Out of a darkness of a Covid-19 pandemic hit season Josh Gowling and his Hereford side have given fans optimism and something to shout about with an impressive run towards Wembley.
St Neots Town home - Hereford win 3-0
Starting on a cold Tuesday night in December a run in the FA Trophy was the last thing on minds with an ever-growing fixture list and a host of matches to be rearranged.
However, after a disappointing FA Cup defeat at Stafford Rangers earlier in the season Gowling was not going to make the same mistake against a youthful St Neots Town.
The visitors rattled the bar after just 15 seconds and shuck the Bulls into life before a Jamie Grimes header settled any nerves.
Kyle Finn’s deflected shot put the tie out of sight and then Lenell John-Lewis deflected effort sealed the second-round victory.
As it happened: Hereford FC v St Neots Town- FA Trophy live updates
Nantwich Town away - Hereford win 1-0
The first real test would come just days later in the third round with a difficult trip to Nantwich Town in freezing conditions with driving rain.
Not only were the conditions against the Bulls but also a vocal home crowd who got right behind their side.
John-Lewis scored his second Trophy goal within the week to edge the Bulls ahead but the tie was far from done.
In the final minutes Nantwich missed from two yards out and then rattled the bar as Hereford hung on by their fingernails to victory.
A penalty shootout in a hostile Cheshire was the last thing Hereford wanted and they just avoided it pulling through 1-0.
As it happened: Nantwich Town v Hereford FC- FA Trophy- minute by minute updates and scores
Stamford AFC away - Hereford win 2-0
Hereford had to wait exactly a month until their fourth-round tie at Stamford and they had not played for over two weeks after a Covid-enforced break in fixtures followed the festive period.
Stamford were playing for their season after seeing their league suspended the previous month and there was no sign of it re-starting.
Despite the game being played behind ‘closed doors’ on a cold Tuesday night the Stamford directors and volunteers (along with a dog) watching in the stand made it feel like a home game for the Lincolnshire side.
Hereford had no striker, as John-Lewis was unavailable, so Tom Owen-Evans led the line but made it look easy.
A quick break resulted in the 24-year-old sweeping home the open after 11 minutes and the Bulls hardly looked in trouble.
That was until firstly Ben Pollock was shown a straight red, later overturned, and then Ben Haines was also sent to the changing rooms with 15 minutes remaining.
Despite being down to nine-men Gowling’s side showed the best form of defence is attack and instantly hit with Owen-Evans capitalising on a defensive error and firing his side into the fifth round.
Jamie Grimes, despite bemusing having his critics within the home directors, did not put a foot wrong and batted away any threat.
As it happened: Stamford AFC v Hereford FC minute by minute updates
Leamington home - Hereford win 1-0
The fifth round home tie against Leamington will only be remembered for Chris Camwell’s fifth minute direct free-kick as the Bulls held comfortable onto their one-goal lead for the remainder.
As it happened: Hereford FC v Leamington- FA Trophy minute by minute updates
Aldershot away quarter-final - Hereford win 3-5 on penalties after drawing 1-1
Aldershot will be when Hereford fans started to believe that a Wembley final was truly possible this season.
Despite sitting a league above the Bulls and confident of a final appearance themselves the Hampshire club hardly laid a glove on their visitors in the quarter-final tie.
On just his second appearance Michael Bakare fired the Bulls into what looked like the semi-final with a fifth minute strike.
However, as nerves jangled and Aldershot threw everything forward the host eventually bundled the ball home in the third minute of injury time.
Gowling picked his side straight back up for the penalty shootout and whatever he said, with his psychology background, worked a treat.
Not a penalty was out of place and goalkeeper Brandon Hall made a vital save to send his side through.
As it happened: Aldershot Town v Hereford FC - FA Trophy live updates
Woking at home semi-final - Hereford win 1-0
With both sides knowing they were just 90 minutes away from a Wembley final the semi-final tie against Woking was always going to be nerve-racking.
When Moussa Diarra headed just wide early in the tie it was evident that the Bulls were up against the odds against a National League side desperate for a big day out at Wembley.
However, Gowling rallied his boys and Michael Bakare unlocked the defence before Joey Butlin headed home the opener.
Hereford had to defend before the break with Luke Haines making a vital clearance to keep his side's advantage.
However, in the second half Hereford dominated with Lewis Butroid, Owen-Evans and Butlin all going close as the Bulls deserved their Wembley spot.
As it happened: Hereford FC v Woking - FA Trophy minute by minute updates
With almost two months to prepare for the final against Hornchurch both sides will have time to refine their form before the big FA Trophy showcase.
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