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As expected, Hereford United cruised against local side Bromyard Town, eventually winning 8-1 in the Herefordshire Senior Cup Quarter Final at Edgar Street. Out of the side which started on the weekend at Milton Keynes, only Phil Gulliver and Alex Jeannin featured tonight. Youngsters Sam Gwynne, Jordan Fitzpatrick and Marcus Palmer were given rare starts, as was fringe player Jon Wallis.
It was Palmer who opened the scoring, with a huge help from a Bromyard defender. He ran down the right wing before cutting into the box. Palmer then struck a low drive, and it ended up in the roof of the net, via a large deflection. Soon after, Tim Sills grabbed United's second, heading home after a fine Gareth Sheldon cross. Sheldon was involved again as United went three to the good. This time he took the ball down on his chest, before playing in young Fitzpatrick, who steadied himself before firing a fine right foot drive into the top corner. The half ended as it started, with Palmer scoring. Sills layed in a ball to the former Cheltenham youngster, who took a touch before curling a fine effort into the top corner to make it four.
Hereford continued the goal glut in the second half, with Gulliver getting his name on the scoresheet. He met a cross from the left, giving the away 'keeper no chance as the ball looped in. Luke Webb then grabbed his first goal of the campaign, with a long range volley. It was heading into the arms of the keeper, but a deflection off a defender fooled the 'keeper who couldn't re-adjust his body to save it. Sills made it seven, with the same combination which led to his first. Sheldon crossed, right footed from the left, and Sills this time guided the header past the helpless goalie. There was a moment of glory for Bromyard, as they grabbed a consolation goal. A fine counter-attack led to a simple finish for Chris Allen from close range. Yet, it was Hereford who had the last say in the game, with Palmer completing his hattrick. Wallis cushioned a header to Palmer, who swivelled before firing a fine low drive past the 'keeper to finish the score at eight goals to Bromyard's one.
So it's Hereford who progress to the semi-finals with this comfortable win in front of 142 supporters at Edgar Street. It was an opportunity to see some fringe players in action, and to give some youth players a game. In particular, Palmer looked a constant threat up front, with a neat touch, good pace, and an eye for goal. Webb also dominated the midfielder, with a good range of passing through the evening's encounter. These players will now look to push the first team regulars for their spots in the starting line up.
Hereford: Thompson, Wallis, Ferrell, Gulliver, Jeannin, Fitzpatrick, Webb, Gwynne, Sheldon, Sills, Palmer.
Subs: Brown, Beckwith, Rose, Purdie, Connell.
