HEREFORD FC returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Anstey Nomads at Edgar Street to reach the FA Cup third qualifying round.
New signing Yusifu Ceesay came straight into Paul Caddis’ starting side and took just six minutes to net the opener. As nerves started to mount Lassana Mendes secured the win with a second goal in second half injury time.
The Nomads ply their trade two tiers down from Hereford in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division and were looking to cause a trademark FA Cup upset.
Ceesay got off the mark in a Hereford shirt on six minutes when Adam Rooney slid a ball through to the former Blackpool winger, who proceeded to curl the ball into the net.
The visitors were close to finding a response on 21 minutes when Nyle Blake found Corey Armeni inside the box, but Curtis Pond was quick off his line to narrow down the angle.
There was an opportunity for Hereford to add a second goal in the 26th minute when Rooney headed down Aurio Teixeira’s chipped cross to Alex Babos, but the midfielder could only blaze over the Meadow End.
The Nomads started the second half brightly and captain Henry Bestwick found himself bearing down on goal in the 56th minute after picking the pocket of Teixeira, but with little support around, the midfielder fired a long range effort over the bar.
Connor Stanley went close for the Bulls in the 73rd minute when the winger found space on the edge of the box to bend a curling effort towards goal, clipping the top of the crossbar with goalkeeper Conrad Logan beaten.
With the clock ticking down, the Nomads chances’ of finding an equaliser were dealt a blow in the 89th minute when Jordan Annable was shown a second yellow card for a blatant pull on Koby Arthur’s shirt.
Former Hibernian goalkeeper Logan would continue to keep his side in the game, making a brilliant reaction save to deny Arthur from close range.
Hereford landed decisive blow in the 93rd minute when Babos, after seeing his initial shot saved, squared the ball to Mendes to slot home.
Hereford: Pond, Skinner, Teixeira, Lyden (Singh 64), Downing, Ceesay (Mendes 64), Babos, Cranston, Stanley, Rooney (Arthur 64), Howkins
Unused Subs: Livingstone, Sterry, Ryley
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