Boro earn 2-1 victory on the road against Hereford

Playing at The Valley Stadium in Redditch due to ongoing pitch issues at the Bulls Edgar Street home ground, Boro were unchanged for the game and quickly adjusted to the 3G surface.

The first chance fell to Kieran Weledji, who sent in a driven cross that was well held low down by Hereford keeper Theo Richardson.

Shortly afterwards Rio Allan advanced down the right before picking out Steve Walker, who saw his effort well blocked, with Dom Tear unable to get the final touch to send it back towards goal.

Harry Green then came close at the back post as a looping cross from the right nearly found the winger, before he recovered possession to send an effort towards goal but ultimately lacking the power to beat the keeper.

Given this early pressure, it wasn’t a surprise when Boro took the lead on 21 minutes, but the method of scoring certainly was!

A cluster of players waited in the six-yard box for a Rio Allan corner to be delivered from out on the right. When it was zipped in, the corner flew over everyone, including the backpedalling Bulls keeper Theo Richardson, to nestle in the back of the net.

But Boro failed to build on this good fortune, with the home side missing a fantastic opportunity to level the scores shortly afterwards. After good work by George Munday down the right flank, a low ball across saw Hereford striker Andy Williams left unmarked just six yards out, but the forward fluffed his lines and could only fire well over on the half-volley.

This was followed by Munday having a go himself, nodding just over, before a defensive block by Will Thornton denied the winger once again.

With the game edging towards the break and a chance for the fans to shelter from the steady rain, Boro struck a decisive blow on 40 minutes.

Alex Brown nicked the ball back high up the field, steadying himself out on the left before sending over an inch-perfect ball for Steve Walker to calmly stroke in his 14th goal of the season and leave the hosts shell-shocked.

Despite this setback, the deficit should have been cut in half by Hereford shortly after play resumed, as a free kick from recent loan signing Harry Tustin presented a free header to Harley Hamilton but it drifted off target, much to the anguish of the home support.

Hereford seemed buoyed by the words of new manager Aaron Downes and noticeably upped the tempo to keep the pressure on the Boro backline during the second half, with striker Williams finding the side netting from a narrow angle after good work by Cormac Daly.

Despite being under pressure, Jono Greening’s side were still creating chances.

On the hour mark an Alex Purver corner found Will Thornton rising highest at the back post to nod just wide of the target.

Dom Tear also came close, gliding into a yard of space on the edge of the area before arching his effort just over the bar.

Boro were looking to see the game out, but the home pressure finally paid off in added time, as a Justin Donova free-kick was headed back across goal by Keenan Quansah for defender Lewis Hudson to force the ball in from close range and set up a nervy finale.

But Boro saw out the closing moments to clinch the victory, and stretch their unbeaten run to six games.

Hereford FC: T. Richardson, A. Skinner, K. Quansah, M. Preston (K. Howkins), F. Wilcox, L. Hudson, H. Hamilton (K. Martin), H, Tustin, C. Daly, A. Williams (A. Rooney), G. Munday (J. Donawa). Unused Subs: O. Lewis, L. D’Ath.

Goal: Hudson (90’+3).

Scarborough Athletic: R. Whitley, K. Weledji (M. Duckworth), W. Thornton, R. Allan (R. Bennett), A. Purver, S. Walker (L. Colville), H. Green (T. Chapman), D. Tear (P. Thomas), A. Brown, J. Waldron, J. Hull. Unused Sub: L. Gibson_Booth.

Goals: Allan (20’) and Walker (40’).

Attendance: 964.

Boro MOM: Alex Purver.