Hastings come from 2-0 down to win 9-2

Hastings United Football Club came from 2-0 down to win 9-2 away to East Grinstead Town tonight (Tuesday).
Daniel Ajakaiye scored four of Hastings United's goals in tonight's 9-2 win away to East Grinstead Town. Picture courtesy Scott WhiteDaniel Ajakaiye scored four of Hastings United's goals in tonight's 9-2 win away to East Grinstead Town. Picture courtesy Scott White
Daniel Ajakaiye scored four of Hastings United's goals in tonight's 9-2 win away to East Grinstead Town. Picture courtesy Scott White

Chris Agutter’s side scored eight second half goals without reply in a remarkable Bostik League Velocity Trophy first round tie.

Daniel Ajakaiye netted four times to take his tally for the season to 14, Antonio Walker bagged a brace, and there was one apiece for Jamie Fielding, Sam Cruttwell and Kelvin Ogboe.

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See also: * Hastings knocked off top after first loss* Hastings end first month with perfect six wins* Hastings claim higher level scalp in FA CupIn an all-South East Division affair, Grinstead took a 28th minute lead against the run of play when Robin Deen fired into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Although Hastings goalkeeper Charlie Horlock pulled off a superb double save, Grinstead doubled their advantage moments later when Jack Conway ran through to score.

Hastings got one back before the break when Ajakaiye latched on to a Cruttwell pass and slotted past home goalkeeper Tommy Taylor.

The visitors went from 2-1 behind to 3-2 ahead with a quickfire double early in the second half. Fielding equalised with a header from Dayshonne Golding’s corner and moments later Ajakaiye’s shot from just outside the area slipped through Taylor’s grasp.

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The goal frenzy continued as Walker cut in from the left touchline and drove a low shot past the goalkeeper to make it 4-2.

Ajakaiye squandered a terrific headed opportunity before Cruttwell added number five with a 25-yard free kick in the 71st minute. Shortly afterwards, Walker grabbed his second with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box.

Ogboe came off the bench to score the seventh Hastings goal in the 80th minute and Ajakaiye completed his hat-trick with a simple finish for number eight.

Ajakaiye hit the post after rounding the goalkeeper, but moments later did get his fourth when he burst clear before slotting home. The jet-heeled forward had the ball in the net for a fifth time only to be denied by an offside flag.

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Hastings: Horlock, Vickers, Beale (Mensah), Cruttwell, Howlett-Mundle, Golding, Lovatt, Ajakaiye, Walker (Ogboe), Fielding, Ibrahim (Adams). Subs not used: Christie, Dullaway.

Hastings will host Thamesmead Town or Merstham in round two, but next up is a long trip to Leiston in Emirates FA Cup second round qualifying this coming Saturday.