HEREFORD United made it three pre-season wins out of four with a 13-1 goalscoring spectacular at Ludlow Town's impressive new Coors Stadium last night.
A sizeable crowd saw some excellent finishing by the Bulls as they officially opened the Midland Alliance club's new ground and comfortably eclipsed the seven-goal tally of Shrewsbury Town in a Shropshire Senior Cup tie two days previously.
Star of the show was triallist Danny Bertram who netted four times in the first 10 minutes to celebrate agreeing terms with United director of football Graham Turner.
The former West Brom youngster is due to sign his contract today although, said Turner: "You take nothing for granted in football."
Also figuring for United were full-back Nathan Ed-wards, who spent last season with Swindon Town, and former Shrewsbury midfielder Dean Craven, who did his prospects of landing a contract no harm at all with two second-half goals and a generally competent display on the left.
But the man to catch the eye in the early stages was Bertram who, after blasting home the opener in the second minute, used his considerable pace to race on to perceptive passes from Paul Parry (twice) and Craven to net in the sixth, eighth and 10th minutes.
After Darryl Smith set up Shaun Humphrey to pull a goal back in the 14th minute, Bertram turned provider with a teasing cross which Jamie Pitman despatched to make it 5-1 before he raced on to Jordan King's 38th minute pass to rack up the half dozen.
Both sides made a succession of substitutions after the interval but the changes only served to reinforce United's dominance as Parry's good work set up goals for Michael Rose and Danny Williams after 57 and 67 minutes respectively.
Craven clipped in a Williams cross for number nine on 72 minutes and United were in double figures a minute later when Martin Poole could only push out a Williams shot to King who crashed home the rebound.
After Craven and Williams had added their own personal seconds in the 77th and 85th minutes respectively, the last word went to unfortunate home defender Darren Leonard who guided a Parry cross past Poole for unlucky 13 two minutes from time.
HEREFORD: Baker (Ding 72 min), Edwards, Sawyers, Pitman (Rose 46 min), Teesdale (James 64 min), Moon (Tretton 64 min), King, Smith (Williams 46 min), Bertram (Guinan 64 min), Parry, Craven.
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