The Bulls return to FA Cup action on Saturday as they travel to Hertfordshire to take on Bishop’s Stortford in the third qualifying round.
Hereford will be looking to return to winning ways after a 0-0 draw last Saturday in the league at home to King’s Lynn.
Paul Caddis’ side found it tough in the last round with a 1-1 draw against Ilkeston Town before beating them 1-0 in the replay.
“We knew it would be a difficult game but the main thing about the cup is getting to the next round,” said Hereford assistant manager Adam Rooney.
Bishop’s Stortford will also be hoping to find their form again after losing 2-1 at home to Biggleswade Town on Tuesday night.
The Blues compete in the Southern Premier Division Central, just one league below the Bulls and currently sit in eighth, with four wins, two draws and three losses so far.
The side from Hertfordshire cruised through the first qualifying round with a 5-0 win at home to Cornard United.
Steve Castle’s side will be familiar to Hereford fans as they finished bottom of the National League North last season on 21 points, 33 off safety.
Caddis’ side took on Bishop’s Stortford twice last season with a 1-0 win in both with Yusifu Ceesay scoring the two winners, the Bulls faithful will be hoping for a repeat to get their side into the fourth qualifying round.
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 and he has unfortunately suffered a setback.
Aaron Skinner has been for an X-ray for a possible fracture in the ankle and will be out for at least a month.
Alex Babos fell awkwardly in the replay against Ilkeston Town which caused his arm to swell, this led to him missing the King’s Lynn game but a date for his return is not yet known.
Preston Bitemo has suffered a suspected stress fracture, and if that is the case, will likely be out for some time.
Caddis revealed in the update that he provided for the fans on Monday that the squad currently stands at 16 fit players.
Last 5
HEREFORD:
0-1 (H) Needham Market 03/09/24
0-0 (A) Spennymoor 07/09/24
1-1 (H) Ilkeston Town FA CUP 14/09/24 (Ceesay x1)
0-1 (A) Ilkeston Town FA CUP 17/09/24 (Rooney x1)
0-0 (H) King’s Lynn 21/09/24
BISHOP’S STORTFORD:
1-0 (H) St Ives Town 07/09/24 (Mark Haines x1)
1-2 (A) Hitchin Town 10/09/24 (Bradley Russell x1, Ryan Charles x1)
0-1 (A) Hemel Hempstead FA CUP 14/09/24 (Fabio Virciglio x1)
3-1 (H) Stourbridge 21/09/24 (Kian Harness x1, Charlie Castle x1, Rashawn Scott x1)
1-2 (H) Biggleswade Town 24/09/24 (Jack Roberts x1)
One to Watch
Jack Roberts (BISHOP’S STORTFORD):
Roberts has started this season in good form with three goals in the first nine league games, with his most recent coming in Tuesday night’s defeat against Biggleswade Town. The Rangers academy graduate arrived from Braintree in the summer and Castle will be hoping his forward can continue his goalscoring form on Saturday.
Head-2-Head
Bishop’s Stortford 0-1 Hereford (National League North) 16/12/23
Hereford 1-0 Bishop’s Stortford (National League North) 23/09/23
Bishop’s Stortford 0-1 Hereford (Southern Premier Division) 14/04/18
Hereford 2-0 Bishop’s Stortford (Southern Premier Division) 06/02/18
