenders he drilled his shot wide.
Smith was then involved in the build up for Tyrone Duffus’ chance. Afrer making progress down the right wing, the ball was played back to Duffus but he blazed well-over.
In the 63rd minute the Bulls saw their second shot of the evening denied by the woodwork. Garyn Preen’s ambitious effort from range hit the inside of the post, before the ball was cleared off the line by Tom McGowan.
A quieter period followed, with two Hereford subs the only talking point. Garyn Preen and Tryone Duffus made way for Adam Page and Mike Symons.
Symons made an instant impact on the game, adding the fourth goal in the 79th minute. With Symons being closely marked on the left wing, he did well to cut into the box before finding the bottom left-hand corner of Goff’s goal.
The Whites had two late chances, but couldn’t capitalise on them. Deep into stoppage time Keyon Reffell saw a shot whistle past the post, before Bird’s rasping shot was blocked after being set up by Symons.
The Whites had two late chances, but couldn’t capitalise on them. Deep into stoppage time Keyon Reffell saw a shot whistle past the post, before Bird’s rasping shot was blocked after being set up by Symons.
FT: Hereford 4 – St Ives Town 0
Att: 1,705 with nine away
Sponsors’ MotM: Jack Deaman
Hereford: Horsell, Oates (c), Pring, Purdie, O’Shea, Deamna, Preen (Page – 67’), Duffus (Symons – 75’), Mills, Reffell, Smith (Bird – 80’).
Subs not used: Preston, A. Harris.
St Ives: Goff, Smith, Draycott, Ferrell, De’ath (c) (Sawyer – 79’), Moyes, Seymour-Shove (Wright – 83’), McGowan, Hall (Ogbonna – 79’), Clark, Hartley.
Next Game: FA Trophy – Oxford City Away on Saturday 25th November at 3pm