Bulls rattle in Eight against Ledbury.

Hereford United recorded a convincing 8-0 victory against West Midland Premier Division outfit Ledbury Town in tonight's HFA Senior Cup match at Edgar Street. Marcus Palmer grabbed the headlines with a five-goal haul whilst Birmingham City trialist Ryan Burge got a pair with Kris Taylor rounding off the scorers.

A spirited Ledbury team competed well in the early stages although there were glimpses of what was to come, as young Jack MacLeod impressed with some surging runs down the right flank. The returning Robbie Threlfall's darting run and cross on the quarter hour found MacLeod who pulled the ball back to the edge of the box only for Taylor to see his effort rise over the bar. Shortly after Ledburys Stuart Hall produced a strong run and shot before Sam Dixon tested Ingham in the United goal with a scorcher from 25 yards. The Bulls eventually opened their account on 40 minutes when a Craig Jones cross deceived Town keeper, Adie Hodges, and Palmer was on hand to finish from close range. Just two minutes later Palmer set up Kris Taylor who found the corner of the net from 15 yards. Just before the interval, Sam Gwynne was upended in he box when venturing forward from his fullback position but his spot kick was well saved by Hodges and the ball was scrambled clear.

Early in the second period, Zac Blood forced a fine save from Ingham before Kris Taylor dinked a delightful ball through to MacLeod whose pinpoint cross was met with a bullet header from Palmer to put The Bulls three up. Ryan Burge was impressing in midfield and his forward run was spotted by left sided Craig Jones. Jones delivered and Burge finished for Uniteds fourth goal on 56 minutes. Burge doubled his tally four minutes later when his shot on the turn found the net. A clearly tiring Ledbury side were punished by Palmer late on as he added three more in a 16 minute spell. Burge collected the ball in his own half and released Threlfall who crossed from the bye-line. Palmer finished with another firm header before adding a low drive from the right side of the box. The final goal came as Palmer outpaced the Ledbury defence before coolly slotting past the advancing keeper.

Hereford fielded in interesting mix of youth and experience with Michael Ingham in goal, a back four of Threlfall, Broadhurst , Gareth Thomas and Gwynne, a midfield of MacLeod, Taylor, Fitzpatrick, Ryan Burge and Craig Jones with Palmer as a front man. John McCombe replaced Broadhurst for the final five or ten minutes while Threlfall gave way for Joel Edwards and Kris Taylor was replaced by Adam Bendall.

The game was watched by a reported 221.

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