Bromyard Town were swept aside by their higher graded opponents this evening in the Herefordshire Senior Invitation Floodlit Cup game at Delahay Meadow played under wet and windy conditions. Three goals in the first half for Hereford saw them cruising and Alex Jeannin's fine goal nine minutes from time finished off proceedings.
Graham Turner gave some fringe players the chance to impress, Craig Mawson returned in between the sticks, whilst there were starts up front for Graham Evans and youngster Andy Williams. Defenders Darren Blewitt and Dean Beckwith both returned replacing Tamika Mkandawire and Tony James, Andy Ferrell continued his run in the first team but slotted in at left back. United could only name four first team players on the bench as injuries got the better of them.
Evans was lively early on and should have given Hereford the lead when Rob Purdie slipped a ball through to him, but his shot was saved by the legs of the Bromyard 'keeper. Soon after though, Williams hard work down the left hand side resulted in the opening goal for the Bulls. He put in a low cross which took an unfortunate deflection off a Bromyard defender and ended up in the back of the net. Evans had more chances to get on the scoresheet; he sliced wide from a deep Andy Ferrell cross, then minutes later, he tried a quick free kick after Williams was bought down but his shot flashed wide off the post.
Ferrell filled in for Jeannin both at his position and also took the corner's, swinging in to Blewitt who was unlucky not to get his first goal for Hereford, the 'keeper needed to touch the ball over. Minutes after Ferrell once again swung in a corner, this time it was the lively duo Williams and Rob Purdie who linked up well, Williams flicked on and Purdie tapped in from close range to give Hereford a comfortable lead. Purdie was unlucky not to get a second when his impressive run saw him shoot into the side netting from 25 yards.
Not long before the half time whistle, Williams got his first goal for Hereford after some good build up play. Evans found Pitman, whose pass through sent Williams away and the youngster confidentally finished passed the helpless 'keeper. Bromyard should have pulled one back before half-time when, after some indecision in the Hereford area, they had a good chance but the forwards left foot volley didn't test Mawson. Three goals to the good at half time, and Hereford were nothing less than comfortable.
After a shortened half time the teams came out for the second half which started in a similar fashion with some good attacking play from the away side, Jon Brady put in some good balls and Evans was once again unlucky not to score when his header went wide. Craig Stanley's tireless running nearly resulted in a goal, when he had a left foot drive turned away by the 'keeper. Yet it was Evans again who came closest to adding a fourth, he was played through but his low shot hit the post and came back out, Williams failed to follow up, and his shot was blocked.
United made some changes towards the end of the game with Tony James, Jeannin and Tamika Mkandawire all coming on replacing Jon Brady, Ryan Green and Craig Stanley. James lined up on right wing whilst Jeannin started in centre midfield. Once again it was Evans who had the chance to get a goal, but despite some good work beating two defenders, he could only shoot at the Bromyard 'keeper. With little under ten minutes to go, the Bulls grabbed a deserved fourth, subsitute Jeannin collected the ball off Evans and fired an unstoppable left footed drive into the top corner from around 25 yards.
Williams looked to add to his earlier goal and he shot just wide of the post after a neat turn and a low drive. Purdie was also looking to grab a second and his shot was deflected over. The last chance of the match fell to former Caersws striker Evans. After twisting and turning in the box Williams cut back for Evans and from close range, the striker fired over, when it looked easier to score.
It was an all round good performance from the Bulls, although they were always expected to win. Hereford created a number of opportunities throughout and the scoreline could have been higher. Williams had a very good game up front whilst Evans, who will be frustrated at not scoring, can be pleased with his effort.