HEREFORD are champions of the Southern League Division One South and West after thrashing injury-ravaged Salisbury 4-0 in front of a season’s-best crowd at the Ray Mac.

Whites were outclassed by a rampant Bulls who, with nearest rivals Taunton and Tiverton both losing at Evesham United and Wimborne respectively, cannot be caught with a 16-point lead at the summit.

It is likely they will be promoted to the Southern Premier.

Whites had a mountain to climb after going 2-0 down within the opening 12 minutes.

Mike Symons opened the scoring with a header in the fifth minute before Jamie Molyneux bundled home an effort following a corner.

Pablo Haysham unleashed a scorching strike from 25 yards out which arrowed into the top corner to see Bulls home and dry on the half hour mark.

Watched by 1,807 fans, the hosts attempted to spark a revival moments after the restart.

Kane O’Keefe rocked the woodwork when Alex Harris parried Lewis Benson’s free kick before Tommy Wright’s audacious effort was saved.

But in the 58th minute Symons added his second and Hereford’s fourth when smashing home Mike McGrath’s cross on the left.

Later, Symons came close to grabbing a hat-trick with two close-range efforts, but both missed the target, while Eddie Perrett was thwarted at the far post for the hosts.

After the full-time whistle went, the hundreds of Hereford fans burst onto the pitch to celebrate back-to-back promotions with the players.

Meanwhile, the double defeats for Whites, coupled with Evesham winning, sees them slip down to fifth place. They have a game in hand, which is on Tuesday night against Bridgwater Town at home (7.45pm).

Boss Steve Claridge, who gave debuts to new signings Franklyn Clarke and Jesse Waller-Lassen, told JournalSport: “Hereford were clinical which, at times, was astonishing. They’ve had four chances and scored three of them."

“I’m not sure if 4-0 was a true reflection of the game and, I think if we had taken a couple of the gilt-edged chances we had, it could have been a fairer reflection.

“I’ve got no excuses. Hereford were the better side and I’ll shake their hands and congratulate them as they are the best team in the league but we had eight players missing.”

Salisbury 0

Hereford 4

Whites: Ball, Colson, Perrett, Wheeler, Whelan, O’Keefe (Herbert, 82), Benson, Clarke, Wright, Waller-Lassen, Mundy (Roberts, 65).

Subs not used: Flint and Blake.

Referee: Martin Underhay (Weymouth).

Att: 1,807.