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Hereford United were defeated 4-0 in their first pre-season friendly at Edgar Street against League One outfit Bristol City. City were 3-0 up at the half time interval thanks to some good attacking play, aided by some sloppy football by the home side.
Hereford's side boasted several trialists althought only one, Carl Jones, started the match alongside Craig Stanley. New signings Alex Jeannin and Jon Brady both started with the latter impressing the home crowd on his debut. Mike Parkin, Rob Williams, Rhys Smith and Tony Collins, all on trial, were named on the bench with Dean Beckwith, who made a debut appearance later on in the game.
Carl Jones was at fault for the first goal when he gifted the ball to an opponent in his own half. City's new signing Marcus Stewart was unselfish in front of goal, as he slipped the ball square for his strike partner Steven Gillespie to fire home from six yards after six minutes. At the other end Brady went close with a free kick from twenty five yards, but the 'keeper tipped it over the bar.
The Bulls played some nice football in stages, but these stages were few and far between as Bristol dominated. Danny Carey-Bertram released a pass for Rob Purdie on the left, who found Adam Stansfield in the box. He picked out the run of Jones with a pin point cross, but the latters header was easily saved from a good position. Jeannin stung the hands of the 'keeper with a thirty yard drive from a free kick but Gillespie doubled the lead for the visitors after eighteen minutes.
Gillespie should have made it three just after the half hour mark, but fired over from five yards out but City did notch a third soon after when Stewart picked out the run of Cole Skuse who tucked away from close range having held off the challenge of skipper Tony James.
Gillespie again went close to a hat trick just after the restart, but saw his curling effort from outside of the box cannon back off the bar before Brady delivered a perfect cross from the right, but Stansfield headed wide of the near post. Both sides rang the changes in the second half with Graham Turner giving chances to a number of trialists, all of who put in a decent performance.
Substitute Andy Williams had three efforts, although none really threatened the Bristol goal, in an rather lacklusture second period. Bristol completed the scoring four minutes from the end when sub Jensen Williams crossed for David Cotterill who had a simple task of converting from three yards. Jeannin went close for United right at the death when his inswinging corner was cleared off the goal line, with what appeared to be the use of a defenders arm.
The Bulls, all in all, were out classed by their higher league opposition, but the game should prove a good work out for the squad. It is clear that a few new signings will be needed in time for the start of the season and the players definately need some more games under their belt in order to gel.
