HEREFORD Under-18 caretaker manager Jamie Pitman says he was surprised with the talent at his disposal.

Pitman, who played for Hereford United during two spells, as well as managing them between 2010 and 2012, has replaced previous Under-18 boss Steve Brotherwood.

The 39-year-old will be in charge until the end of October before United in the Community (UITC) decide on a permanent manager.

"There are some good players that has been shown with some of them getting into the first team," said Pitman.

"The players work really hard and I'm surprised with how good the quality is.

"I was asked to come on board until the end of October to stabilise it.

"I work for the FA and have to fit it in and around that, but it is going OK at the moment."

Pitman's first game in charge was a 3-0 home win against Wrens Nest in the League Cup first round, played at Leominster Town's Briarwood Stadium.

Hereford fielded a younger side due to Lewis Clarke, Jay Richmond, Carlos Moreira and Tom Gameson all playing for the first team the previous evening.

But they still rolled over the opposition in the second half, with Greg Preece, Robbie Trumper and Luke Price all on target.

However, the youth team crashed out of the FA Youth Cup at the first qualifying round stage on Monday following a 4-2 defeat at Bilston.

The home side opened the scoring early in the game before adding three more goals after the break.

Hereford did pull two goals back, but could not add more.

Brotherwood, meanwhile, has joined Shrewsbury Town in the Community.

The Wellington player says he thoroughly enjoyed his time at UITC.

"Having been with UitC for eight years I thought that this was the right time for a change on a personal level," he said.

"The opportunity that was presented to me eight years ago by Jamie Edwards and the football club was a dream job for anyone who wants to work in football and I feel privileged to have been with the club for eight years.

"I have taken an opportunity to join up with Jamie once more and from October 1, will be part of a Shrewsbury Town in the Community team who will be operating in south Shropshire, based in Ludlow.

"The opportunity to join up with Jamie is one that would have been crazy to turn down.

"Nobody knows more about community engagement and cementing a football club at the heart of its community as much as him and I am delighted to be starting that next chapter of my career in a few weeks time."

Brotherwood added that he was not surprised that some of the Under-18 players featured for the Hereford first team at Pershore Town in the Polymac Packaging Midland Football League Cup last week.

"There are many boys with massive amounts of potential and its up to them to make a name for themselves and push on towards the first team," said Brotherwood.

"Since Beads [Pete Beadle] came to the football club as director of youth a few seasons ago he was always a great character to be around.

"We shared an office block and from day one was an approachable and funny guy.

"I couldn't think of a better man to be at the helm for Hereford FC, it would have been a tough job for anyone to take on rebuilding a squad but things are on the turn and hopefully now they can push on towards the top of the league.

"We speak regularly by phone and he was one of the first to give me a bell which after my last game in charge which was great.

"To have Joel involved with the U18s I'm sure a great asset to the boys.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve on the pitch and is a good role model of first team captain for the lads to aspire to. "