Police forced to deal with 40-man fight after pre-season friendly

Police were forced to deal with a 40-man fight which took place after the Hereford v Shrewsbury pre-season friendly in midweek.

Reports have emerged, stating that supporters of both fanbases were involved in a ‘disorder’ after the Tuesday night clash at Edgar Street.

The match ended in a 2-1 victory to League One outfit Shrewsbury Town, and while the atmosphere within the ground was impressive considering the limited capacity, trouble still broke out.

A statement from West Mercia Police said: “Following the conclusion of the Hereford v Shrewsbury pre-season friendly at around 9.30pm around 40 fans became involved in disorder in the area around Edgar Street, Hereford.

“Police were able to keep the groups of fans separated and facilitated their dispersal.

“No arrests were made. Enquiries are ongoing to identify fans who committed public order offences.”

THE MATCH ITSELF:

After a entertaining first 20 minutes, it was the visitors who had the first effort at goal with Nathanael Ogbeta finding Ryan Bowman in the box, though his flick went into the hands of goalkeeper Brandon Hall.

Tom Owen-Evans tried his luck with a well-hit effort which was saved by Marko Marosi, a keeper who was then forced into action shortly after when a long Brandon Hall kick released Ryan McLean whose low effort was saved.

Bulls defender Ben Pollock was forced to makes a top block just as Tom Bloxham looked set to put the ball in the back of the net from inside the box.

After the break, Daniel Udoh came on for Shrewsbury and forced Hall to get into the game with a decent effort.

Miles Storey opened the scoring for Hereford on the 59th minute after Maziar Kouhyer’s first effort fell nicely for him.

Seven minutes later the hosts came very close to grabbing a second, with Storey seeing his cross cleared away by Marosi, that fell to a Hereford trialist whose effort was clawed off the line by the Salop goalkeeper.

Kouhyer was causing mischief in the Shrewsbury defence and came away from his marker before Marosi had to make a fine save.

Shrewsbury then came from behind with two goals in three minutes, with Kouhyer almost scoring at one end but Marosi was there to save, before Udoh attacked and crossed for Shaun Whalley who slid home.

Three minutes later Whalley broke quick, which in turn opened up the Bulls and Udoh was there to steer home the second goal.

TEAMS
Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Bodenham, Hancox, Vincent, Lloyd, Owen-Evans, McLean, Butlin, Storey, Pollock
Subs: Haines, Klukowski, Raison, Forsyth, Kouhyer, Trialist x5, Whittingham

Shrewsbury Town: Marosi, Ogbeta, Bennett, Pennington, Ebanks-Landell, Leahy, Davis, Vela, Whalley, Bowman, Bloxham
Subs: Burgoyne, Gregory, Udoh, Pyke, Daniels

Attendance: 1,003

Hereford boss Josh Gowling said that he was pleased with the display but says his side is a work in progress.

“It was end to end, I thought our energy levels and pressing was excellent,” said Gowling talking to Keith Hall, quoted in the Hereford Times.

“Our shape off the ball was excellent. We got in really good areas on the ball but then our quality let us down a little bit.”

Shrewsbur’s Shaun Whalley reflected on his side’s 2-1 pre-season win over Hereford at Edgar Street.

“Pre-season has been tough, but I always enjoy getting into shape and we are looking forward to the season. The game was very competitive, Hereford played really well but so did we at times; they took the lead but we managed to get back into it.

“It’s always nice to score, I love scoring. It is mainly about gaining fitness at the minute but it’s always nice to get on the scoresheet. Pre-season is hard work first and foremost, and that’s what you expect. Everything is going well and we are working really hard. We are all looking forward to the season ahead.

“The second goal was a good finish from Dan Udoh. I played it through and I don’t think he could miss. He tucked it away nice and he set me up for the first. Well done to Dan.”

SEE MORE: Pre-season friendly sees three red cards after players of both teams fight

Fans reacted as police were forced to deal with a 40-man fight after the pre-season friendly at Edgar Street…

@hufc_g: Hearing slop fans caught running? Looooooool these man 😭

@ITKNonLeague: What an absolute bunch of melons @HerefordFC fans are. They attacked a group of elderly @shrewsweb fans tonight, including a 79 year old man, who they pushed over and and spat at. Disgusting fanbase. #Salop

@JacobSambrook: Introducing hereford fc, horrible bunch

goat_philips: Vile. Absolutely disgusting and I hope the highest punishment is given.

@BrownbillJoe: Should name and shame all of them, disgusting

@GrattonRhys: Hereford FC ladies and gentlemen:

Servitude: Typical yobbo thick football fans. Should ban them

TORYTranny: Nail on head. Been to watch Rugby before, Beers in the stands, banter with rival supporting fans. No trouble. Football attracts idiots sadly..

Jamontoast62: I’m old enough to remember herefords skinheads. A bunch of mummy’s boys one and all. Trying to be the fool like today’s youngsters

Happy bull: 40 fans and our local police force could not cope, why can’t they be pro active for once . They would never manage in Manchester or in Liverpool on a Saturday afternoon, with attendances of 50 000 plus.

Mumma24: Police officers attending football matches have body cams and /or film in on cameras they have the footage they need to identify people ,why wait until after the event why not get them there and then they stand and watch and then expect everyone else to provide names for those causing trouble.

billiesbolloxs: It’s funny how people assume these people are thick just because they want to fight like minded people. Its the longest serving pastime having a scrap at a football match . Its the authorities who ain’t the brightest if they thought that the rivalry between these two wasn’t going to bring trouble

Quinner: I just don’t understand the mentality of some of these idiots, I bet if you asked the perpetrators of the violence to name the Hereford FC squad they couldn’t, these **** just go for pre match pints on the look out for a fracca, then off to the meadow end half cut and ready for a rumble. Throw them all in jail and throw away the key, It’s a massive shame the average dad and or mum can’t take their kids to Edgar Street because of the mindless morons who call themselves Hereford FC supporters. Shame on you all.

STEVIEWONDERS: why did the police lead the Shrewsbury fans down Edgar street straight into the home fans, surely they could bring the coach round to the away end.