Bromyard Town 0 Hereford United 4

AS expected, Hereford moved through to the semi-finals of the HFA Floodlit Invitation Challenge Cup with few alarms against their county rivals on Tuesday.

On a night of driving rain, Hereford killed the game off with a powerful first-half display.

The Bulls named a strong side with several members of the team which lost at Accrington last Friday, while there was also a chance of a useful run-out for the likes of Jamie Pitman and Craig Mawson who have recently been out of first-team contention.

It was Bromyard who made the early running and Gareth McCarthy, who was generally the pick of the home players, made a strong break forward before firing in a cross-shot which was deflected for a corner.

Mark Russell had a shot saved by Mawson shortly afterwards while Chris Allen sent a cross skimming through the penalty area when the merest of touches would have put the ball in the Hereford net.

A similar scenario unfolded at the other end on 12 minutes and once again the luck was with the Bulls. Andy Williams made some space for himself on the left of the area and delivered a low cross which was helped into his own net by Russell.

The second goal arrived on 29 minutes when Andy Ferrell's corner was flicked on by Dean Beckwith at the near post and Rob Purdie delivered a crisp finish.

Seven minutes before the break, Pitman's fine through-ball was crashed into the net by Williams - a just reward for a lively first 45 minutes from the youngster.

Bromyard should have reduced arrears just before the interval when Allen managed to lift his shot over a gaping goal, but Hereford quickly took over again to run the second period.

From the best move of the game on 63 minutes, Williams and Pitman contrived an opening for Evans but the striker's effort come back off a post.

Hereford, in fact, had to wait until the 81st minute for their next goal, which turned out to be the best of the night with substitute Alex Jeannin letting fly with a left-foot drive from 25 yards which Barry McLean in the home goal hardly saw.

Hereford: Mawson, Green (James, 68 min), Beckwith, Blewitt, Ferrell, Brady (Jeannin, 68 min), Stanley (Mkandawire, 68 min), Pitman, Purdie, Williams, Evans. Sub not used: Brown

Bromyard: McLean (B), Walker (Taffe, 79 min), Banks, McLean (T), McCarthy, Woodward, Andy Crowther, Russell (Adie Crowther, 53 min), Baylis (Broadhurst, 65 min), Pratt, Allen. Sub not used: Malins.

Referee: Steve Moggs (Ross-on-Wye).

Bookings: Bromyard - Baylis, dissent, 65 min.

Goals: Russell, og, 12 min, 0-1; Purdie, 29 min, 0-2; Williams, 38 min, 0-3; Jeannin, 81 min, 0-4.