The first round of the Youth Alliance Cup brought a home tie against Oxford United. This competition starts as a mini-league and then moves onto the knockout stage.
The only change for the Bulls was Josh Wildig replacing Kyle McCarthy who is on a two week holiday in Florida. United made a sluggish start to the game giving the ball away in the second minute and then spending the next 10 in their own half.
As the quarter-hour mark passed Hereford began to venture into their opponents' half with crosses from Dean Lee and Josh Hunt forcing the Oxford keeper to make saves at his near post.
A corner also produced a far-post header from skipper Joe Lemar.
In goal for the Bulls, Mat Gwynne made a great double save to keep the scores level.
Midway through the half a Laurie Marsh cross was headed down by Josh Hunt for Dean Lee to smash the ball into the Oxford net.
The half-time whistle blew with Hereford a little fortunate to be ahead.
The resumption of the second half quickly saw the lead evaporate as Oxford scored from a corner three minutes into the second period.
The visitors took complete control of the game and were winning every ball they competed for. Within 15 minutes Oxford had scored a second and looked odds on to score more.
Skipper Joe Lemar was outpaced by the lively Woodley and he squared for the visitors' third. The pace and movement of the Oxford attack proved too good for the young Bulls and Mat Gwynne brought down Marsh as he broke through on goal.
The keeper then redeemed himself by saving the subsequent spot-kick. As the match moved into the final quarter Hereford were awarded a free-kick 20 yards from goal.
Will Loughman had earlier hit a fine low free-kick which warmed the Oxford keeper's hands. This time Loughman drilled his shot high into the visitors' net.
Normally this would have galvanised Hereford into action but instead it had that effect on the opponents, and when Gwynne spilled a corner Oxford reacted quicker and turned the ball into the net for their fourth and final goal.
The game finished 4-2, a very poor performance following two good ones.
Hereford United: Gwynne, Lemar, Wildig, (Thomas) Loughman, Croose, Matapo, Lee, Brimble, Biggs (Savage 60) Hunt, Marsh (Hackett 70).
Oxford United: Silver, Parish, Alderman, Hinchliff, Owen, Morris , West Woodley, Marsh, Mcoonan.
