Hereford FC Women’s team narrowly beat Bartestree Ladies 1-0 in the Midwest Counties Female Football League match at Old School Lane.
After a morning pitch inspection cleared the match to go ahead, coach Ben Archer restored the fit-again Katie Barr and Ana Moreira to the starting XI.
The visitors opted to man-mark top scorer Roxana Dinescu who, after an even opening 20 minutes, broke free of her marker briefly midway through the first half, chipping a loose ball first time goalwards but wide of the post.
A few minutes later Megan Holman was denied a certain goal by a last-ditch tackle after Elcox-Bond and Evie Jones had combined down the right to set up the chance. The visitors had a late chance after the wind caused a defensive mix-up, but the snatched effort went wide.
In the second half, the visitors tired as their lack of numbers on the bench showed. A Bulls goal seemed inevitable with Lauren Brown pushed further up field, helping Dinescu and Holman to come close before a heavy rain shower made conditions even worse in the final 15 minutes.
Dinescu again saw a great chance blazed over before a neat turning volley from Ana Varela went just wide. It was Elcox-Bond who finally opened the scoring with just four minutes left, rifling the ball goalwards with the visiting keeper unable to stop the effort from finding the net.
Rhian James then had a quick chance to extend the lead straight after but her shot, with the visitors deflated after the late goal, went narrowly wide.
It was a hard earned three points in tough conditions against an opposition that didn’t stop battling despite their limited personnel.
They now face Albrighton next Sunday in the League’s Cup competition at Old School Lane.
HEREFORD | Reed, Francis, Lewis, Barr, Parfitt, Sullivan, E.Jones, Moreira, Dinescu, Elcox-Bond, Holman.
SUBS | Varela, Brown, James, T.Jones, Layton
Article from https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/academy-womens-team-return-to-winning-ways/
