FORMER Hereford United player Gavin Williams has tipped Hereford FC to win Southern Football League Division One South & West.

Williams, who played 168 times for the Bulls between 1996 and 2002, was back at Edgar Street yesterday to see his Merthyr Town side beat Hereford FC 2-1 and win the HFA Senior Invitation Cup.

But Williams still saw enough to convince him that Pete Beadle's side will have no problems this season.

"We won it two years ago and, what I've seen of Hereford, I'm sure they'll win it," said Williams.

"Having known Jenks [Steve Jenkins] and the manager, they're both very competitive people and they know their football inside out.

"You couldn't have two better people in charge and, with the team they've got, I'm sure they'll win it."

Williams came on for the last 10 minutes and said it was good to be back at Edgar Street.

"I've always had fond memories of this place, it's where my career started and I owe a lot to this football club," he said.

"It was good to be back."

Williams felt yesterday's match was very competitive between two good sides.

"Both teams were patched up, but all in all I'm very pleased to get a win against a very strong Hereford team," he said.

"It was a good start for us and once you go 1-0 up it puts you on the front foot.

"I don't think we coped with Hereford's shape in the first half, especially after we scored, so we had to change that, but I thought it was a good game with two good teams out there."

Merthyr finished the game with 10 men after centre-back Rhys Baggridge was sent off for an apparent elbow on Jamie Cuss.

"If it's a sending off, it's a sending off," admitted Williams.

"I actually didn't see it, but a few of their players were convinced it was an elbow and obviously the crowd's reaction suggested it was.

"I won't comment on it too much, we just have to deal with it."