At last Hereford showed what they are capable of with a four goal victory over Lymington in the FA Cup replay at Edgar Street last night.
Admittedly the task was made easier after the visitors went down to ten men during the first half, but in truth Brandon Hall had little to do all evening in the Hereford goal.
The four goals all came from different players with Harry Pinchard's free kick perhaps the pick of the crop.
On a lovely evening in late September, manager Josh Gowling made several changes from the team that drew 2-2 at Lymington last Saturday. Patrick Fini came in at left back, Harry Pinchard and also Ben Pollock in midfield. Loanee Levi Andoh partnered Luke Haines in central defence.
For the first time since sometime last season the Bulls played towards the Meadow End in the first half and from the kick-off they looked lively.
Tom Owen-Evans latched onto a ball down the left hand side and was close to goal when former Hereford player Craig Stanley challenged him. A corner followed but came to nothing.
Moments later another half chance when Dan Smith and Ross Carey, the Lymington keeper, battled for the ball. And then a shot from the left from Miles Storey.
Ryan Lloyd had a header cleared by Stanley with the keeper out of position.
There were problems with the floodlights at the corner of the meadow end/mainstand and the referee was seen looking at whether it was too dark to continue. Luckily as if my magic or the bill being paid the lights soon came back on full power.
Another Hereford corner and the ball appeared to come off Luke Haines but went inches wide. And an effort from Dan Smith went very close with the keeper beaten.
Andoh was brought down close to the box for which Luke Churchill was booked. And given it was his second yellow of the day he was off for an early bath.
The free kick that followed was floated across goal by Pinchard to Storey but was then cleared. Pinchard then tried a shot from the edge of the box but it was inches too high.
However from the resultant corner taken by Owen-Evans Hereford got on the score sheet, Dan Smith with a header that left Casey stranded. It had taken 34 minutes but was fully deserved.
More efforts from Hereford followed with both Pinchard (picture below), Owen-Evans and Smith having decent chances.
Half time: Hereford 1 Lymington 0
Gowling took off Owen Evans and brought on Ryan Mclean for the second half.
Then on 55 minutes Hereford doubled their lead. Smith was brought down just outside the area and Pinchard scored an excellent goal from the free kick.
Ollie Hulbert came on for Dan Smith and a few minutes later Gowling took off Pollock, who had cramp, for Maziar Kouyhar.
The changes didn't affect Hereford's game and on 73 minutes they added a third. Hulbert moved the ball to Andoh who shot towards the keeper, the ball appeared to rebound to Hulbert who finished from around eight yards.
Three minutes later it was four. A solo effort from Kouyhar.
Just before the game finished Lymington took off Stanley after he appeared to injure himself whilst denying Patrick Fini who could have made it five. The former Hereford United player received a warm round of applause from the crowd.
A good night's work for Hereford but the real test will be on Saturday when it's back to the league and the visit of Leamington.
Hereford: Hall, Hodgkiss, Haines, Owen-Evans, Storey, Andoh, Lloyd, Pollock, Smith, Fini, Pinchard.
Subs: Hancox, McLean, Liburd-Hines, Kouhyar, Hulbert, Whittingham.
Attendance: 778