JOEL Edwards says he is loving leading Hereford FC out for games even if he was a little surprised to be given the nod.

The former Westfields defender has been captain for the majority of Hereford's pre-season friendlies and wore the armband for Saturday's game against Pegasus Juniors.

"Beads mentioned something about a bit of leadership this season, but to actually be a captain and lead them out has been a bit of an honour and I've loved it," said Edwards.

"I'm 23 now but we've got a young team in and it's good to be one of the experienced ones to push them on.

"The changing room is getting louder and talkative, which is good."

Hereford won their latest game 2-0 thanks to two first-half goals from Adam Page.

Edwards said it was a good work-out for the team.

"I think Peggy are more realistic to the teams that we will come against, they're more physical which is good for us and is what we need," he said.

"The lads have to expect that and it was another good run out.

"Once we are on top we need to go at teams and it was good to see some good goals from Adam.

"He looked sharp and decent."

Edwards was also impressed with new signings John Mills and Pablo Heysham, who have joined the club from Didcot Town.

"They came on for the last 20 and looked neat and tidy," said Edwards.

"There were a few one-two link-ups with each other which is what we need.

"Obviously it's going to take a while to get into it being a new team and knowing each other and how we play, but things are about right and what we have needed."

Hereford manager Pete Beadle said Pegasus made it tough at times and was a bit disappointed that they didn't score more goals.

"They were well organised and worked hard and made it quite hard for us at times," said Beadle.

"We had a 10 minute spell at the start when they were in the game and made a game of it, then we sort of dominated for about 20 minutes in between that and probably should have scored more goals.

"We had chances and half-chances, things didn't quite drop and it would have been nice to have put it to bed and get the game sorted with maybe two or three more goals, but it wasn't to be and they hung in there and made a good fist of the second half."

This was the first time that Beadle had seen Page in action due to him being away for last week's friendly at Wellington.

Beadle said he was impressed with what he saw.

Page is due to finalise a loan deal with Hereford from Cheltenham Town.

"He looks very dynamic in the way he plays," said Beadle.

"Technically he looks sound and took his goals very well."

Siddiq Grant, who has come from Hartpury College also started for Hereford, while former Westfields player Dean Lee came off the bench after twisting his knee after falling off a ladder at work

Dale Hodge went close to opening the scoring for Hereford in the 21st minute, but his free-kick was pushed away by Pegasus goalkeeper Josh Loade.

But Loade was unable to keep out Page's shot two minutes later and the Hereford midfielder grabbed his second moments later thanks to a crisp finish.

It should have been 3-0 by half-time, but Nathan Hughes somehow put his effort wide when well positioned.

A melee in the middle of the park involving Hereford's Rhys King and a Pegasus player saw both players leave the field 25 minutes before the end before being allowed back on by referee Tom Jones.

Mills and Heysham later came on for Hereford and linked up well.

Mills, who scored 57 goals for Didcot last season, particularly posed a threat and came close to scoring, but his shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Loade.

Match Facts

Pegasus: Loade, Rogers, L Hughes, Matthews, Allam, Worthing, Price, Brimble, Hawkins, Mortlock, Lear.

Subs: Davies, Hyde, Craddock, Beeston, Panniers, Payne.

Hereford: Lovett, Haines, Edwards, Grant, T James, Summers, Hodge, Bonella, N Hughes, Purdie, Page.

Subs: Miller, Wheatley, Pearson, Heysham, Mills, King, Lee, Rivers.

Goals: Page 22 and 25.

Referee: Tom Jones.

Attendance: Around 1,100.