O'Kelly Pleased With Second Half Performance

Hereford United manager Richard O'Kelly spoke quite positively after last night's 1-0 defeat at Port Vale.

"The result could have gone our way," O'Kelly told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"If we perform like we did tonight especially the second half - the first half they probably just shaded it.

"Our second half performance, you'd take that every week. Do that every week and you'll win more than you lose.

"Probably with a bit more belief in and around the penalty box, just a gamble at times, may be we can improve on that.

"A lot of things in the second-half impressed me.

"To come to Vale Park against a very good side that if they hadn't lost the ten points would be in the playoffs.

"They've got some very good players so for us to run them in the second half and create the opportunities that we did have was good."

O'Kelly made several changes for the game including starting Joe Colbeck and Sam Clucas on the wings.

"They came in and did a job. They did what I expected of them.

"There's Harry Pell and James McQuilken who haven't been involved yet although at training they are looking the part.

"The group of players I've got here I'd have no qualms about putting any of them in the side."

Stefan Stam started his first game for several weeks and was subbed during the second half.

"Stef has missed a fair chunk of the season. I made a decision to bring him off. He captained the side and was excellent motorvating the players around him.

"What you don't want to do is run your best players into the ground. He didn't have to come off, just looking after him.

"He's got a massive part to play for the rest of the season."

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