Hereford started their preseason friendlies with a 6-0 win over Pegasus Juniors at their Old School Lane ground on Thursday evening.
After starting brightly, with Ross Staley blazing 2 shots wide within the opening 5 minutes, the Bulls went on to dominate much of the game. A strong defensive performance complimented by the addition of player/coach Chris Barker limited Pegasus’ attacking opportunities, as captain Chris Hyde’s low cross to Kieron Dovey was snubbed out.
On the quarter of an hour mark, Peggy’s Dan Price was close to finding the back of his own net, as he turned Aaron Birch’s cross towards goal; but a strong save from keeper Jacob Price ensured the score remained level.
8 minutes later, the visitors broke the deadlock through Pablo Haysham. Some good build-up play saw the ball break to Haysham whose shot from 18-yards took a deflection off Joe Tumelty past the helpless keeper.
Just shy of the half hour mark, Haysham easily managed to double Hereford's lead without the help of a deflection. As Haysham weaved his way into the box from the left wing, he fired the ball low past Price to double the Whites’ lead.
Hereford could've extended their lead further in the 32nd after referee Kevin Morris immediately pointed to the spot following a foul on Haysham. In the absence of John Mills, Mike Symons stepped up to take the spot kick, but dragged his shot wide.
An audacious overhead back-heel flick from Joe Tumelty 8 minutes from half time ensured that the Bulls had a 3 goal cushion going into the break, as he impressively turned home Jimmy Oates’ cross.
HT: Pegasus Juniors 0 - Hereford 3
The second half continued where the first half left off as Hereford continued to push for more goals. Ross Staley came close to getting his name on the scoresheet with 56 minutes on the clock, but his header was straight at the keeper.
After scoring twice in the first half, Haysham completed his hat trick just after the hour mark. As he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area, Haysham’s low shot evaded the flailing arms of the diving keeper and nestled in the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Manager Pete Beadle then made 6 changes to the team, which included trialist Jamal Lawrence, new signing Jamie Cuss and youth team players Rory Huntbach and Max Harris.
With 78 minutes on the clock, Jamie Cuss cut the ball back to Rory Huntbach, but his half-volley was blocked by Jake Robinson.
The Lilywhites soon added goals 5 and 6 to their haul, firstly Anthony Robbins’ free kick following a foul on Jamie Edge beat the six-man wall and sailed past the static keeper before Rory Huntbach scored with the last kick of the game.
FT: Pegasus Juniors 0 - Hereford 6
Att: Approx. 800
Pegasus Juniors: J Price, Bendall, Taylor, Newbury, Lewis, D Price, B Price, Panniers, Hyde (c), Dovey, Hunt
Subs: Tomkins, Mowen, Horton, Pearson, Robinson, Hunt, Craddock, Havard.
Hereford: Horsell, Oates, Edwards (c), Birch, Barker, Willets, Tumelty, Purdie, Staley, Haysham, Symons.
Subs: Edge, Summers, Robbins, Cuss, Huntbach, Harris, Deakin, Lawrence, Moreira.