Seven-up in cup for happy Hillians

Ironically, their previous win came at Horsham, 2-0 in the league in September. This latest win now earns them a trip to Peacehaven in the next round.

Injuries, suspensions and unavailability’s meant the Hillians were forced to make six changes from Saturday, with youth players Will Miles and Alex Gathern making their first senior starts.

Hill flew out of the traps and were 3-0 up in the first seven minutes. Just 30 seconds in Max Miller hit his eighth goal of the season.

Five minutes later the scorer laid the ball back to Curtis Gayler, who volleyed home from 25 yards and almost immediately it was 3-0 when Pat Harding, playing in midfield, collected the ball 30 yards out and rifled a shot into the top corner.

Horsham pulled one back on 11 minutes through the experienced Tony Nwachukwu and they were right back in it when in the 20th minute a cross by Billy Joe King was toe poked home from close range by Gabby Odunaike.

But Gayler made it 4-2 six minutes before the break when he struck in a 30-yard screamer.

The second half was controlled by Hillians but they had to wait until the last 15 minutes to pick up the scoring again.

Greg Luer, who deserved a goal for all his hard work, turned his marker and sent in a low shot which was parried by the keeper into the path of sub Joe Kay, who calmly slotted home.

Young sub Lee Harding then hit a post before two goals came as the game entered stoppage time.

Kay got his second when he sent a dipping shot over the keeper from 25 yards and two minutes later it was Lee Harding who was celebrating when Luer unselfishly set him up.

Hillians: Mansfield; Pointing, Gathern, Armstrong, Fisk, Miles, P Harding, Kirkwood, Miller (L Harding, 81), Luer, Gayler (Joe Kay 57). Unused subs: Curd, Durrant, Sidwell.

Hill are without a game this Saturday because it is FA Cup week but the U21s are at home to Thamesmead in a Ryman League U21 clash (3pm).