City foiled as Hereford hold out

City's unbeaten JPL league run was halted at Hereford but a strong Q4 showing should provide the visitors with much encouragement for a quick return to winning ways.

On a rain-soaked morning that provided plenty of talking points - five yellow cards and a red one, a penalty shout given and one not - City were edged out 3-2 and probably can't quite believe how they didn't return home with at least a share of the spoils - especially after laying siege to the home goal in the final quarter.

Hereford enjoyed the better of the second and third quarters but were indebted to their keeper who made two outstanding saves in an exciting conclusion.

Despite falling behind, City got the better of Q1 and went into the first break with a 2-1 advantage. Hereford went ahead after rolling a free-kick through the visiting defence where a blindside run wasn't picked up but the lead was short-lived as within minutes, Billy Owen worked himself some space and shot over the keeper, who moments later, was fortunate to see his clearance bounce off Harry Rebbeck and narrowly wide.

At the other end, Josh Reed-Jones was at full stretch to divert a shot around the post before City neatly moved the ball from back to front with Guy Collett putting Will Cottell through on goal to slot home.

The hosts came out firing in Q2 and were twice thwarted by excellent goal-line clearances by right-back Callum Morris. They did net the equaliser that their pressure deserved when they pounced on a goal-kick to cross and score.

Reed-Jones made several decent saves including a point-blank block after the referee ignored the linesman's flag. However another one-on-one break resulted in the Hereford player being brought down and a penalty awarded, which was tucked away.

The final quarter saw City give it a real good go to get back in the game. A Collett free-kick appeared to be sailing in only for the keeper to claw it away from under the bar and then react superbly to block Rebbeck as he seemed certain to net the rebound.

He then stretched like elastic to tip another long-range Collett effort onto the post. Defender Alex Fenn shot inches over when left unmarked at the resulting corner - City then having a strong penalty appeal for a push turned down at another corner.

In a frenetic finale, City did have the ball in the net only for the referee to pull the game back for a foul in the build-up that resulted in a red card for the Hereford player.

The home side managed to hold out for the final few seconds to clinch the narrow win but credit to both teams for a thrilling fixture in difficult conditions.

Up next for City are Gloucester City for the third time in recent months and a chance to gain revenge for previous defeats in a pre-season friendly and JPL Cup match.