HEREFORDSHIRE'S U15 Schools soccer team made a spectacular return to national competition with a crushing 12-1 win at Cheltenham in the first round of the ESFA Playstation U15 District trophy.

Herefordshire, who had not taken part in the competition for the last three years, had shown their potential with a 3-3 friendly draw against a strong Kidderminster Harriers u15 side, roared into a 3-0 lead inside five minutes.

By half-time, James Hancocks of Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School had completed his hat-trick as Hereford led 7-0.

Herefordshire's dominance continued after the break despite a number of substitutions which allowed the squad to show its strength in depth.

Hancocks went on to score five goals in total while his schoolmate Ollie Smith also completed a hat-trick.

Other goal scorers were Harry Franklin (Bishop's), Ben Hardman (Earl Mortimer) and Greg Preece (Kingstone).

Cheltenham never gave up and deserved their late consolation goal.

Herefordshire now have to make the long journey to Woking in Surrey and will hope to make a real impression on the competition.

Herefordshire (back row, left to right): Fred Newton, Josh Peace, George Tindale (GK), Liam Griffiths (GK), Gregg Preece, Harry Franklin, James Hancocks; front: Dan Pugh, Charlie Hall, George Hayes, Jake Ashford, Ben Hardman, Ollie Smith, George Andrews, Tom Nunn. Missing due to illness: Wilf Munn.