Hereford continued their pre-season campaign with a routine 5-0 victory at West Midlands Regional League Division Two Ludlow Town. Alex Bray opened up the scoring just before the half-time whistle, before four further goals followed in the second period through Liam Bishop, Kieran Thomas, Rowan Liburb and Tom Owen Evans.
It was largely one way traffic throughout the game, with Ludlow defending admirably in the first half, helped by former Hereford youth team 'keeper Liam Griffiths in the sticks. Jacob Jagger Cane was fed by Kyle Finn but his low shot was blocked by Griffith's legs. The former Coventry winger Finn looked lively throughout, firing straight at Griffiths following good work from Rhys Davies on the left-wing whilst Thomas also tested Griffiths with a powerful right-foot drive parried away by the Ludlow 'keeper. Further chances followed with both Bishop denied from close-range and then Finn's quick-thinking, controlling an awkward pass and volleying towards the corner once again superbly stopped by the diving Griffiths.
At the other end, Hereford contained Ludlow well, although there was an opportunity for their striker after he beat the offside trap but his shot lacked power and was held by Brandon Hall. Finn continued to be the main threat, curling a left-foot free-kick just past the far post. With a minute remaining, Hereford finally broke the deadlock through Bray. Griffiths, for all his heroics, opted to try and go past Bray inside his own area, and the former Swansea youth teamer picked up the ball and ran it into the empty net.
In the second period, Hereford started creating better opportunities as the game opened up; Jagger Cane slid a shot past the post following good work from Bray, whilst Jason Pope's header from a deep Bray Corner was diverted onto the cross bar. Hereford' second goal came through youngster Bishop; he followed up a powerful Finn strike from 20 yards that rebounded off the bar, with Bishop bundling home from close-range.
Two quick chances fell to left-back Davies, first he smashed against the bar after from a tight angle following good work from Finn, before moments later, stinging the palms of Griffiths with another powerful drive.
After a flurry of substitutes, Hereford added a third through Thomas, with the former Gloucester man drilling a shot into the far corner having been set up by Liburd.
The striker then got in on the act himself, racing on to a through ball by Jagger Cane and finishing with aplomb.
Late in the game, Hereford completed the victory courtesy of Tom Owen-Evans; Tommy O'Sullivan spread the play wide to Davies, and his well-placed cross across the ground was tapped in by Owen-Evans.
The striker then got in on the act himself, racing on to a through ball by Jagger Cane and finishing with aplomb.
Late in the game, Hereford completed the victory courtesy of Tom Owen-Evans; Tommy O'Sullivan spread the play wide to Davies, and his well-placed cross across the ground was tapped in by Owen-Evans.
It was a good exercise against a hard-working Ludlow side. The team looked fairly settled throughout, although the finishing in the first-half was some way off the required standards. Hereford looked a steadier team in the second-period and their fitness shone through towards the end of the game. Next up is Ryan Green's testimonial against Wolves U23s on Wednesday at Edgar Street.
Hereford: Hall, Bray, Davies-Austin, Jagger Cane, Gowling, Pope, Finn, Thomas, Symons, Bishop, Davies.
Subs used: Hodgkiss, Riley, Cullinane-Liburd, Owen-Evans, Styche, Liburd.
Sub not used: Powell.