Red hot United blast magnificent seven

Having scored six against Guernsey at the weekend, Hastings United's footballers went one better with a 7-0 victory at home to Herne Bay tonight (Tuesday).
Harry Stannard struck twice in the opening three-and-a-half minutes. Picture courtesy Scott WhiteHarry Stannard struck twice in the opening three-and-a-half minutes. Picture courtesy Scott White
Harry Stannard struck twice in the opening three-and-a-half minutes. Picture courtesy Scott White

Six different players were on the scoresheet in a one-sided Ryman Football League Division One South fixture as United made it 16 points from a possible 18 on home turf.

United got off to a dream start with two goals in the first three-and-a-half minutes. They took just 36 seconds to open their account, Harry Stannard turning home Frannie Collin's inviting ball across goal with the aid of a deflection.

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Stannard swiftly doubled his and United's tally with a very similar second goal. The ball broke to Matt Bodkin, who delivered another dangerous ball across goal for Stannard to tap home.

Richard Davies scored his first Hastings United goal. Picture courtesy Scott WhiteRichard Davies scored his first Hastings United goal. Picture courtesy Scott White
Richard Davies scored his first Hastings United goal. Picture courtesy Scott White

United went three-up in the 18th minute. Bodkin blocked an attempted Herne Bay clearance and the ball broke to Collin, who drove forward before burying a low drive into the corner from outside the area.

Kane Phillip blazed a decent chance over the crossbar for Herne Bay seconds before away goalkeeper Toby Wood did well to hold Stannard's 25-yard drive. United stopper Lenny Pidgeley later made his only save of the night from Stuart Zanone's angled shot.

United made it 4-0 in the 43rd minute. Stephen Butcher delivered a lovely cross from the right for Jack Harris to score with an emphatic header.

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Harris was denied by Wood when clean through early in the second half before United added a fifth in the 55th minute. Sam Cruttwell's inswinging corner from the right was headed home at the near post by Richard Davies.

Bright Temba opened his account for the season with the sixth goal. Picture courtesy Scott WhiteBright Temba opened his account for the season with the sixth goal. Picture courtesy Scott White
Bright Temba opened his account for the season with the sixth goal. Picture courtesy Scott White

Bright Temba headed over from Butcher's cross before scoring number six in the 62nd minute. Bodkin intercepted a Herne Bay defensive header and surged past his man before pulling the ball back for Temba to roll into the far corner.

Bodkin then blasted a penalty over the crossbar after Cruttwell was impeded in the box, while Temba stabbed wide of the far post from Bodkin's ball across goal and Cruttwell shot wide from Bradley Pritchard's knock down.

The seventh goal finally arrived in the 85th minute and it was the pick of the bunch. Pritchard released Sam Cole down the left and the full-back drove to the edge of the box before firing a terrific shot into the near top corner.

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United are up to 12th in the table and are six points behind Cray Wanderers, who occupy the final play-off spot of fifth, with two games in hand.

United: Pidgeley, Butcher, Cole, Cruttwell, Davies, Rowe, Bodkin, Cogan, Harris, Collin (Temba 30), Stannard (Pritchard 71). Subs not used: Watt, Nicholls. Attendance: 311.

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