Herefordshire FA 0 Somerset FA 4

HEREFORDSHIRE, who had reached the third round stage of the FA Youth Cup three times in recent seasons, never looked capable of achieving that goal in this first-round fixture at Bromyard on Saturday.

After a bright start, the home team played second fiddle throughout the game against a more determined Somerset side who now travel to play Worcestershire in the next round.

The first real chance of the game saw Shane Kingston's low drive just pass the wrong side of the post after 14 minutes but Herefordshire hit back five minutes later when Toan Ravenscroft's shot beat the visiting keeper, only to sail just wide of the upright.

Somerset side scored the only goal of the first period after 36 minutes when, following a goalmouth scramble, Joe Gomes netted via a defender.

The visitors added a second goal four minutes into the second period when the ball was lost in midfield, giving Neil Graydon the chance to shoot past Tom Llewellyn.

Herefordshire had a good 15-minute spell after this and an attacking run and shot from Neil Gardiner brought out a fine save from Matt Grimes in the visitors' goal.

In the 89th minute the visitors scored a third goal from the penalty spot following a foul in the area, Chris Lane netting, and in the final minute a 20-yard shot from Gomes flew into the top corner of the net.

Two goals in the final two minutes of the match put a rather flattering touch to the scoreline, but there was no disputing that Somerset were much the better team on the day.