Ten-bridge go goal crazy on a night of cup drama

By Ian Townsend

Our sides were in FA Cup, Velocity Trophy and League action last night- and poor Herne Bay supporters needed the patience of Angels

Tonbridge Angels last night almost equalled their record margin of victory, thrashing ten goals past poor Herne Bay in the First Round of the Velocity Trophy. It took until the twenty fifth minute for Dan Thompson to open the scoring at Longmead, but then the floodgates opened as the home side smashed home four more before the interval, with Tom Beere, George Beaven, Alex Akrofi and one more from Thompson making it 5-0 at half time. It was eight before Bay pulled a goal back- Akrofi doubling his tally before substitutes Joe Turner and Nathan Elder got on the scoresheet- and then, to rub further salt into the wound, another substitute, Andre McCollin, added two more to make the final score ten-one. In the other Velocity Trophy match South Park despatched Molesey 3-1 courtesy of a Jack Mazzone hat trick.

In the FA Cup First Qualifying Round replays, Chipstead were the biggest victors of the evening, walloping four goals past the Golds as Littlehampton Town from the Southern Combination Football League fell to a Sam Bell hat trick, Chris O’Flaherty with the other goal. There was another hat trick at the Runneymeade Stadium, as Alfie Paxman helped steer Ramsgate past Egham Town to earn a trip to Chelmsford City, whilst at the Harlow Arena the home side fell behind to Thurrock before turning the match around to win 2-1 and set up a clash with Lowestoft Town. In a cup clash between two of our North Division teams AFC Sudbury came out on top, winning 4-2 at Recreation Way to defeat Mildenhall Town and earn a home tie with Chipstead in the next round.

The two other ties involving our clubs went to extra time. A brace from Niko Muir couldn’t prevent Hendon from falling to defeat at Wingate & Finchley, for whom Spencer McCall got two of his own- including the clincher in the one hundred and twentieth minute as the home side won 4-2 to book a trip to Hemel Hempstead; whilst a last gasp Maldon & Tiptree equaliser at Hayes & Yeading United eventually came to naught, as Harley Wise scored in the one hundred and tenth minute to give the home side a 4-3 victory.

In the South Division VCD Athletic became the first side to inflict defeat on leaders Walton Casuals, coming out on top by the odd goal in five at Oakwood.

In tonight’s matches, Grays Athletic and Hertford Town face each other for the second time in the FA Cup, whilst Soham Town Rangers travel to Westfield in the same competition.

In the Velocity Trophy Thamesmead Town entertain Phoenix Sports.

Where next?

Casuals come home! After two years as wandering nomads, South Division Leaders come home!

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