The youth team's final game of the season sent them on the long trip to Plymouth to face an Argyle side that they had drawn with back in February.

The only team change was Aaron Godfrey replacing Ben Thomas. The Argyle youngsters had the Bulls on the back foot straight away and it took Hereford nearly five minutes to move play into the opponants half. However we fired the first shot in anger when Jimmy Moreton just failed to hit the target. The other half of the Hereford strike partnership fired wide also with both players looking to finish their time in the youth team with a goal.

The best chance of the half for Hereford fell to Brendan Hackett who took advantage of some indecision in the home defence only to see his shot hit the crossbar. At the other end Mat Gwynne made a smart save which led to Argyle scoring from the resulting corner in the tenth minute. Then ten minutes later tricky winger Harper-Penman raced trough the centre of the Hereford defence and had his shirt pulled by skipper Joe Lemar. This led to Argyle increasing their lead from the penalty spot.

A fine move down the right between Hackett, Zac Brimble and Will Loughman ended with a low cross from the latter just evading Hereford's strike-force.

The second period followed the pattern of the first with most of the play in the mid-field area and both sides looking dangerous on the break. 

Hereford moved the ball swiftly down the right with the excellent Hackett playing a great low cross into the path of Joe Loftus whose resulting shot was brilliantly blocked by the home defence.

A cross-field ball eluded Aaron Godfrey and Harper Penman took full advantage to lob the ball over the advancing Gwynne.

Both sides played good football particularly Argyle who looked to play from the back and use their exceptional pace in the wide positions.

Joe Loftus sent over a high cross from the right and Jimmy Moreton headed over the home keeper to score in his last game. Thomas worked hard alongside Moreton but was not able to sign off in the same way.

The final score was 3-1 to the home side in game which marked the farewell of the two strikers and midfielder Joe Loftus. The recent form of Hackett and Brimble has demonstrated that they are ready to step into the boots of the departing players.

Teams

HUFC
Gwynne, Lemar, Godfrey (Matapo 60), Loughman, (Marsh 65) Croose Brimble, Lee, Thomas (Savage 84) Hackett, Moreton

Argyle
Varazinkis, Stephens, Clifford, Nelson, Trott, Richards, Harper-Penman, Young, Rickard, Copp, Barker

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Whilst at Plymouth United received a phone call from Kevin Scott Academy recruitment manager at Stoke City to ask if we would like to play their under sixteen's.

After a brief discussion we agreed and last Saturday morning set off for Stoke City's main training ground. We took a mixture of under seventeen's and under sixteen's who will form the bulk of our squad next season.

On arrival the security guard directed us to the car park. Initially the training ground resembled Belmont Abbey training ground with Popular Trees forming the boundary.  We were greeted by Academy Director Steve Martin who escorted us to the spacious dressing rooms. The site was overlooked by the almost complete new building to house both the academy and the fist team at a mere cost of £5 million!

As we prepared for the start of the game Gary and I felt a bit on our own as eight of their coaches marched by!

The game itself was an evenly contested affair and Hereford should have gone ahead early in the game through Jack Biggs. However that was not the case and the break arrived with both sides scoreless.

Stoke included two players they had recently bought from Chelsea and Liverpool.

Halt-time provided Gary with one of his easier team talks as the side had played extremely well.

The second half was again fairly even although the hosts spent more time in the Hereford half than they had before the break.

Chances were at a premium at both ends although Mat Gwynne was required to make a great stop mid-way through the half.  With the final ten minutes approaching the hosts secured the only goal of the game.

At the final whistle Steve congratulated us on our performance and was impressed with the technique and attitude of our players. We thanked him for his excellent hospitality and travelled back down the M6 with a good end to the season.

Match Squad
Gwynne, Matapo, Loughman, Thomas, Godfrey, Marsh, Hackett, Brimble, Lee, Hunt, Lattibeudire, Wildig, Honey, Savage, Biggs