Hereford Loanee :John Eustace

John Eustace - in what will probably be a make or break season for him at Stoke - has so far made 3 starts for ‘The Bulls’ during his month’s loan to Hereford. Some real encouragement for his future at Stoke beyond his one year contract extension: not only has he been making his mark on games but also, touch wood, he seems to be lasting the full 90 minutes.

In his opening match a 1-1 draw against Darlington he was prominent in the reportage:

“At the heart of the late action was midfielder John Eustace who made a good impression on his debut after arriving on a month's loan from Stoke City.

The 26-year-old opened up the Quakers' defence with a perfectly-placed free-kick to allow Mkandawire to head home on 70 minutes.....

Then an inch-perfect pass set Stuart Fleetwood racing through on goal, only for the striker, who is now without a goal in two months, to fire narrowly wide of an upright....

Undeterred, Eustace produced another superb pass within a minute to put Andy Williams in the clear. But, with goalkeeper Sam Russell racing off his line, the young striker snatched at his chance and allowed the Quakers keeper to block the ball to safety....

It had been Eustace who set up Williams with a chance to give Hereford the boost of a welcome early goal when he set last season's top-scorer away with another perceptive pass on eight minutes.Williams raced 50 yards but then thrashed his shot across goal and wide with colleagues probably better placed in the centre.......

Eustace himself had a shot blocked shortly afterwards but it was Darlington who went on to have the better of the first period, although their goal, when it arrived had an element of fortune about it.” ( Richard Prime, Hereford Times)

He also played the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 away victory against MK Dons last Saturday, and Tuesday night’s home win 1-0 against Accrington.........Fingers crossed.

PS Family connection, his grandfather Ken Eustace, a goalkeeper, only played once for Hereford in the 1949-50 season….a 5-0 defeat by Barry Town!