A SOLITARY Nathan Hughes goal was enough to see Hereford FC beat Pershore Town in the first round of the Polymac Packaging Midland Football League Cup, watched by 567 supporters.

To put that into context, last year's final between Long Eaton United and Rocester was watched by 227 people at Walsall's Bescot Stadium.

Hughes struck after 15 minutes thanks to some fine work by Carlos Moreira.

Hereford had chances in the second half, but Andy Yarnold made some fine saves in the Pershore goal.

However, the Bulls always looked comfortable, with goalkeeper Harvey Rivers being merely a spectator for most of the game.

Teenagers Lewis Clarke, Jay Richmond and Matt McDonald, all Under-18 players, featured tonight, while new signing Ryan Green was in attendance.

MATCH FACTS

Hereford: Rivers, Clarke, Richmond, Bonella, Willets, Kontic-Coveney, Moreira (Page 67), Birch, Hughes (Wheatley 69) Gameson (McDonald 68), Miller.

Subs not used: Summers, Edwards.

Pershore: Yarnold, Webb, Guest, Walker, Mitchell (Wilkes 36), Donnelly, Griffiths, Roche (Snape 69), Walsh, Smith (Hall 65), Carter.

Referee: Alan Robinson.

Attendance: 567.