The senseless first half send off of Hayes and Yeading striker Kelvin Bossman followed up by two contrasting strikes in the final minutes of the first half, secured Tonbridge Angels first FA Cup win for four seasons and a trip to St Albans City in the Third Qualifying Round of this season’s competition.

With 20 minutes on the watch, play was about to restart with a Hayes goal kick when referee Holderness brought proceedings to a halt with a shrill blast of his whistle; called the giant Bossman towards him and promptly pulled out the red card to the bewilderment of the read of Bossman’s team mates who surrounded the Wickford official for an answer, an answer that most of the crowd would have also appreciated.  It was later confirmed that the card was for foul and abusive language towards the official and effectively as Bossman trudged back to the Longmead dressing rooms, his sides hopes went with him!

It was a shame for the neutral as this intriguing tie (which finished 0-0 in the first game on Sunday) was so delicately poised, as both sides had half chances early on, as first Tom Bird’s header caused problems in the Angels box and then Gary Elphick deflected Phillip Appiah’s cross forcing Hayes keeper Michael Jaimez Ruiz into a smart save at his near post.

Then came the sending off, and full credit must be given to Angels boss Tommy Warrilow who immediately changed his formation from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3, and within minutes Appiah twice went close with shots from distance – the first one didn’t dip enough whilst the second on the half hour forced Ruiz into a fine save.

It only delayed the inevitable for just under a minute as on 31 minutes Elphick put the Angels in front.  David Ijaha’s deep cross was headed back across goal by Luke Blewden and as Mikel Suarez challenged Ruiz, the ball fell to Elphick who bundled the ball over the line for the skippers first goal of the season.  One became two two minutes before the break with a wonderful goal that was so simple it was truly magnificent.  Nathan Green sprinted down the left and his pin point cross was met perfectly by Suarez’s jump and the striker’s header gave Ruiz no chance whatsoever.

It should have possibly been three two minutes after the break when Appiah for some reason chose to chest Green’s cross goalwards forcing Ruiz into a smart save when surely a header would have given the keeper no chance and sealed the tie.

Hayes and Yeading threatened briefly when Louis Soares curled a free kick against the outside of Masters right post before Blewden just didn’t get enough contact on Henry Muggeridge’s fine run and cross as the ball glanced agonisingly wide of the right post.

The Angels then threatened to throw the game away as they switched off allowed Luke Williams (who was the visitors liveliest player on the night) threaded a ball through to Frankie Merrifield who sent Masters the wrong way from 18 yards as he rolled the ball wide of the Tonbridge keeper to give the visitors hope that they really didn’t deserve!  Indeed Williams should really have done better from the edge of the box moments later, but his shot disappeared onto the greens of Tonbridge Bowling Club behind the goal.

Green then could have sealed the game but his drive went just past the right post before Williams was inches away from forcing extra time as Masters made a very smart save low to right, before Williams couldn’t convert an Angels mistake as he raced into the box lobbing the ball over the keeper only for substitute Gary Borrowdale to clear the bouncing ball away from the six yard box.

So Tonbridge become the seventh Kent side into the Third Qualifying Round, and on Saturday week along with Bromley, Chatham Town, Dover Athletic, Ebbsfleet United, Maidstone United and Sittingbourne look to join Dartford and Welling United ninety minutes from the First Round draw.

TONBRIDGE – Clark Masters, Henry Muggeridge, Ryan Watts, Mikel Suarez (Mark Lovell 83), Gary Elphick (Gary Borrowdale 83), Sonny Miles, Phillip Appiah (Chris Piper 87), David Ijaha, Luke Blewden, Lee Browning, Nathan Green

Subs not used – Nathan Pinney, Luke Olley, Scott Chalmers Stevens

HAYES & YEADING – Michael Jaimez Ruiz, Adam Everitt, Tom Bird, Jack Mills, Charlie Wassmer, Dean Inman (Anthiny Furlonge 72), Louis Soares (Kameron English 75), Frankie Merrifield, Kelvin Bossman, Luke Williams, Jake Reid (Seb Schoburgh 66)

Subs not used – Lewis Cole, Luke Bersey, Jack Thompson Walker, James Warrington