Hereford 2
(Pugh 18′, Ceesay 37′ pen)
United 0
United’s FA Trophy run came to an end on Saturday, as Hereford ran out winners at Edgar Street.
A first-half double strike from Tom Pugh and Yusifu Ceesay – the latter via the penalty spot – put The Bulls in charge, and that was the way it stayed.
Boss Gary Johnson made one enforced change to the starting line-up to the side that drew 2-2 with Eastbourne last time out, with cup-tied Ethon Archer replaced by new signing Duane Ofori-Acheampong.
Sadly, Duane’s return lasted only a few minutes, as an injury forced an almost immediate withdrawal, with Dan Martin taking his place.
The home side were celebrating after nine minutes, however an Assistant’s flag rightly intervened, with Ceesay unable to keep the ball in ball before squaring for Aurio Teixeira to slot home from point-blank range.
Ceesay was proving a real thorn in United’s side and after weaving his way into the box to force a fine save from Mark Halstead in the 17th minute, a minute later he provided the impetus for the opening The Bulls sought.
With his trickery winning a central free-kick 22 yards from goal, Pugh duly delivered, with a finely placed shot that dipped under the crossbar, just outside of Halstead’s reach.
Osman Foyo attempted an instant leveller at the other end, however on this occasion, home goalkeeper Curtis Pond gathered his low drive with minimum the amount of fuss.
It was hard to deny the home side weren’t having the better of the first-half, and in the 37th minute, Hereford doubled their advantage.
Lassana Mendes initially looked to have lost control of the ball inside the box, however after showing persistence, Archie Harris was forced to intervene, and with the referee judging his challenge to be a mistimed one, dangerman Ceesay stepped up to send the ball low past Halstead’s left hand to make it 2-0 in the 37th minute.
United were unable to make any in-roads into that deficit before the break.
United would have been looking to make a swift start to the second period, however the stop-start nature of proceedings put a stop to that.
A couple of early corners for The Gulls gave Johnson’s side some hope, however Dean Moxey’s shot over the crossbar just short of the hour-mark was the nearest they came to reducing the deficit.
Their opponents remained a threat on the break, and Mendes nearly extended Hereford’s advantage shortly after, with the attacker setting himself up for a right foot volley across goal that went wide of Halstead’s left post.
As much as The Gulls tried, they struggled to create much in the way of clear-cut openings, with a long-range effort from Asa Hall on 75 minutes the closest they came to scoring, however the ball dipped wide of Pond’s post.
With nine minutes remaining, Brett McGavin attempted another spectacular effort, but this time, his 30-yard free-kick was comfortably saved by Pond.
Ross Marshall – up in attack as an emergency forward, nearly brought some joy to another tremendous showing from the traveling Yellow Army with four minutes left, however his shot from the edge of the box was deflected just past the post.
With the final whistle signalling United’s Trophy was over for another campaign, all thoughts until the end of the 2023/24 campaign will now remain firmly focused on the main prize – securing promotion back to the National League.
HEREFORD FC: 1. Curtis Pond, 2. Aaron Skinner, 4. Aurio Teizeira, 7. Yuifu Ceesay (31. Arwyn Walby, 90+1′), 15. Tom Pugh, 17. Tope Obedeyi (16. Jack Tolley, 76′), 20. Lassana Mendes, 21. Ollie Southern, 22. Adam Rooney, 27. Nathan Cameron, 28. Kyle Howkins (3. Adam Livingstone, 45′).
SUBS NOT USED: 12. Shay Sterry, 14. Mark Derricott.
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead, 6. Ross Marshall , 10. Lewis Collins (24. Calum Thomas, 65′), 14. Brett McGavin, 17. Dillon De Silva, 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 19. Duane Ofori-Acheampong (3. Dan Martin, 6′), 21. Dean Moxey (c), 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 26. Archie Harris, 32. Osman Foyo (8. Asa Hall, 51′).
SUBS NOT USED: 22. Rhys Lovett, 35. Thomas Chastey.
Yellow Card: Foyo 26′
Attendance: 2,264 (267 away)