Hanwell Town booked a date with Chertsey Town in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round after hitting Sheppey United for six at the Powerday Stadium on Tuesday (3 September 2024) with Jordan Edwards bagging a hat-trick.
Edwards and strike partner Alfie Pendlebury, who scored a brace, had their own goal of the season competition as the Geordies ran riot. Joe Wilson also took a minute after coming on for his Hanwell debut to register his first goal.
But the former Chesham striker was the talk of the Toon as with his final goal; a curling effort from outside the box into the top corner.
Edwards reflected: “I enjoyed that one. Most importantly, we got the win and got through to the next round but I enjoyed my hat-trick. The first two are goals that you rack up. They can be the most pleasing as they often go unnoticed. The last one was one of the special goals of my career. It was great to see Alfie grab two goals – it always helps with confidence when you score.
“Come Saturday (at Taunton), it’s a different story. We’ve got to head down there and put a performance in and focus on the league. We can’t get too carried away.”
After Saturday’s 1-1 draw, Chris Moore made one change with Rod Orlando-Young coming into the side for his first start in Black and White.
Hanwell made the brighter start and continued to probe the Sheppey goal before breaking through just before the half-hour mark. Kameron English released
Dan Carr down the right flank and his cross into the box fell to Edwards, who fired home from close range.
Sheppey were dangerous on the break but, shortly after half-time, the Step Four side found themselves with a mountain to climb as Pendlebury spun his defender before curling a shot into the top corner.
The second goal lifted Hanwell and their raucous fans behind the goal and the Geordies smelled blood. A tired clearance was intercepted and the ball found its way to Edwards, who made no mistake with just over 20 minutes remaining. Three minutes later, Pendlebury grabbed his second as he curled home and the tie was over as a contest.
Chris Moore withdrew Pendlebury and Rohart-Brown, bringing on Zeeks Coker and Joe Wilson and the pair combined with Wilson firing home from the edge of the box to make it 5-0 with 11 minutes remaining.
As the clock struck 90 minutes, Edwards completed his hat-trick as he picked up the ball on the left flank and beautifully curled the ball past the keeper to make it six of the best.
The night got worse for Sheppey as a tired challenge from the, already booked, Eitel Moumi Goueth saw him receive his marching orders in the closing stages.
Hanwell’s reward for their cup success sees them host Chertsey Town on Saturday 14 September. Before that, though, a trip to Taunton awaits.
Hanwell: Beasant, Carr, Rohart-Brown, Woodcock, Duncan, Seabrook, English, Mackenzie, Pendlebury, Edwards, Orlando-Young.
Substitutes: Regis, Donnellan, Coker, Wilson, Boakye, Richards, Benyon