A much depleted Herne Bay side bowed out of the FA Cup against Ryman Premier Tonbridge Angels by a 6-0 scoreline at Longmead Stadium. In truth the Bay were outclassed against a slick finishing Angels’ side for whom Billy Medlock produced a superb hat-trick, although he was perhaps lucky not to have been shown an early red card for what looked like a deliberate kick on Sam Staunton.

Bay held their own in the opening exchanges with Angels’ Jerome Sobers taking out all the high balls from his central defensive position. On 17 the Bay defence were undone when a great reverse pass from Tommy Whitnell found Medlock who ran through to slot past Delo. Two minutes later Connor Sanders fouled Tom Parkinson 40 yards out and from the resulting free-kick Jack delo saved well. In the 27th minute Medlock doubled Angels’ lead when he wriggled through the Bay defence and crashed the ball home.

Two minutes later Steven Ita went on a mazy run but his finish was weak and Kyle Merson in the home goal gathered with ease. Although Herne Bay were being outclassed there were occasional glimpses of promise from counter-attacks with Ita, in particular, looking dangerous and on 36 was unlucky when his effort was headed off the line by Whitnell. Dee Okojie on the Angel’s left flank was looking dangerous but to the relief of the Herne Bay back four he was taken off in the 40th minute but his replacement, Flavio Tavares proved to be equally menacing. Six minutes before the break Harrison Tweddle bundled the ball over the line after a goalmouth scramble.

Bay showed greater endeavour in the second period with Joe Nelder and Kane Butler both having half chances. After Medlock completed his ha-trick in the 53rd minute he came off to a standing ovation to be replaced by Alex Teniola. Elliot Cutts and Henry Dasofunjo came on for Michael Turner and Kane Butler for the Bay four minutes later. The fifth goal came with 65 minutes on the clock when Whitnell ran through from the half-way line before smashing the ball past Delo. Harry Brown replaced Liam Quinn as Dan Parkinson had two half-chances. The first from a 25 yard free-kick which was deflected into Merson’s arms and the second a snapshot which went past the post.

Just before the final whistle Teniola slotted in from 6 yards when completely unmarked. With Stuart King, Jordan Casey, James Turner, Danny Walder, Sam Hasler, Ben Brown and Gary Sayer amongst those absent through injury Sam Denly was proud of how his youngsters battled and never gave up trying.

Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Daniel Johnson, Sam Staunton (Elliot Cutts 57), Ollie Lee, Connor Sanders, Joe Nelder, Liam Quinn (Harry Brown 73), Dan Parkinson, Dan Parkinson, Kane Butler (Henry Dasofunfo 57), Steven Ita.

Subs Not Used: Connor Partridge, Jordan Casey, Sam Hasler, Ben Kitcherside..

Herne Bay Man of the Match: Michael Turner (Herne Bay)