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Lionel Ainsworth stole the show with an excellent hattrick as Hereford United progressed in the Carling Cup First Round at the expense of old Conference rivals Yeovil Town. The Bulls raced into a four goal lead at the break, courtesy of Ainsworth, and a strike from Clint Easton, before Lloyd Owusu pulled back a consolation early in the second half for The Glovers.
Wayne Brown returned to the United starting line up, which featured two other changes from Saturday's starting line up against Rotherham. Ben Smith took the place of Kris Taylor in central midfield; both players are looking to make the role their own, and the competition can only be good for Graham Turner. Up front, Theo Robinson partnered Trevor Benjamin, with Steve Guinan having to settle for a place on the bench.
Eight minutes into the game came the first chance, and with it, the first goal. Robinson poked a pass out to Ainsworth, whose burst of speed took him into space in a central position. The former Derby youngster then smashed a 25 yard strike under Steve Mildenhall's fingertips to hand United the lead. A few minutes after, a Robinson effort smashed the bar, after Benjamin had played him in, and follow up efforts by Ainsworth and Robinson again were blocked. Just after the mid-way point in the first half, Ainsworth doubled his, and Hereford's tally with a neat finish. Easton curled a cross in the box, and Ainsworth controlled before tucking his shot into the corner, giving the Yeovil 'keeper no chance.
The away side had little answer for United's impressive opening, with Wayne Brown largely a spectator in the first half, although he was on hand to keep out a Nathan Jones free-kick. Minutes after the first chance for The Glovers, Hereford had scored again. Richard Rose struck a hopeful long free-kick into the box, and the presence of Benjamin forced a poor header out; Easton picked up the pieces by smashing home with his left foot into the far corner. Hereford were on top throughout the first half, with Robinson and Benjamin looking extremely lively up front, and Ainsworth causing mass problems for the Yeovil back-line, and it was Ainsworth who completed his hattrick four minutes before half time. Benjamin headed down for Smith, who played the ball to Ainsworth. The pace and skill of Ainsworth saw him beat two defenders on his way to the box, and then he cut back onto his left foot, and curled an excellent finish around Mildenhall and into the far corner.
Yeovil manager Russell Slade made a bold statement at half time by bringing on three players during the interval. Matt Rose, Justin Cochrane and Craig Alcock were all introduced in place of Marvin Williams, Mark Lynch and Nathan Jones. The decision sparked a mini revival from the Somerset outfit, when a corner was powerfully headed by Guyett but his effort was cleared off the line by Trent McClenahan. The Bulls back-line could do nothing about the following cross though, as a bullet header from Lloyd Owusu made the score-line 4-1. Hereford tried to add a fifth, and came close on a number of occasions, with a counter attack mid-way through the second half the closest they came. Easton passed across the field to Ainsworth, who ran at the defence, before finding Benjamin. The former Leicester target man layed the ball off to the on-coming Smith who fired inches past the post. Benjamin fired over from the edge of the area, whilst a cheeky Richard Rose chip narrowly went over the bar. Kris Taylor, Steve Guinan and Simon Johnson all made cameo appearences in place of Toumani Diagouraga, Benjamin and Ainsworth, with all three players leaving the field to rapturous applause from the home fans.
For the second year running, Hereford have progressed in the Carling Cup at the expense of a higher graded team, with a commanding win. Also, likewise last season, The Bulls had a hattrick hero to thank, with Ainsworth firing three goals, much like Stuart Fleetwood last season against Coventry. A crowd of 2085, including 217 from Yeovil, saw an entertaining match, dominated by Hereford, with some excellent football being played by the home side. Lets hope Hereford can take this victory into the League Two campaign next Saturday, when they visit Barnet at Underhill.
Hereford: Brown, McClenahan, Rose, Broadhurst, Beckwith, Ainsworth, Smith, Diagouraga, Easton, Benjamin, Robinson.
Subs: Lewis, McCombe, Taylor, Johnson, Guinan.
Yeovil: Mildenhall, Lynch, Jones, Guyett, Forbes, Williams, Peltier, Barry, Morris, Owusu, Warne.
Subs: Knights, Rose, Cochrane, Hughes, Alcock.