It was opening day delight for Moors as they overcame Hereford to claim a convincing victory against The Bulls at The Brewery Field.
Two first half goals, courtesy of Glen Taylor and Dan Rowe, were enough to secure all three points for Moors. A well taken strike from Taylor opened the scoring, before Rowe’s smart finish doubled the advantage.
Hereford actually found the back of the net in the opening five minutes, as a Bulls man tucked home into the bottom right corner. However, the referee had already given a foul Moors’ way.
The visitors continued to come forward, this time through Sam Osborne, who tried his luck from 25 yards out, but his effort found the arms of Brad James, who comfortably claimed the ball.
Moors went close at the other end on the 16th minute, as Matty Dolan’s freekick had to be tipped wide of the post by Theo Richardson in the Hereford net.
Another set piece saw Graeme Lee’s side go close again just 10 minutes later. Rob Ramshaw’s flicked header from Dolan’s in-swinging corner was well tipped over by Richardson.
Ben Pollock was up from the back to navigate a headed effort goalwards on the half hour mark, but Richardson was yet again alert to the danger.
Moors did break the deadlock with just nine minutes of the first half remaining, and who else but Taylor to open the scoring. The big number 9 got on the end of a brilliant channel ball from Mackenzie Heaney, before driving forward and slamming home from inside the penalty area.
Both sides went on to have half chances, first through Osborne as he smashed a 25-yard effort into the hands of James, before Olly Dyson cleared the stand with his ambitious 30-yard strike.
Gary Madine almost got himself a goal on his competitive debut for Moors after smart dummy play from Ramshaw. However, Richardson did well to readjust himself and clear away from danger.
Moors managed to grab a second on the stroke of half time through defender Rowe. The number 5 profited from a moment of indecision in the penalty area, before placing a smart effort into the bottom right corner of Richardson’s goal.
The hosts kicked off the second half similarly to how they ended the first, as Corey McKeown drove forward and lashed an effort that was deflected just wide of the mark.
Pollock was involved again as he hooked an effort just over the bar on the 66th minutes, before Dolan’s free kick almost forced an own goal just four minutes later.
The Bulls looked to get back into the game as the clock began to wind down, as captain, Aaron Skinner clipped a ball into the area, which met Eno Nto, whose header went just over the bar.
Hereford got an inviting ball into the box towards Madou Cisse at the back post, but he just couldn’t get the vital touch to prod home for the visitors.
Moors finished the fixture the stronger of the two sides as a great move almost saw Graeme Lee’s side find a third.
A quick move to clear the ball found Taylor on the halfway line. The captain slipped Ramshaw in behind the defence, before the number 10 then played the ball across to substitute Junior Mondal. However, Mondal dragged his strike just wide of the mark.
A positive start to the new season, as focus now shifts to next Saturday’s visit to Radcliffe.
Full Time: Moors 2 Hereford 0
Moors: James, Rowe, Pollock, Beals; McKeown (Salkeld 78), Dyson, Dolan, Heaney, Taylor, Madine (Mondal 59).
Subs not used: Barron, Hancox, Doherty, Ledger, Hill.
Booked: Dolan (56)
Hereford: Richardson, Quansah, Howkins, Roberts, Nto (Williams 78), Mafuta, Richards, Skinner (Hudson 80), Sterling-James (Edwards 57), Osborne (Cisse 78), Campbell.
Subs not used: Lewis, Bitemo.
Booked: Skinner (61), Richards (69)
Referee: Ben Tomlinson
Attendance: 1,296
Written by Noah Betts
