Pegasus Juniors 1 Hereford United 4.

A HAT-trick from Nick Chadwick and a Simon Johnson strike moved Hereford through the first round of the HFA Senior Floodlit Cup.

But they were made to fight all the way by their city rivals and had to wait until the last six minutes of the match before making the game safe.

Hereford fielded a team of mainly fringe players although Dean Beckwith, who has been out of the first-team in recent matches, had a chance to boost his match fitness.

There was also an opportunity for local youngster Joel Edwards at left-back and triallist Tyrone Berry on the right of midfield.

Pegasus got off to a great start when Simon Gwynne, whose brother, the United midfielder Sam, was watching from the stand, raced on to an excellent pass from Anthony Robbins and slipped a shot past Craig Samson.

Samson’s opposite number Stuart Turpin pulled off a couple of good saves to keep Juniors in front.

But the goalkeeper turned villain in the 23rd minute when he brought down Matt Done, earning himself a yellow card and conceding a penalty.

Chadwick smashed home the spot-kick bit showed a more delicate touch a minute later, chipping the ball over Turpin after a neat exchange with Johnson.

Pegasus should have levelled three minutes into the second period when some good work on the left by Tom Harding presented Ben Price with a glorious opening which he wasted by blazing over.

After that, some good goalkeeping by Turpin and competent work in the Pegasus defence, where skipper Bobby Aldrich stood out, kept Hereford waiting until six minutes from time until their third goal.

Then Chadwick flicked on neatly to Johnson whose shot across Turpin found the corner of the net.

It only remained for Chadwick to complete his hat-trick which he did with a tap-in from Tyler Weir’s cross in stoppage time.

Hereford: Samson; MacLeod, Breen, Beckwith (Evans, 88 min), Edwards; Berry (Weir, 79 min), O’Leary, Jones, Done; Chadwick, Johnson (Freddi, 88 min).

Pegasus Juniors: Turpin; Cartwright, Aldrich, Mowen, Hart (Jones, 28 min), Robbins, Price (Smith, 73 min), Sobocinski (Laurie, 69 min), Mortlock, Harding, Gwynne. Subs not used: Watkins, Davies.

Referee: Tony Baker.

Attendance: 157.

Goals: Gwynne, 6 min, 1-0; Chadwick, 23 min, pen, 1-1; Chadwick, 24 min, 1-2; Johnson, 84 min, 1-3; Chadwick, 90 min, 1-4.