Full-time: Hereford United 2 Bristol City 0 (From Hereford Times)

Full-time: Hereford United 2 Bristol City 0

9:17pm Friday 3rd August 2012 in Reports By Richard Prime

A FIRST-half strike from Marlon Jackson and penalty from Harry Pell after the break helped the Bulls to end their pre-season programme unbeaten.

Hereford gave trialist Ashley Salmons a second chance to impress when they took on a very inexperienced Bristol City side at Edgar Street .

With Ryan Bowman injured after the clash against Westfields, Hereford fielded only Marlon Jackson of their recognised strikers, although Harry Pell was given a more advanced role.

Jackson had a special incentive to succeed after being released from Ashton Gate at the end of last season.

And the young striker almost made an early impact with a flick from a Marley Watkins cross which clipped the bar on its way behind.

Jackson might have done better, though, when he cut inside on to his right foot but lifted his shot high over.

Jackson forced a 19th minute corner, United’s first of the game, from a Marley Watkins cross.

But skipper Luke Graham was penalised for pushing from Simon Clist’s cross.

Harry Pell forced a fine diving save from keeper Lewis Carey with a dipping 25-yard drive on 25 minutes.

Once again, however, the corner failed to bring a serious goalscoring chance.

Hereford continued to dominate play and carve out chances with Jackson flicking a 32nd minute header wide from Sam Clucas’ cross.

Jackson finally took advantage of the United dominance on 39 minutes.

Pell fed Jackson who slipped the ball inside to Jackson who side-stepped a defender before finishing with a neat right-foot shot.

The Bulls tried hard to build on their lead and Chris Carruthers had a shot deflected behind a couple of minutes before the interval.

Hereford had a nervous moment just before the interval when Dan Hanford missed his punch at a cross and the Bulls conceded a corner.

But the danger was cleared without serious alarm.

Hereford withdrew Salmons at half-time and replaced him with Sean Canham.

City, after seeing Jackson go close again at the start of the second period, had a rare opportunity shortly afterwards.

A clumsy challenge presented them with a free-kick 20 yards out but Lewis Hall lifted the shot high over.

After 63 minutes, Hereford were awarded a penalty when Clucas was clumsily felled by substitute Flavio Tavares.

Pell stepped up confidently to send goalkeeper Lewis Carey the wrong way from the spot.

City sparked to life briefly and Dan Hanford made a smart save to touch a drive from Bobby Reid behind for a corner.

But Hereford were soon back on the attack and a fierce shot by James McQuilkin almost surmised Carey.

And Pell curled an effort just wide with his left-foot eight minutes from the end.

Hereford should have had a second penalty three minutes from the end when Will Evans was fouled clearly within the area only for referee Kevin Morris to give a free-kick outside.

McQuilkin’s curling free-kick was easily held by Carey. Hereford: Hanford; Gallinagh (McQuilkin 68), Townsend, Graham (Stam 68), Carruthers (Dalibard 75); Watkins, Salmons (Canham 46), Clist, Clucas (Heath 68), Pell, Jackson (Evans 75). Sub not used: Connor.

Bristol City: Carey, Doyle (Castinheira 60), King, Stewart, Jones, Batten, Corrick, Edwards, Burns (Horgan 68), Reid, Hall (Tavares 60). Subs not used: Roden, Simms, John.

Referee: Kevin Morris (Hereford).

Attendance: 365 (including nine from Bristol City).

Goals: Jackson, 39 min, 1-0; Pell pen, 63 min, 2-0.