THE Hereford UITC Under-15 and Under-16 Youth Academy teams capped a fine first season back in the Junior Premier League by winning their respective shield competitions at Cirencester Town.

The Under-16s beat Salisbury City 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out after a tense 1-1 draw while the Under-15s defeated Rushden and Diamonds 3-0.

Hereford had the better of a tight Under-16 final but it took until the second half for them to break the deadlock, Sam Oxley rounding the keeper to score.

However the goal sparked Salisbury into life and they equalised to take the game into extra time.

No more goals followed so it went to penalties, and Hereford emerged victori c ous in sudden death when James Aurelius produced a terrific full-length save to keep out Salisbury’s sixth spot kick. On target from the spot for the Young Bulls were Lewis Corrick, Jay Richmond, Matt MacDonald, Oxley, Ethan Clarke and Keiron Young.

The Under-15s had the difficult task of trying to follow that drama, but they produced their finest display of the season against in-form Rushden & Diamonds, who missed an early penalty.

Skipper Cameron Godsall was inspirational at the back alongside the solid Josh Pearce, Tom Nunn and Jake Ashford controlled the midfield and it was no surprise when Nunn sent Greg Preece away to calmly lob home.

Preece added a second from the penalty spot after being fouled early in the second period and Laurie Morgan-Clare headed goal number three from a Nunn corner.