A QUICK start saw Hereford score twice inside the opening seven minutes on their way to beating West Brom under-21s 3-1 in their second pre-season match.

Lewis Hudson gave Paul Caddis’ side a third minute lead before Jason Cowley’s header doubled their advantage.

A moment of miss-communication resulted in Eseosa Sule pulling a goal back, only for Cowley to secure the win with his second of the game.

"I’m really pleased, I thought there were a lot of good things in the game," said Caddis.

"We obviously got off to a great start with the two goals.  I understand that the biggest thing in pre-season is getting minutes, but I want to win. I want to win games of football.

“We've got to try and install that winning mentality into the football club as a whole.

"I’m pleased to win the game, pleased to get the minutes, there was a lot of good stuff."

The Bulls hit the ground running opening the scoring with their first purposeful attack on three minutes when Alex Babos’ corner was headed down by Mark Derricott and Hudson was on hand to prod the ball home.

It was 2-0 with seven minutes on the clock after Cosmos Matwasa created space for Chay Tilt whose clipped cross was headed home by Cowley.

Tilt was back in action on 17 minutes  crossing for the head of Cowley again, whose effort was saved.

Albion played their way into the half and on 20 minutes Sule cut inside and sent an inviting cross across goal for Adriel  Walker, but the ball evaded him.

West Brom goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead was then forced into action twice firstly denying Babos’ low free-kick and then moments later Hudson’s effort.

Albion’s deficit was halved on 31 minutes when Lawson D’Ath was caught on the ball resulting in Reyes Cleary finding Sule to net.

The visitors could have been level on 38 minutes after Cleary and Sule combined again, but young Hereford goalkeeper Shay Sterry was alert to the danger.

Hereford went close again before the break as Cowley won the ball which deflected kindly for Andy Williams who volley flew just wide.

Caddis brought on his assistant Adam Rooney at half-time and he made an immediate impact capitalising on a goalkeeping error, but the Albion shot stopper saved his blushes.

It was 3-1 on 55 minutes as Babos’ long throw-in was played into the path of Cowley who rifles the ball home.

Making his return Yusifu Ceesay tried his luck at goal from outside the box, but his low and driven effort flew wide.

On his debut Matt Preston sent a pin-point ball for Jack Tolley whose his effort saved as the game ended 3-1.

Hereford: Sterry, Derricott, Howkins, Hudson, Matwesa, Tate, D'Ath, Tilt, Babos, Williams, Cowley

Subs: Preston, Teixeira, Tolley, Ceesay, Rooney, Trialist x3.