Hereford v AFC Telford: Bucks aim to stay on road to play-offs

But Gavin Cowan and Co are determined to make sure that this time around, it will end up being another obstacle overcome in their play-off pursuit, writes Joe Edwards.

When the Bucks went to Hereford last season, fans were similarly full of hope.

Telford had beaten Barwell, Stafford Rangers (with a replay) and National League North rivals FC United of Manchester en route to an FA Cup first-round clash with the Bulls.

It was a huge opportunity to go a step further in the historic competition and perhaps set up a tie with a Football League side, but the chance passed the Bucks by.

Succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Hereford, who at the time played one step below in the Southern Premier, was a mighty blow – one you could say Rob Edwards’ team never really recovered from.

But having regained their mojo under the guidance of Cowan, whose excellent work has recently been rewarded with a new two-year deal, Telford are keen to make up for that – and display how far they have come this term in front of what is expected to be a sizeable crowd.

They are heading into the encounter in fine fettle too.

The Bucks are seventh, the final play-off berth, and three points clear of nearest challengers Blyth Spartans after a 3-1 victory over Curzon Ashton at the New Bucks Head last weekend.

That made it five games unbeaten – the others being 1-1 draws with Blyth, Chorley and Altrincham after a 2-1 win at Bradford Park Avenue – and an unlikely hero gave his chance of starting this match a big boost.

Left wing-back Steph Morley chipped in with a fantastic free-kick and a superb strike, in the space of two first-half minutes, to put Telford on course for three points before Andre Brown made sure of them in the second period.

Brown is another who will fancy his chances of being in the starting XI for this one. Mainly a bit-part player for the first half of the season, the speedy striker has risen to prominence over the past few weeks and netted in back-to-back games.

Skipper Shane Sutton should be at the heart of the defence, just as he was for the Cup defeat at Edgar Street in November 2017.

Naturally, Hereford will have evolved since then, just as the Bucks have, but Sutton has first-hand experience of the noise the home fans can make, so will know not to take this test lightly.

The others who played for Telford that day and could be involved again are Jon Royle and Marcus Dinanga.

Royle’s sending-off actually turned the game in the Bulls’ favour, so will be looking to keep his cool if given the nod in midfield.

He is likely to be in there as vice-skipper Ellis Deeney is serving a three-match ban for a red card picked up at Chorley, which was unsuccessfully appealed by the Bucks.

Dinanga will probably have to make do with a place on the bench due to the form of Brown, Daniel Udoh and Amari Morgan-Smith, who could even get the nod ahead of Brown due to his aerial ability, but has the ability to unsettle the Hereford backline if he comes on.

Likely XI (3-5-2): Bursik; Streete, Sutton, White; Barnett, Royle, McQuilkin, Knights, Morley; Brown, Udoh

Prediction: Away win