A typical Cup tie fought out in bright autumn sunshine this afternoon with both teams playing some excellent passing football for long periods.

 

The Wares suffered a serious blow in the first few minutes when back line dynamo Ben Hayden had to be substituted after having his nose broken in a clash just outside the home area. Jason Ferneé coming on in his place.

 

Edgware started well and dominated for the first quarter of an hour but the visitors did have a chance when Russell Elford, running in on the left but his shot was easily collected by Darren Bonfield the big Wares keeper 10 minutes into the first half.

 

The visitors started to find their feet and some incisive passing had the Wares chasing the game and it was Hastings that took first blood when Tom Poole scored 18 minutes in. Paul Marks and Johnny Moore were playing well in midfield but found it difficult to get through the tough visiting defenders and although Edgware battled hard they were not allowed to play there usual passing football by their Premier League opponents and we had to wait until injury time at the end of the first half before the Wares pulled one back. Gavin Harts corner into the area was slotted in by Jason Ferneé from amongst a melee of players.

 

Moore and Ngoyi combined to set up Marks early in the second half but the feisty midfields shot was wide of the mark and moments later Marks returned the compliment when he put Ngoyi through but the ‘U’ massed defence seemed impenetrable.

Hastings scored again 12 minutes into the second half. Edgware keeper Darren Bonfield coming a little too far out of his goal and Sam Adams running in slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

 

After the second goal Edgware had two great chances to level from well worked corners. Greg Ngoyi heading over when well placed from 6 yards out with 66 minutes gone and a cleaver step  over by Marks giving Rory Smith shot but that he hit weekly at the keeper from just inside the box 3 minutes later.

 

The remainder of the second half was really end to end football with the Wares Ricky White’s blistering shot with 10 minutes to go superbly turned over by the visiting keeper. However, it was not to be Edgware’s day to upset the Cup form guide and Hastings now have an away tie to Uxbridge in the second Qualifying round.

 

EDGWARE: Bonfield, Davidson, Hart, Hayden(Ferneé), Ingham, Smith, Marks(R White), Moore, Ngoyi, Cain(S Blackburne), Salih.

 

OTHER SUBS: Brady, Newing