Bulls stroll at Pegasus

A crowd of just under 500 watched the Bulls cruise in the heat against local city side Pegasus Juniors.

The pre-season friendly marked the official opening of the Sport Italia Hellenic League club's new ground.

Bulls' boss Graham Turner used the match to cast his eye over numerous triallists, and for many in the crowd it was initially a question of 'Who's, who?'

Indeed, Hereford almost changed their entire side at half-time to ensure those eager to impress had an opportunity of at least 45 minutes on the pitch.

It was hardly a surprise to Bulls' fans to see plenty of 'Alias, Smith & Jones's' in the Hereford line-up - despite the fact that many of the players had been identified on supporters websites earlier.

Wayne Brown was in the action early on deftly saving a bright Pegasus attack, but straightaway United took the lead at the other end.

Central defender John McCombe headed a centre across the six-yard box for Steve Guinan to nod the ball home in the 5th minute.

Initially, Lionel Ainsworth - on trial from Derby County - impressed with a series of sharp, surging attacks down the right flank. Ainsworth is a former England U-17 and U-19 international and on the evidence of this match looks an excellent prospect.

The ex-Rams winger created United's second goal in the 8th minute. After seizing on a poor Pegasus pass he raced clear through the centre before adroitly side-footing home past 'keeper Bryn Watkins.

The anticipated goal avalanche did not materialise, however, and Pegasus almost pulled one back when a right wing cross reached striker Cory Hyde. A goal looked a certainty but Hyde was slow to react and the chance went begging as Brown smothered his weak attempt.

Theo Robinson, the 18-year-old triallist from Watford, almost grabbed United's third just before the break but shot straight at the advancing Watkins when put clean through.

No fewer than 10 Hereford substitutes were made at half-time, with the only exception being Curtis McDonald at left-back who featured for the full 90 minutes.

The 19-year-old left sided player was named as 'John Curtis' in the match-day programme, however, the ex Cardiff City man is known to be on trial at Edgar Street.

McDonald was the first to fire in a shot in anger in at the beginning of the second half. But his low drive was tipped away for a corner.

Richard Rose powerfully headed home a George Jeremy right-wing corner midway through the half to make it three-nil to Hereford.

United's substitute strikers Chris Zebroski and Cortez Belle both had chances to extend the Bulls' lead, before Zebroski finally added the fourth after cutting in from the left before planting the ball into the back of the net to complete a comfortable pre-season victory for the Bulls.

1st Half: Hereford United.
1. Wayne Brown, 2. Sam Gwynne, 3. Curtis McDonald, 4. Kris Taylor, 5. John McCombe, 6. Karl Broadhurst, 7. Lionel Ainsworth, 8. Ben Smith, 9. Steve Guinan, 10. Theo Robinson, 11. Matt Burley.

2nd Half: Hereford United.
1. Adam Collin, 12. Trent McClenahan, 14. Richard Rose, 15. Dean Beckwith, 3. Curtis McDonald, 16. Marcus Palmer, 18. Jordan Fitzpatrick, 17. Luke Webb, 19. George Gerimi, 26. Cortez Belle, 20. Chris Zebroski. Sub. 21. Scott Walker

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