A hat trick from Billy Medlock meant that the Tonbridge Angels side soared into the Second Qualifying Round at the expense of a Herne Bay side who clearly missed their entire first choice forward line through injury.

That said as Bay boss Sam Denly was left hoping that one of his strikers at least could be fit to face East Grinstead Town on Tuesday night for a Ryman South game that Denly has now described as “massive” for the Bay’s season, Angels boss Steve McKimm (making his managerial debut in a competition he graced as a player) was refreshingly honest after the game as he admitted that his hat trick hero was perhaps lucky not to have been sent off.

McKimm said, “Another referee could have sent him off today before he even scored his first one! I’m not going to deny that but the referee (Mr Bentley) didn’t and Billy did what he’s paid to do and that’s score goals.”

“Whether the referee got it right or wrong – the boy kicked him first and then he lashed out – you can’t do it, but if he got away with it I can’t condone it but he’s gone on and scored three goals.”

“They may be upset about that but at the end of the day, Billy’s gone and done what I pay him to do and that’s to score goals and I’ve been very pleased with him recently as that’s nine goals in six games for him.”

Denly meanwhile was equally as honest when he summed the game up after the final whistle. “We knew it was always going to be difficult today as they are a good side who should still be in Conference South.”

“For us to come here and get a result, we needed to be at full strength and everyone to play well, but today we didn’t come close.”

“They deserved the win today, but the important thing for us now is to rally for our next league game on Tuesday which is where we’ve done well so far this season.”

“We haven’t got a fit striker at the club – it’s not an excuse, but we couldn’t come up against such a good side as they were today without one. The importance now for the football club is to get one or more of those players back in the side before we play again on Tuesday.”

“What we didn’t want to come here and get hit for six,” Denly continued with a rueful grin as he shrugged his shoulders, “We have to move on and recover. Our form had been excellent coming in and we’re eighth in the table, and we’ve just gone win, win in the League, which is why we’ve just told the boys that we continue the positives we’ve had before today and I expect a response on Tuesday night.”

But it will be tough for the Bay to recover from this mauling so quickly, as the Angels once in front ripped through the visitors defence like a hot knife through butter.

Tommy Whitnell had already hit the side netting before on 18 minutes, Whitnell played a defence splitting pass for Medlock to run onto before drilling the ball past Jack Delo in the Bay goal.

One became two just nine minutes later when Medlock was on hand again to fire home from the edge of the box, and the Bay’s first half misery was complete six minutes from the break as Harrison Tweddle was on hand to bundle the ball home.

Dee Ojokie did brilliantly down the left before his deep cross found Whitnell, who’s first time shot drew a magnificent save from Delo. The Bay keeper could only look on as the ball landed at Tweddle’s feet as the striker walked the ball into the net.

The second half began much as the first half had been throughout. Medlock should have completed his hat trick three minutes into the half as he cleverly beat the offside trap only to drag his shot wide of Delo’s right post.

It only delayed the inevitable however as on 51 minutes, Medlock did complete his treble. Flavio Tavares’ cross wasn’t dealt with and Medlock gleefully fired home for 4-0.

The Bay’s punishment sadly continued on 65 minutes when skipper Jerome Sobers thundered forward from the back before playing the pass of the match to release Whitnell, who deservedly got the goal his performance warranted as he skipped past a defender, rounded Delo and score number five.

Bay briefly rallied and Dan Parkinson had a free kick deflected into the arms of Angels keeper Kyle Merson, before substitute Elliott Cutts had a shot blocked before the follow up sailed well wide.

It was to be the Angels who was to have the final word, when deep into stoppage time Alex Teniola got on the end of Jack Parter’s long ball into the box to drive home.

“I’ve got four strikers on my books,” McKimm said afterwards, “and all four scored! Its been a good day!”

Asked who he’d like to face at the next round, the Angels boss said, “I don’t really mind. Its the round where the Conference South sides come in – do we take one of those here or go for a lower club. You know I don’t really care, as long as we’re at home.”

TONBRIDGE ANGELS – Kyle Merson, James Folkes, Ben King, Lee Carey, Jerrome Sobers, Jack Parter, Harrison Tweddle, Tom Parkinson (Qudus Bolagi 60), Billy Medlock (Alex Teniola 52), Tommy Whitnell, Dee Ojokie (Flavio Tavares 39)

Sub not used – Charlie Slocombe

HERNE BAY – Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Dan Johnson, Sam Staunton (Elliott Cutts 55), Ollie Lee, Connor Saunders, Doe Nelder, Liam Quinn (Harry Brown 72), Dan Parkinson, Kane Butler (Henry Dasofunjo 55), Steven Ita

Subs not used – Conor Partridge, Jordan Casey, Sam Hasler & Ben Kitchenside

Referee – Mr Ian Bentley (West Wickham)
Assistants – Mr Ronald Albert (London SE6) & Mr Paul Greenfield (London SE9)