Colchester travelled to Southampton with high hopes of progressing to the last 16.
They were feeling fresh and ready for a fight, although Hamble started strongly, with Colchester camped in their own 25.
Hamble scored their first goal after a Colchester attack. The move broke down and the visiting defenders were left outnumbered.
This stirred Colchester back to life and, midway through the half, their efforts were rewarded thanks to a deflected penalty-corner strike from Michael Pearce.
Colchester soon took the lead, with Nick Town finishing a well-worked move.
The see-saw first half continued as Hamble equalised before Colchester took the lead again, Richard Walker finishing off after good work by Derek Hewlett.
Colchester ended the period behind as Hamble scored twice more, the last a penalty flick on the stroke of half-time.
In the second half, Colchester endured a torrid time as Hamble set out to finish the game off.
Three goals in a five-minute spell ended the visitors' hopes of getting anything as the hosts scored six times, with Colchester's only consolation a great strike from the top of the area by Mark Kennedy.
Published Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article