Goals flow in Hastings cup win

The U’s looked to be cruising to victory after going in at half-time four goals to the good but a brave fightback saw Bridges score three times in 14 minutes.

Sean Ray’s side finally settled matters with two more goals before the visitors took the game’s goal tally into double figures.

Fielding a stronger looking side than possibly expected, Hastings took the lead after only five minutes when Scott McDonald took advantage of a mix-up in the Bridges defence.

Further goals came from Bailo Camara, Dee Okojie and Danny Ellis, while, at the other end, debutant keeper Daniyar Tashpulatov saved superbly from Tim Rivers.

Bridges began their unlikely comeback in the 56th minute through Marlon Maxwell. Tom Bold’s excellent strike made it 4-2 and alarm bells started to ring when Charlie Cooke rifled home from distance.

A second for Camara soothed the nerves before 48-year-old Hastings coach Gary Abbott scored the sixth within minutes of coming on as a substitute.

Joel O’Hara rounded off the scoring with a header but it was Hastings who went into the last 16.

Hastings (4-3-3): Tashpulatov; Elgar, Manning, Richardson (Dicken 29), Whitehead; Dixon, Ellis (Abbott 82), Crellin; Camara, Okojie, McDonald (Bachellier 62). Subs not used: Nyathi, White. Referee: Oliver Jackson (Sittingbourne). Attendance: 155.