Pic: Stephen Niblett
By David Richardson
HEREFORD manager Peter Beadle saw his side’s 27-game winning run end last Saturday – but says it was a point gained after being held by Alvechurch.
The Midland Football League has resembled a china shop for the smashing Bulls this season – they’ve scored 80 goals and sit 12 points clear – but were denied a 28th consecutive win by second-place Church, in front of over 4,000 at Edgar Street.
Hereford were on course to make it 19 league wins in a row after Ryan Green put them ahead in the sixth minute, until ex-England C striker Nick Wright equalised for Alvechurch ten minutes into the second half.
Beadle rightly remained positive, though, with his side full of confidence following a remarkable winning run, their last defeat coming way back in August.
Better
He told The NLP: “It was a good point, against a good Alvechurch side. We played well but it didn’t quite go our way, we know we can play better than we did.
“It was one of those days and we’re disappointed not to extend the winning run but it wasn’t all about that – the run always had to end at some point. It wasn’t a distraction because we always look to win every game, unfortunately we didn’t manage it today.”
Alvechurch have four games in hand on Hereford and the Bulls travel to Hartley Wintney on Saturday in the FA Vase last 16. However, this isn’t a worry for Beadle, who prefers the points on the board.
“We’re exactly where we were at the beginning of play,” said the ex-Bristol Rovers and City player. “We’re still 12 points ahead, so it’s a better result for us than it is for them. They’ve got the games in hand but we still have to go there and play them.
“Alvechurch are on a good run like us and they’ll be capable of keeping that going. We just need to worry about what we’re doing, keep being positive and trying to win.”
Hereford broke the division’s crowd record in December with 4,381 turning out for their Boxing Day clash against Westfields – and for the third time this season over 4,000 came through the turnstiles.
“It is incredible support,” said Beadle. “Even more so when you consider it’s for a fixture at Step 5. It’s great to have a crowd of that size behind you.”
*This article was first published in The Non-League Paper on Sunday, January 24
