Hereford FC: Reformed Bulls' run comes to an end after 27 wins

A record Midland League crowd of 4,060 watched Hereford FC win their first game at Edgar Street in August

Hereford FC are bidding to stay on course for promotion at the first attempt from the Midland League, the ninth tier of English football, despite the end of their 27-match winning run.

It is only 13 months ago that the Bulls' former entity, Hereford United, were wound up in the High Court.

But, despite dropping four levels, the Bulls' phoenix club have flourished.

"It's miraculous what has been done. There has been a phenomenal amount of hard work," said manager Peter Beadle.

Despite being held 1-1 at home by second-placed Alvechurch on Saturday, Beadle's side are still 12 points clear at the top of the Midland League Premier Division.

Phoenix from the old Bulls' ashes

Peter Beadle was Hereford United's manager when the Bulls beat relegation from the Conference Premier in April 2014.

After then being expelled from the fifth tier in June, over non-payment of debts, the club had been relegated to the Southern Premier League by the time the end finally came in December 2014.

But, after reforming over the summer, fuelled by the loyalty and enthusiasm of their fans, they have consistently attracted 4,000-plus crowds to Edgar Street this season and Beadle has built a promotion-winning team on the park to match the off-field buzz.

The attendance of 4,060 on the opening day for the 4-1 home win over Nottingham-based Dunkirk beat two League One gates, three in League Two and all but one in the National League.

And that Dunkirk spirit has survived.

The new Bulls' 27 straight victories

The Bulls initially stumbled after that opening day victory, losing three of their next four games before a 0-0 draw at Hereford neighbours Westfields on 31 August.

On the Saturday before Christmas, when they won 2-1 at Lye Town, it was 12 months to the day that the old Hereford United were wound up.

But, when the Bulls played the return on Boxing Day with Westfields, whose ground can be seen from Edgar Street, their 24th straight victory came in front of a season's best 4,381 fans.

After following that up with three more wins, one of them to reach the fifth round of the FA Vase, they had clocked up 27 consecutive wins in all competitions, scoring 99 goals.

Finally halted by Alvechurch

In front of 4,026 fans for the visit of Alvechurch, the Bulls opened the scoring with a sixth-minute Ryan Green header.

Alvechurch then equalised on 55 minutes with a goal from former Kidderminster Harriers striker Nick Wright.

"Maybe it's a good thing," said boss Peter Beadle. "They're a good side who've been together a long time and they came to stop us playing.

"We see the best of every single team we play, as it's Hereford. We're the team everyone wants to beat. They all want to be the team to shoot us down and end the run.

"But maybe this will see what we're made of. It's not the end of the world. It's great when you're winning every week but it was always going to come to an end sooner and or later and we're still unbeaten in 29 games."