Hereford United 4 Westfields 1

HEREFORD United retained the HFA Floodlit Senior Floodlit Cup at blazing hot Edgar Street on Tuesday evening against a Westfields side who produced a spirited display.

The Midland Alliance club showed up well and even fought back to get on level terms at one point when Mark Davis set up the opportunity for Mark Hibbard to blast home from close range.

Hereford had had the better of the early play but it was Westfields who came closest to opening the scoring on 22 minutes when Karl Lewis produced a fine save to keep out an Alex Hunt header and an even better stop to foil Davis' follow-up.

But three minutes later Hereford took the lead when Gareth Sheldon's corner reached Alan Connell at the far post and he drove the ball into the net through a crowd of players.

After Westfields had drawn level, Hereford regained the lead in rather bizarre circumstances seven minutes before the interval.

Westfields goalkeeper Jon Pugh tried to kick the ball clear but was swiftly closed down by Stuart Fleetwood and the ball rebounded from the former Cardiff City striker and into the net.

The unfortunate Pugh, who pulled off a number of fine saves on a busy night, had to shoulder some of the blame for Hereford's third goal 11 minutes into the second period.

Pugh and defender Jon Hill got in each other's way in trying to make a clearance and the keeper's weak punch was headed home by substitute Tim Sills from just outside the penalty area.

The keeper's self-belief must have been improved by an excellent save from a Sills header on 68 minutes but only the woodwork prevented Alex Jeannin and then the dangerous Sills from extending the Hereford lead shortly afterwards.

And the final Bulls goal five minutes from time would have defeated goalkeepers with a far more impressive CV than Pugh.

Midfielder Andy Ferrell won the ball 35 yards out and let fly with a left-foot drive which flashed into the net off a post before the keeper had even moved.

Hereford: Lewis, Travis, Jeannin, Ferrell, Mkandawire, Beckwith, Wallis, Gwynne, Connell (Williams 46 min), Fleetwood (Sills, 46 min), Sheldon (Purdie, 74 min). Subs not used: Brown, Rose

Westfields: Pugh, Price, Jinks, Winstone (Howes, 52 min), Hill, Hunt (Cuss, 74 min), Moon, Hibbard, Burton (Jefferson, 64 min), Davis, Beale. Subs not used: Hollingshead, Bridges.

Referee: A Baker.

Attendance: 410.

Goals: Connell, 25 min, 1-0; Hibbard, 32 min, 1-1; Fleetwood, 39 min, 2-1; Sills, 57 min, 3-1; Ferrell, 85 min, 4-1.

Bookings: Westfields - Jinks, foul, 78 min.