Bolton Wanderers impress in Jamie Pitman’s benefit match at Hereford United

Goals from Chris Eagles, Darren Pratley and Kevin Davies gave the 2,250 fans a glimpse of Premier League quality but Hereford, after two defeats against Conference opposition, gave a much more promising display.

Hereford started well but a foul by Ryan Green on England international Kevin Davies 30 yards out conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position on 15 minutes.

The ball was touched to Chris Eagles who smashed the ball into the net who Adam Bartlett only able to get a slight touch.

Within a minute, only a good save by Bartlett prevented Mark Davies from doubling the lead.

But Hereford should have been back on level terms on 24 minutes.

A superb pass from Green sent Joe Colbeck away on the right and he crossed for Stuart Fleetwood who sidefooted wide of an open goal.

Hereford were producing some good football and Delroy Facey should have done better when Harry Pell’s pass sent him clear.

As Bolton made a lively start to the second period, Kevin Davies pounced on a mistake by Stam but Bartlett came to the rescue with a smart save.

The Bulls keeper then made a good double save from the impressive Eagles.

Joe Heath, though, had to come to Bartlett’s assistance with a goalline clearance after good work by Fabrice Muamba had set up Petrov.

Bolton added a second on 59 minutes when substitute Darren Pratley received the ball in what appeared an offside position before turning, advancing and firing past Bartlett.

United’s offside trap was sprung again two minutes later when Kevin Davies raced on to a pass from Petrov to clip a shot over Bartlett.

Hereford made a couple of substitutions and moved on to the attack with Colbeck, their best attacker, driving in a low shot which was well held by Bob Lainton.

The biggest ovation of the night was reserved for Pitman’s first appearance in a Bulls shirt since the play-off final at Leicester.

The Bulls boss replaced Lunt with 13 minutes remaining and, although carrying a little more weight than in his playing days, showed that his organisational and passing skills are still in good order.

A neat pass to McQuilkin ended with the young midfielder curling a shot just the wrong side of an upright.

BULLS FACTFILE PRE-season is about getting everyone fit and getting them through to the main event, which is the first game of the season.

The players need to be fit and to have enough match practice under their belts to ensure that their first 90 minutes does not affect them when they come to that first game.

And I think we have done that.

It has been tough at times because of the numbers we have had - you cannot play people for 90 minutes in every game.

We had to introduce our younger professionals such as Tyler Weir and Kyle McCarthy to gain experience and there were a few triallists introduced to give the main players a rest.

There have been some very good points - our trip to Spain was a fantastic experience and very worthwhile.

We played a decent fixture and the lads got together and enjoyed it a lot.

The spirit we created over there was fantastic and I hope that will give us something over the course of the season.

It has also been good to be able to bring in some younger players and two of them have played, and been involved, in the first-team.

They are just 16 and the sort of lads we want to bring on.

People will have to be patient with that aspect of it and with the fact that we are trying to nurture them. To gain experience of playing with the first-team at that age is fantastic for them and is a great way of showing that we are moving forward as a club.

I really hope that the fans will be patient with us - last year was a very tough season and it will be tough again this time around.

We have a number of players who do not fit into what I am trying to do. They are taking a proportion of our budget and do not figure in my plans and so it is frustrating that we are not able to freshen things up and do what we want to do.

My hands are tied to some extent but I have to get on with it and accept that it's just the way it is.

Accordingly, I hope that people will understand that we have learned things after last year but it remains a big transitional period for the club - what I need is to have the time and the patience allowed me to have an effect on the club.

We have a good enough squad to compete at a good level this year and must make sure that we keep everyone fit.

If not, it will become very difficult.

Survival is still a key aim - you do not go from being a relegation candidate to a play-off contender overnight.

It may happen but we have to be realistic, make the most of what we have and try to use the loan market so that we can compete with the better teams in the division.

With the majority of our performances last year, we showed that we are capable of doing that.

My benefit match on Monday was a fantastic occasion.

I think Owen Coyle and his Bolton team enjoyed the occasion. I believe they appreaciated the way we tried to play, how good the pitch was and how well they were looked after. We have made a great connection in that respect as well.

Thanks to everyone who turned up - I had a great day and was probably the best player when I came on!

Ð Jamie Pitman in action in his benefit match against Bolton Wanderers.

113102-16 Hereford: Bartlett; Purdie, Stam, Green, Heath; Colbeck, Lunt, McQuilkin, Pell, Fleetwood; Facey. Subs: Hoult, Townsend (for Stam), Arquin (for Facey), Kovacs, Weir, Williams (for Colbeck), Pitman (for Lunt).

Bolton: Lainton, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Eagles, Reo Coker, Muamba, Petrov, K Davies, M Davies.

Subs: Jaaskelainen, Mears (for Steinsson), Klasnic, Pratley (for Reo Coker), Wheater (for Knight), Blake (for Petrov) Referee: Phil Gibbs.

Attendance: 2,250.

Goals: Eagles, 15 min, 0-1; Pratley, 59 min, 0-2; K Davies, 61 min, 0-3.