The Bulls get their FA Cup journey up and running on Saturday as they host Ilkeston Town in the second qualifying round.
Hereford will be looking to return to winning ways after a 0-0 draw away to Spennymoor last weekend, which followed a 0-1 loss at home to Needham Market.
Paul Caddis will be looking for a repeat of last season’s cup run which saw his side beat Anstey Nomads, Cambridge City and National League side Rochdale in the qualifying rounds before hosting League Two Gillingham in the first round proper.
“Last year our home form went through a bad spell and then we won in the cup and that ignited us, so we will be looking to do the same again this year,” said Caddis.
Ilkeston will also be hoping to find their form again after losing 2-0 away to Worksop on Tuesday night, following an emphatic 5-1 win over Whitby.
The Robins compete in the Northern Premier League, just one league below the Bulls and currently sit in eighth, with three wins, the same number of draws and two losses so far.
Ian Deakin’s side finished 11th in the league last season and will potentially have aspirations of promotion to the National League North next year.
“We know it’s going to be tough, they’re the level below us but they’ve got a really good squad and it will be a test for us,” explained Caddis.
Unlike Hereford, Ilkeston have already played in the FA Cup this year after they beat Heanor Town 1-0 in the first qualifying round.
The Bulls faithful will be hoping that their side can get a good cup run up and going this Saturday.
Team News
HEREFORD:
Jason Cowley continues to be absent from the squad after picking up an injury in the pre-season friendly against Halesowen Town, but he is progressing well.
Kyle Howkins was absent from the two previous matchday squads after picking up an adductor injury.
Alex Babos was unavailable for selection last Saturday due to something going on at home, Caddis explained.
The Hereford manager also revealed that a few of the players are nursing some bumps and bruises, but he is hopeful that no mid-week action can give them more time to recover.
24/25 Form
HEREFORD:
1-4 (A) Southport 24/08/24 (Hudson x1, Babos x2, Williams x1)
3-3 (H) Radcliffe 26/08/24 (OG x1, Skinner x1, Campbell x1)
1-2 (A) Brackley 31/08/24 (Babos x1, Campbell x1)
0-1 (H) Needham Market 03/09/24
0-0 (A) Spennymoor 07/09/24
ILKESTON TOWN:
2-1 (H) Bamber Bridge 24/08/24 (Cursons x2)
2-1 (A) Basford United 26/08/24 (Cursons x1)
0-1 (A) Heanor Town FA CUP 31/08/24 (L’Varn Brandy x1)
5-1 (H) Whitby 07/09/24 (Jamie Walker x2, Cursons x2, Harvey Kirby-Moore x1)
2-0 (A) Worksop 10/09/24
One to Watch
Tom Cursons (ILKESTON TOWN):
The forward has started this season in absolutely scintillating form with eight goals in the first eight league games. Cursons is a tall striker who is certainly a handful, combine that with the form he is in and he is sure to cause the Hereford defenders some problems on Saturday.
