Holders EP smash seven in cup win

Liam Baitup bagged four goals and strike-partner Shaheen Sadough hit a brace in a comfortable afternoon’s work for the County League Division 1 leaders.

Baitup gave EP the lead with a cool finish on ten minutes but Common were level on 23 minutes when East Preston switched off at the back and keeper Simon Lehkyj, on his debut with Joel Harding unavailable, brought down a Common player.

Russell Eldridge scored from the penalty spot but EP went back ahead just three minutes later as Baitup found space in the penalty area and slotted home.

East Preston went 3-1 ahead on 34 minutes when Joe Shelley – who netted the winner in last season’s final with a penalty against Broadbridge Heath – scored from the spot, after a foul on Darren Boswell.

Sadough headed home Niall O’Hagan’s cross for the fourth on 65 minutes and he notched his second 11 minutes from time. Baitup’s shot came back off a post and Sadough was on hand to tap home.

Baitup then lobbed the keeper but hit the bar, before Little Common’s Martin Denny made it 5-2 with three minutes to go.

Baitup completed his hat-trick a minute later and then got his fourth on 89 minutes when he struck following a long kick forward from Lehkyj.

East Preston manager Dominic Di Paola said: “It was a good win and it’s always good to get into the next round.”