HAT-TRICK star Pablo Haysham said it was good to help Hereford progress to the semi-finals of the HFA County Challenge Cup after returning to the side.

The Bulls striker missed the last league encounter against Coleshill Town, but netted three times to thrash Bromyard Town 6-0.

"These competitions are good for the team in terms of getting minutes for everyone and to get a win in the way we did, which is great for everyone," said Haysham.

"There's definitely competition for places within the squad and that's great because it makes you work harder and ensures you've got that attitude and that's what it's about – getting everyone to improve.

"I trained fine this week and I was all good.

"I knew he [Pete Beadle] would rest a few players and I was quite lucky to get those minutes, but I'm happy to play whenever.

"Offensively, the squad is coming along well and the players that have been brought in have added to that and improved it, but that's the same for any team.

The attendance of 610 may have been much lower that what Hereford home games usually attract, but Haysham said he understood why the crowd was down.

"It's understandable with the journeys people have to make and, with competitions like this, it may be not as attractive," said Haysham.

"But, with the ones that are able to come, we definitely appreciate it and it's fantastic to see."

Hereford manager Pete Beadle said the game as a 'worthwhile exercise'.

"Mustapha [Bundu] needed a game to get up to speed, Sid [Sirdic Grant] needed a game, then you've got the likes of Dylan [Bonella[, Robbo [Antony Robbins] and Nathan Hughes," said Beadle.

"Pablo wasn't well last week, Max [Kontic-Coveney] and Jay Richmond, who is a young lad who has come in.

"They looked a bit rusty to start with, but the second half blew the cobwebs out and they put in a good performance."

Beadle reserved praise for Bromyard who, he said, made life difficult for his side in the early stages.

"They set up well and were lively," said Beadle.

"I think they have a similar problem to a lot of teams though.

"I spoke to their manager [Nick Smith] and he said it was the first time in a few weeks that he had every player available.

"Playing at Edgar Street was a big incentive for them and they never threw the towel in.

"It took us half an hour to break them down to get the first goal and they had a few half chances themselves.

"But, second half, with the breeze blowing down the pitch, we were probably a bit too strong in the end."

Haysham opened the scoring from the penalty spot after he was brought down before he doubled the advantage after being set up by Grant.

Mustapha Bundu, who earlier went close with a free-kick, then got in the act by making it 3-0 before half-time.

Haysham then completed his hat-trick after the break and John Mills and Mike Symons, who were brought off the bench, added to the scoreline/

Hereford face Kington Town at Edgar Street in the semi-finals.

"I don't know much about them either, but will be another good chance for us to give players another game," said Beadle.

"But we are fortunate that we have a very strong squad and everything has done exceptionally well."

HEREFORD TEAM

Rivers, Tumelty, Richmond, Bonella, Willets, Kontic-Coveney, Grant, Robbins, Hughes, Haysham, Bundu.

Subs used: Mills, Symons, Moreira; not used: Birch.