HEREFORD United gave their fans a welcome pre-Christmas tonic last night by easily seeing off Nationwide Conference leaders Yeovil Town in their LDV Vans Trophy first round tie at Edgar Street.

For United it was a welcome return to goalscoring form after strikes by Gavin Williams, John Snape, Matt Clarke and substitute James Quiggin helped to set aside memories of the previous two scoreless Saturdays at Edgar Street.

But for Yeovil it was a rare defeat in a season in which they have carried almost all before them. This reverse was their first in 17 games and it was a first loss for Glovers boss Colin Addison in his 12th game in charge.

The former United hero was quick, however, to pay tribute to his old club. "There are no excuses, Hereford played very well, they wanted it more and gave us a good thrashing," he said.

After a fairly even opening, Hereford's success was built around a burst of three goals in nine minutes either side of half-time.

Williams, United's leading scorer, made no mistake on 40 minutes when he turned in Phil Robinson's shot from a cross by Paul Sturgess.

The best goal of the game came two minutes later when Snape lashed home a tremendous 25-yard shot.

Williams almost added a third on the stroke of half-time, losing control of the ball when clear of the defence, but the Bulls only had to wait four minutes into the second period for the tie to be put beyond doubt.

Skipper Ian Wright headed a McIndoe corner back across goal and Clarke was waiting to bundle the ball home from close range.

Unfortunately, the excitement of scoring his third goal of the season caused a mental aberration in Clarke who collected a needless booking for taking his shirt off in celebration.

Weale, who had an excellent game despite conceding four goals, was left helpless as Quiggin applied the final touch when Wright headed another McIndoe corner back across goal.

Hereford now play Second Division Reading in the next round at Edgar Street on January 9.

HEREFORD: Cooksey 7, Lane 8, Sturgess 7, Robinson 7, Wright 8, Gardiner 9, Clarke 7, Snape 7 (Rodgerson, 78 min), Giddings 7, Williams 8 (Quiggin, 86 min), McIndoe 8. Subs not used: Baker, Moran, Wall.