HEREFORD’S new loanees impressed manager Russell Slade on their debuts as competition grows in his squad.

Forest Green Rovers loanee Taylor Allen made his first Bulls start while Nottingham Forest youngster Victor Sodeinde came on as a second half substitute.

When asked his opinion on pair’s debut, Slade said: “I thought he (Allen) was excellent and worked really hard.

“You could see his capability of taking people on with a lovely left foot and did a job for the team. Victor (Sodeinde) worked tirelessly, he’s an attacker but he was back ferreting and trying to win the ball back for us. Winning tackles and things like that, it was a difficult game for those two to be involved in on their debuts.

“They joined In the fight and that was the important thing for me. You couldn’t go on the pitch today and not be prepared to roll your sleeves up another inch or two.”

Jarod Hodgkiss also returned to the Bulls side for the first time in over a month while recent signings Kelsey Mooney and Stephen Dawson again featured.

“He (Hodkiss) is important because of his knowledge and his experience,” added Slade.

“(Stephen) Dawson in there as well as tireless, he never stopped talking and trying to organise things. He was very shrewd and clever on a couple of occasions and won us a couple of important free-kicks when we needed to settle the game down a little bit and manage the game properly.

“He did that effectively and I was pleased that we had him in the team today.”

Meanwhile there was no place in the matchday squad for Mike Symons, Rowan Liburd, Tom Owen-Evans or Bradley Ash who all travelled with the team.

“We’ve now got competition for places and that’s the important thing as well,” added Slade.

“There were four bodies with us that didn’t figure in the group. I said to them (the side) I want continuity like I’m sure they want continuity but to get that you have to get consistency.

“Consistency comes before continuity and that’s what we’re striving for.”

 Hereford have another free weekend before their home re-arranged fixture against Alfreton Town on November 12.

“We will be working with the new guys and should be close to getting (Martin) Riley back as he’s in full training now so,” added Slade.

“From that point of view the signs are picking up and competition for places is not a bad thing, it’s a healthy situation to be in.

“There might be the odd one who might get the opportunity now to go and play some games (elsewhere).

“We want them to get games because I don’t want them sitting at home wasting away because if we need them and have a little bit of an injury crisis like we had a moderate to high injury problem with about seven or eight out at one stage.”