HEREFORD United player Javia Roberts said he did not know what to expect from the Bulls' fans yesterday.

Roberts put in a man-of-the-match display for Jon Taylor's men against St Neots Town and was unlucky to be on the losing side.

Around 300 Hereford fans staged a vocal protest prior to kick-off.

However, 568 supporters stuck by the team and watched their opening game of the Southern Premier League season.

"We were unsure what to expect," said Roberts, a 20-year-old full-back/winger who joined the club from Solihull Moors.

"When we were warming up before kick-off, we could hear a lot of fans protesting and no-one was in here, so I was surprised to see the amount of fans clap us off after the game.

"My message to the fans who didn't come is that you have great players here and you expect a lot from us.

"We have the desire to make the fans happy and to get the fans back.

"We didn't know what happened last season, we just came this season to see the club.

"It is a good club with a great set-up and is nice to play in front of so many people.

"They said that they (St Neots) were the best and I think we were better than them.

"So, I think we can get promotion."

Goalkeeper Luke Williams echoed Roberts' views.

Williams was on the bench for Aldershot last season when Hereford secured a dramatic 2-1 win at the Recreation Ground which had seemingly secured the Bulls' Conference Premier status.

Williams was released by the Shots after five years and was unlucky yesterday to see St Neots' Nathan Frater smash home a rebound after he saved Matthew Nolan's penalty.

"The fans that were here were absolutely fantastic and clapped us all," said Williams.

"We got here early, fair play to the gaffer, I think he wanted to keep us from the animosity off the pitch.

"All we want to do is please the fans which hopefully we did yesterday.

"I would love to stay here, it's a good club with a great set-up.

"Hopefully we can do well in the league."