Recap: Hereford 0-1 Harriers

---

THERE was Boxing Day delight for Harriers, as they ran out 1-0 winners against Hereford at Edgar Street.

Emeka Obi’s third goal of the season early in the first half proved to be the winner, as both sides battled on derby day.

After a quiet opening to proceedings, Harriers first chance of the half came on 9 minutes, when a left footed in-swinger from Owen Evans was met by Emeka Obi at the far-post, but his first time strike went high and wide.

Moments later, it was the same man who went on to establish the lead for Reds. From a free-kick just beyond halfway, Joe Foulkes’ ball into the box was glanced into the path of Obi, who was able to slot home to make it 1-0.

The hosts looked to find target man Andy Williams with a dangerous cross from the right minutes later, but this was carefully watched, and dealt with by Christian Dibble. The Bulls first real chance of the game came on 22 minutes, when Skipper Lewis Hudson drove into the left corner of the box, but could only unleash a low strike wide of target.

In the 28th minute a long ball forward was chased down by Harley Hamilton, who drove centrally towards the Harriers box, before seeing his strike deflect wide. From the resulting corner, Lawson D’Ath’s cross was met by Hudson at the far-post, but his effort was blocked at close quarters.

Harriers continued to absorb some pressure from the hosts, Hamilton again keeping the Harriers backline busy when he saw a strike deflect agonisingly wide of the left hand post. Moments later, Hereford’s number 24 skipped into the box, but was intercepted by Evans, who was able to block a low cross to deny the arriving white shirts.

Just before the interval, Harriers were nearly caught off guard, when a free-kick, quickly taken by D’Ath inside the Reds half, saw Hamilton through, before Evans was again able to intervene and get the ball back to Dibble, who was then able to clear.

Down the other end, a half cleared corner made its way to Charlie Cooper just outside the Hereford box, whose first-time volley dipped just over the bar, before the final chance of the opening 45 fell to Harriers. Evans skipped down the left flank before feeding Devine, whose slightly overhit cross fell to David Davis, who opted to play Foulkes down the right, where the latter cut inside the box, before a cross-shot was deflected wide.

There were chances for both sides early on in the second half. Obi blocked a dangerous pass from reaching the feet of Williams, before a curling free-kick from Evans just outside the right side of the Hereford box had to be punched clear by Richardson.

Harriers were nearly caught out on the counter after a blocked free-kick made its way to Williams just past halfway releasing the experienced forward, before Evans made a crucial interception in the Harriers box, to deny the hosts a goalscoring opportunity.

It looked as if Harriers were set to double the advantage on 64 minutes, when a dangerous cross by Foulkes fell for Reece Devine at the far-post, but his effort was blocked at point blank range. Twenty minutes later, Evans curled a free-kick just wide.

Harriers were forced to defend late on, as the home side forced a number of corners. In stoppage time, Aaron Skinner saw a shot blocked, before the ball was recycled to Williams, who fired over.

Get full team line-ups, live match data and tons more by using the FREE official club app.

---

---