Can the Bucks tame the Bulls? It’s a Shropshire vs Herefordshire rivalry renewed on Tuesday, 27th October, with Enterprise National League North points on the line at M&M Edgar Street, with a 7.45 pm kick-off.
Setting the Scene
Hereford’s turnaround has been remarkable compared to last season, thanks to gaffer Aaron Downes, who earned the September Manager of the Month award.
The Bulls finished twentieth last campaign, narrowly avoiding relegation on goal difference, with Curzon Ashton going down on the final day.
Ironically, Hereford may owe their survival to Telford, whose emphatic 8-0 thrashing of Curzon Ashton in January devastated their goal difference. It arguably helped ensure the Bulls retained their place in the division, although that would have been irrelevant if the Bulls hadn't strung together a run of results in the season’s final stretch.
Last Season
The Bucks and the Bulls have met 10 times in the National League North since 2017, plus one Emirates FA Cup meeting in 2017.
Across those 10 league meetings, Telford have won only once, which was last season’s game at the SEAH Stadium. On a cold Tuesday evening in February, Matty Stenson bagged a brace before Jimmy Armson put the cherry on top in the 94th minute, ending the affair 3-0.
Stenson was also on target in the first fixture between the two, which again was in midweek in late October. After Theo Richardson saved an earlier penalty, Stenson redeemed himself by putting the Bucks ahead, but Sam Osborne’s second-half equaliser meant it finished with honours even.
The Bucks haven’t managed to walk out of Edgar Street with all three points since the Bulls returned to Step 2, so they will need to turn the tide of recent history.
Recent Form
The Bulls head the division, with a record of 8 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats from 12 matches.
They also top the division in goals scored (24) and goals conceded (7), for a +17 goal difference.
The Bulls have enjoyed a hugely positive start to the campaign, and their 2-1 success at Macclesfield on Tuesday lifted them above Macc and back into 1st place.
Aaron Skinner converted a penalty after Elliot Osbourne was dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity, putting the Bulls in the driving seat; although Macc levelled, Harrison Iwunze’s ninth of the campaign gave the visitors all three points.
Their home record is very solid, with 4 of their 8 wins coming at home. The Bulls have the joint-best attack in the league so far, with 24 goals scored. Iwunze leads the Bulls’ scoring charts with 9 goals. Billy Phillips is trying to keep pace, with 5 goals, including a hat-trick in a remarkable 6-0 thrashing of South Shields.
The two 20-year-olds pose an obvious threat to the Bucks’ ambitions.
The Bulls also have the best defensive record in the National League North this season with only 7 conceded and 6 clean sheets.
Top Scorers:
Harrison Iwunze - 9
Billy Phillips - 5
Aaron Skinner - 4
Danny Waldron - 2
Preston Bitemo, Cawley Cox - 1 each
Facing the Bucks
Hereford’s squad combines proven National League North experience, promising loan recruits and emerging local talent. In goal, Theo Richardson (1) arrived permanently after a spell with AFC Fylde, having previously impressed at Buxton and King’s Lynn Town, while deputy Ollie Lewis (21) has developed within the Bulls setup as a reliable understudy. At the back, Aaron Skinner (2) arrived at Edgar Street after an outstanding spell at Bamber Bridge, where he was named player of the season, and captain Lewis Hudson (3) joined from Rushall Olympic after several consistent campaigns with the Pics and earlier experience at Redditch United.
Vice-captain Kam Kandola (4) arrived after helping Kidderminster Harriers secure promotion, having graduated through Wolverhampton Wanderers’ academy. Fellow defender Will Merrett (5) joined on loan from Forest Green Rovers after an excellent season with Alvechurch, where he earned the manager’s player of the season award. Midfielder Joe Willis (6) also made the move from Alvechurch, bringing experience gained at Stafford Rangers and Bromsgrove Sporting after emerging through the ranks at Walsall.
The midfield group blends technical quality with energy. Keziah Martin (7) signed permanently after time with Buxton, Boston United and Rushall Olympic, having first joined Hereford on loan. Harry Tustin (8) returns from Cheltenham Town after previously featuring on loan for Salisbury, while Luke Spokes (14) arrives after spells with Weston-super-Mare and Kidderminster Harriers, adding considerable National League North and South experience. Preston Bitemo (20) initially joined from Hinckley AFC but returns after a productive loan at Kettering Town, where he became one of the club’s standout performers. Loan midfielder Kameron Muir (30), another arrival from Notts County, is regarded as one of the League One club’s brightest prospects after becoming their youngest-ever first-team player. Youngsters Jack Tolley (24) and Harry Jones (25) have progressed through Hereford’s own youth system, with Tolley also gaining experience at Hereford Pegasus, while defender Callum Witts (16) joined after developing in Coventry City’s academy before moving out on loan to Coleshill Town for senior football.
In attack, Hereford have a variety of options. Striker Cawley Cox (9) earned his move after prolific spells with local clubs Hereford Pegasus and Westfields, helped Merthyr Town win promotion, and then thrived in National League North. Danny Waldron (10) brings proven goalscoring pedigree, having most recently played for Kidderminster Harriers after earlier spells with Brackley Town, Tamworth, Southend United and Rushall Olympic. Winger Fin Holmes (11) arrives after an outstanding campaign with Halesowen Town, where he contributed heavily with goals and assists after developing through Solihull Moors and loan spells at Bromsgrove Sporting and Stourbridge. Local forward Jordan Williamson (15) steps up after two prolific seasons with Hereford Pegasus, while loanee Liam Roberts (18) joins from Fleetwood Town after gaining first-team exposure and a spell with Waterford in Ireland. Striker Harrison Iwunze (19) arrives on loan from Notts County after appearances in the EFL Trophy and a loan stint at Kettering Town. Defender Joseph James (17), signed from Bristol City following a loan at Bath City, adds further versatility, while midfielder Billy Phillips (23) also arrives from Bristol City after National League South experience with Bath City and Chippenham Town. Finally, experienced centre-back Kyle Howkins (28) remains an important figure after overcoming serious injury setbacks, having previously featured for Newport County, Solihull Moors and several Football League clubs following his development at West Bromwich Albion.
Here’s the Bulls’ starting line-up from last weekend’s 2-1 success at Macclesfield.
GK: Richardson.
D: Skinner, Merrett, Howkins, James.
M: Kandola ©, Tustin, Spokes.
F: Waldron, Phillips, Iwunze.
Subs: Willis, Martin, Cox, Holmes, Roberts, Lewis, Muir.
Colours
Bucks:
Shirt: Black.
Shorts: White
Socks: Black.
Bulls:
Shirt: White.
Shorts: Black
Socks: White.
Match Officials
Referee: Jonathan Bolland.
Assistant Referee: Ashley Foster.
Assistant Referee: Lloyd Kettlety.
Fourth Official: Dale Wootton.
How to Follow
If you can’t be at the game, you can follow the events in several ways.
The Live Game Centre on our smartphone app and website will have live text updates.
Our X feed will also carry text commentary, while our Facebook and Instagram feeds will provide updates on major events, such as team news, goals, the half-time and full-time scores.
If you have the app, you’ll receive notifications of every goal, plus half-time and full-time scores.
Finally, BBC Radio Shropshire will provide live match commentary on DAB and on the Sounds app.
With plenty of options, you can follow the Bucks even when you can’t be there.