HEREFORD Pegasus joint manager Mark Hibbard has challenged his players to earn a place in the opening league game of the season.

Pegasus travel to city rivals Hereford Lads Club in the opening game of the Hellenic Premier Division next Tuesday (August 2).

Former Lads Club player Hibbard will head to his former club along with new signing Sam Pearson who featured in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Black Country Rangers.

“He looks fit this year which is a major plus and he’s come in from Lads Club,” said Hibbard talking about Pearson.

“He’s done really well in pre-season and hopefully for the rest of the season he will carry on. I think we will all be looking to start on Tuesday (against Lads Club).

“We’ve got another friendly on Saturday so it is down to them boys who gets in the team. If they play well then they will be playing the following Tuesday.

“It’s probably one of biggest games that we’ll have as a local derby, we will see who is ready on the day.

“The teams picks itself, whoever is playing well will play. At the moment there are four or five who are guaranteed and the next will be fighting.”

Black County Rangers, who play in the West Midlands League, took a 17th minute lead through a headed goal.

Pearson was in action for Peggy on 20 minutes cutting inside before firing his effort wide of the far post and then five minutes later he saw another effort saved.

Five minutes before the break Pearson had another opportunity after a Carlos Moreira corner fell into his path but his deflected effort was saved.

Bang on half-time Pearson was forced over inside the box and rewarded with a penalty which Kyle Panniers dispatched into the bottom corner to equalise.

Just moments into the second half the visitors had the chance to regain the lead but the Pegasus trialist made a fine save when one-on-one with his opponent before repeating his heroics moments later.

The same trialist goalkeeper made another fine on the hour mark palming a Black Country effort away.

Straight up the other end Pegasus broke quickly and Cawley Cox met an inviting cross at the back post but headed wide.

Saul Thomas was next to test the visitors’ goal on 71 minutes but saw his initial shot and rebound saved from close range by the goalkeeper.

Thomas then turned provider with 12 minutes remaining finding Moreira with his cross but the midfielder steered wide from a tight angle.

Six minutes from time the visitors scored the winner with a sweetly hit free-kick from the edge of the penalty box.