Hereford and Spennymoor began their 2022/23 National League seasons amidst glorious sunshine and with an absorbing 3-3 draw at Edgar Street.
It proved to be a hugely entertaining afternoon in Herefordshire as the two sets of players served up an exhibition of attacking football from a crowd in excess of 2,200.
The hosts took an early lead after Rob Ramshaw’s attempted clearance at the back post found its way into the bottom corner of Max Metcalfe’s goal after great work down the right from Ryan McLean.
However, The Bulls lead was not to last long as Moors recovered their composure quickly and struck back on 24 minutes when a through ball ran kindly into the path of Jordan Thewlis and he rammed an unstoppable effort across the keeper and into the top corner of the net.
Ramshaw looked determined not to let his own goal affect him and he was instrumental in Moors’ second goal. A quick break saw Ramshaw fed in down the right and his low cross found Thewlis at the back post who showed superb composure to take a touch, weave back inside and plant a powerful drive into the net for 2-1.
The goal seemed to knock the home side out of their stride and Moors were on top for much of the remainder of the first half and could quite easily have added to their lead as they forced Hereford into numerous errors.
However, there was a sting in tail as handball was awarded inside a crowded penalty area which allowed home debutant Tyrone Barnett to level things up from the spot right on the stroke of half time.
Barnett turned the encounter on its head minutes after the break after Max Metcalfe brought down a Hereford forward, with the referee Luke Corbett awarding the hosts a second penalty which Barnett tucked away confidently.
The game became scrappy as the second half wore on but Moors continued to throw men forward in search of another equaliser.
Glen Taylor had a shot brilliantly stopped right on the line by home keeper Brad Wade before Moors’ new signing Charlie Watt almost scored with his first touch after being introduced from the bench but The Bulls keeper reacted well to the low drive and blocked with his feet.
Scott Duxbury created a number of chances with his set piece delivery and charging runs from left-back, and the summer arrival’s escapades were rewarded when he assisted Mark Anderson in the 82nd minute who coolly finished from the edge of the area with a cultured side-foot shot.
Both sides finished with a flurry but neither was able to find the winner and a classic affair ended in perhaps the fairest manner – with the points being shared.
Full Time: Hereford 3 Moors 3
Spennymoor Town: Metcalfe, Cousin-Dawson, Tait, Curtis, Duxbury, Wheatley, Ramshaw, Oyibo (Watt 75), Anderson, Thewlis (Chandler 86), Taylor.
Subs not used: Lufudu, Greenfield, Payne.
