FC Leytonstone came out on top in a 13-goal thriller which saw them beat London Hammers 8-5 in the first round of the Artec Cup.

Leytonstone found themselves 3-1 down in the first 20 minutes with Kahit Raouf grabbing the visitors’ only goal.

Leytonstone did battle back and notched a second through Fesar Rafiq and just before the half-time whistle they were level after Bradley Williams’s pace took him away from the chasing defenders.

The second half started with two quick fire goals as Sergio Garcia headed in a corner for Leytonstone only for the Hammers to reduce the deficit almost immediately.

Leytonstone then made it 6-4 with both Garcia and Raouf netting their second each.

Justin Hounkpatin and Asif Malek scored the visitors’ seventh and eighth goals respectively and despite a late consolation for the Hammers, Leytonstone were already out of sight and into the next round.