HEREFORD Pegasus' joint manager Mick Panniers is looking for a response from his side when they host table-toppers Malmesbury Victoria on Saturday.

Panniers watched his weakened Pegasus side knocked off top spot in the Hellenic One West by Malmesbury last weekend, following a 3-2 defeat by county rivals Wellington.

However, after beating Saturday's visitors away on penalties in the Bluefin Sports Supplementary Cup, following a 1-1 draw, Panniers is confident his side can hand out a title blow.

"We would like to bounce back," said Panniers.

"We will have four or five back on Saturday so we should be almost at full strength.

"We played them in the cup and are capable of beating Malmesbury especially on the 3G pitch.

"They are quite a big powerful side so we will be looking to play around them on Saturday.

"I would be disappointed if we don't beat them having played them and having seen what they have got."

Despite missing five of their starting 11 against Wellington, Pegasus led 2-1 at the break with Harry Waybourne and Connor Davies-Austin netting.

However, Welly responded through a Saul Thomas brace to take derby honours 3-2.

"It was touch and go in both halves and it was a very close game," added Panniers.

"They edged it in the end, but if we had taken our chances just after half-time we could have made it 3-1, but they have gone on to win it in the end.

"We had a lot of players missing and you can't take five starters out, they were a big miss through the middle of the side.

"To be fair it still could have gone either way. With what we had out I thought we did very well and couldn't have worked any harder.

"I said to the boys afterwards when Wellington were celebrating to put that in their locker and remember for the next game and return fixture."