East Preston hit for six by Tunbridge Wells in the FA Vase

Kent League Wells progressed into the first round proper after disposing of East Preston in the second qualifying round, having led 3-0 after just 25 minutes.

An Alex Flisher brace and a strike from Keelan Mooney appeared to have put the game beyond doubt, but Dale Campbell’s free kick restored EP’s hopes five minutes before half-time.

Flisher completed his hat-trick and Jon Pilbeam then made it 5-1 on 72 minutes, before Matt Windsor pulled another goal back for EP three minutes later, but Pilbeam completed the scoring 10 minutes from time.

EP assistant manager Paul Bird said: “They were a good side and very quick down the wings.

“The players seemed very flat and not with it, and heads dropped as early as when their first goal went in.

“We were never going to win the Vase, though, so we can set our sights on more realistic targets. It might have been different if we’d scored first, but credit to them, they deserved it.”

EP host Oakwood in County League Division 2 action on Saturday.

EAST PRESTON: Souch; Beaney, Stideford, Windsor, Heward; Farrier, Manning, Campbell, Banfield; Burgess, Lawson. Subs: Steele (Heward 45), Dixon (Beaney 55), McLeod (Manning 70), Blackwood, Howard.