United are back in Isuzu FA Trophy action on Saturday afternoon, as they head to Edgar Street to face National League North side Hereford in the competition’s Fourth Round.
Having secured a 2-2 draw in their last outing at home to Eastbourne, tomorrow all thoughts will be on securing a place in the final 16 of non-League football’s premier knockout competition, as the road to a potential Wembley final begins to narrow.
Who’s the Boss?
Paul Caddis was appointed in May last year, with his current role as First Team Manager at Hereford marking the 35-year-old’s first managerial position, having enjoyed coaching roles at the likes of Swindon Town and Fleetwood Town, following his retirement as a player in 2021. At Swindon he was involved in their academy set-up, meanwhile during his time with Fleetwood, Caddis was involved in coaching the club’s international side (FTIFA).
As a player, Caddis began his professional career at Celtic, before also going on to represent Scotland internationally. A defensive midfielder in his playing days, Caddis brought with him versatility and played in a number of roles including right-back and in midfield. His playing career went on to span over 15 years, during which he accumulated over 400 senior appearances for the likes of Swindon Town, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Bury and Dundee.
How have they been doing?
With the geographical split seeing Hereford in the Vanarama National League North, the Bulls currently sit 5th in the league on 43 points, which is made up by 13 wins, 4 draws and 10 defeats. In the Emirates FA Cup the Bulls defeated Anstey Nomads and National League side Rochdale in the qualifying stages, before bowing out in the First Round Proper, where League Two Gillingham ran out 2-0 victors.
Meanwhile in the Isuzu FA Trophy, victories over Redbridge (4-1) and South Park (1-0) set up tomorrow’s Fourth Round tie. It was only in 2021 that the Bulls made the Wembley final, where Hornchurch came from behind to snatch the silverware under the arch where the Bulls had seen the same fate with the FA Vase a few seasons prior. Coming into tomorrow’s fixture, the Bulls will be looking to turn things around, after a 1-1 draw at Gloucester, followed by a 3-0 defeat against Scarborough, put paid to Hereford’s five consecutive wins in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Local lad Andy Williams is one of a select few to play for both variations of his hometown club, scoring 28 goals in 72 appearances for Hereford United between 2004-2007, before his EFL took in the likes of Bristol Rovers, Yeovil, Swindon, Northampton and Cheltenham, with Gulls boss Gary Johnson one of his many managers during that period.
After leaving League Two side Walsall, it was only fitting that the 37 year-old forward returned to the new incarnation of the Edgar Street club, and although a pre-season injury saw his debut delayed until last month, Williams will now be looking to make up for lost time and help steer his The Bulls to promotion back to the fifth tier.
Played for Both
Joint-leading scorer Brad Ash has represented both of tomorrow’s clubs, and is currently level-pegging with strike partner Aaron Jarvis in the race to be Plainmoor’s leading scorer for 2023/24.
Beginning his career at Weston-super-Mare, his form for The Seagulls prompted EFL side Barnsley to sign the Somerset-born striker, before Ash moved on to further his career at Boreham Wood, Hereford, Chippenham and Weymouth, prior to his arrival at Plainmoor last summer.
Previous Encounter
Tomorrow’s meeting marks the first that United will meet the phoenix club Hereford FC, after Hereford United was wound-up in 2014. However Hereford FC was founded the following year, with the Club remaining at their Edgar Street home. The last time United travelled to Edgar Street was in May 2012, with the two teams meeting in League Two for a number of years beforehand.
Hereford United 2-2 Torquay United, 1st January 2011, NPower League Two
Hereford and Torquay battled out a 2-1 draw at Edgar Street on New Year’s Day in 2011. The result saw Torquay fall out of the play-off places, meanwhile, then bottom of the table Hereford earned themselves their first point in five games.
On 25 minutes Eunan O’Kane put United in front – after picking up a loose ball, O’Kane fired home. Ashley Hemmings had a chance to double the advantage, but saw his effort rattle the crossbar. A defensive error enabled the hosts to get themselves back in the game on 32 minutes through Stuart Fleetwood, before Elliot Benyon restored United’s lead on the verge of half-time. Hereford levelled on 66 minutes with a back-heeled effort by Mathieu Manset, with the evenly-battled encounter going on to finish 2-2.
Hereford FC v Torquay United | 13/01/24 3pm KO | Edgar Street