The Bulls are on the road again this weekend as they travel up to Merseyside to take on Southport with both teams hoping to return to winning ways.
Hereford will be looking to bounce back from a frustrating 1-1 draw on Tuesday night at home to Peterborough Sports.
Paul Caddis’ side took the lead in the 23rd minute through Montel Gibson but failed to grab the second before Dion Sembie-Ferris equalised for the Turbines just past the hour mark.
“Yeah not happy with the game at all. I thought first half we controlled the game but second half they got that one opportunity they were waiting for and they scored it, then from there we just lost control, we got nervous in possession,” said the Hereford manager.
Southport are also coming off the back of a disappointing result after they lost 2-0 away to Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night.
The loss stunted what had been a positive start to the season for Jim Bentley’s side with the first two games of the season heralding wins against Alfreton and Needham Market.
Last season was a tough one for the Port with a 17th-placed finish, just six points above the relegation zone.
The Bulls will be wishing for a repeat of last season’s game between these two sides at Haig Avenue where Caddis’ side ran out 2-1 winners with the goals coming from Kieran Phillips and an own goal.
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.
Aaron Skinner, who is recovering from a hamstring tear, was on the bench again against Peterborough Sports but did not feature as he continues to build his match sharpness.
Cosmos Matwasa returned to action on Tuesday night after missing out on the opening game against South Shields through injury and not featuring against Chorley, coming on for the final 20 minutes.
Matt Preston was taken off in the 68th minute against Peterborough Sports with a tight groin according to Caddis.
Goal scorer Gibson was also subbed off due to fatigue from a lack of pre-season action.
Caddis also added that a few other players had received “bumps and bruises” and would be monitored in training on Thursday ahead of Saturday.
24/25 Form
HEREFORD:
3-0 (H) South Shields 10/08/24 (Gibson x1, Williams x1 and Ceesay x1)
1-1 (A) Chorley 17/08/24 (Rose x1)
1-1 (H) Peterborough Sports 20/08/24 (Gibson x1)
SOUTHPORT:
3-1 (H) Alfreton Town 10/08/24 (Daniel Philliskirk x2 and Tom Moore x1)
1-2 (A) Needham Market 17/08/24 (Danny Lloyd-McGoldrick x1, Jamie Proctor x1)
2-0 (A) Spennymoor Town 20/08/24
Ones to Watch
Alex Babos (HEREFORD):
The Welshman is a fan favourite at Edgar Street after scoring 10 goals and picking up four assists in the league last season. Babos has also started this campaign well with an assist in both home games so far. The Derby County academy graduate will be hoping to score his first of the season this Saturday.
Marcus Carver (SOUTHPORT):
Hereford fans will know all about Carver after he scored in both fixtures against the Bulls last season. The striker was on loan at Southport from Scunthorpe last campaign but signed permanently in the summer after his 12 league goals helped the Port stay up. Carver will be hoping to repeat his form against Hereford last season to get his first goal of the season.
Head-2-Head:
Southport 1-2 Hereford (National League North) 24/02/2024
Hereford 0-1 Southport (National League North) 02/09/2023
Southport 0-1 Hereford (National League North) 25/02/2023
Hereford 2-0 Southport (National League North) 07/02/2023
Hereford 0-1 Southport (National League North) 26/02/2022
