On November 3, 2012, Hereford United faced Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup First Round at Edgar Street. In a tightly contested match, Hereford United secured a 3-1 victory, causing an upset against their higher-league opponents.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Hereford United: 3 (Ryan Bowman 5′, Marlon Jackson 23′, Ryan Bowman 76′)
- Shrewsbury Town: 1 (Luke Summerfield 90+1′)
- Possession:
- Shrewsbury Town had 60% possession, while Hereford United had 40%. Despite Shrewsbury’s control of possession, Hereford’s effectiveness on the counter-attack and solid defending allowed them to secure the victory.
- Shots:
- Hereford United registered 9 shots, with 5 on target, demonstrating their efficiency in front of goal. Shrewsbury Town had 12 shots, with 4 on target, reflecting their struggles to convert possession into clear chances.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Shrewsbury Town displayed a passing accuracy of 80%, completing 350 passes out of 438 attempts. Hereford United had a passing accuracy of 65%, completing 160 passes out of 245 attempts. While Shrewsbury controlled the midfield, Hereford’s direct approach paid off with crucial goals at key moments.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Hereford United made 22 tackles compared to Shrewsbury’s 14, highlighting their commitment to disrupting Shrewsbury’s play and protecting their lead. Hereford’s defense was well-organized, especially in dealing with set pieces and crosses.
- Set Pieces:
- The goals came from open play for Hereford United, with Ryan Bowman scoring twice and Marlon Jackson adding another. Shrewsbury Town’s only goal came in stoppage time from Luke Summerfield, but it was too little, too late.
- Individual Performances:
- Ryan Bowman was the standout player for Hereford United, scoring two goals, including the crucial third goal that secured the win. Marlon Jackson was also influential, scoring the second goal and providing a constant threat with his pace. For Shrewsbury Town, Luke Summerfield’s late goal was the only highlight in an otherwise frustrating afternoon.
- Tactical Overview:
- Hereford United employed a 4-4-2 formation, focusing on a solid defensive structure and quick counter-attacks. Shrewsbury Town used a 4-3-3 formation, aiming to control the midfield and dominate possession, but they struggled to break down Hereford’s well-drilled defense.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw three yellow cards, two for Hereford United (Chris Carruthers 28′, Stefan Stam 65′) and one for Shrewsbury Town (Terry Gornell 43′). The fouls were tactical, aimed at stopping counter-attacks and breaking up play.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Shrewsbury Town won 7 corners compared to Hereford’s 3, reflecting their territorial advantage. However, Hereford defended set pieces well, limiting Shrewsbury’s chances from these opportunities. Hereford were caught offside twice, while Shrewsbury had one offside call, indicating Hereford’s focus on quick, direct attacks.
Summary
Hereford United’s 3-1 victory over Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup First Round was a significant upset, as the lower-league side capitalized on their chances and defended resolutely against their League One opponents. Ryan Bowman was the hero for Hereford, scoring twice, with Marlon Jackson also getting on the scoresheet. Despite Shrewsbury’s dominance in possession and attempts to control the game, they were unable to break down Hereford’s disciplined defense and were punished on the counter-attack.
Shrewsbury’s late goal from Luke Summerfield was merely a consolation, as Hereford had already done enough to secure their place in the next round. The win was a proud moment for Hereford United and their fans, highlighting the magic of the FA Cup, where lower-league teams often rise to the occasion and achieve memorable victories against stronger opposition.
