And the stunning 6-0 thrashing of Herne Bay, which came just days after a 4-1 demolition of Canvey Island in the league, means the Angels have a spring in their step going into the next game.

Steve McKimm’s side are brimming with confidence ahead of the crunch clash with Ryman Premier high-fliers’ Hendon on Saturday (September 20th). The Middlesex visitors are hot on the heels of pacesetters Maidstone and Margate and will be a tough proposition courtesy of summer squad strengthening.

On Monday (September 15th) night the Dons retained 3rd place after a 2-2 home draw with Hampton & Richmond after strikes from Dave Diedhiou and Leon Smith. However, there was disappointment the Greens did not capitalise on a 2-1 half-time lead. Apparently, a lack-lustre showing in the last half-hour, against one of the division’s strugglers, led to an equaliser and two vital points dropped. A win would have left Hendon that number behind Margate, currently occupying second place.

The past two displays from the Angels have been exquisite with supporters delighted by the energetic entertaining football built around pacey, precise, passing.

But performances are not merely easy on the eye; the team are beginning to click and grabbing goals galore. The ten notched up last week is the most netted in seven days for 11 years.

In August 2003, Tonbridge thrashed Rothwell 4-0, then Fisher 7-3, followed by a 4-0 battering of BAT Sports. Fans need to go even further back for a six-goal feast in the FA Cup, with a 6-0 success at Godalming & Guildford in August 1997 the last big victory.

Against Herne Bay, of Ryman South, it was Billy Medlock in the limelight again, thanks to a hat-trick of slide-rule finishes, but it was yet another impressive all-round team display. The 22 year-old striker fired the Angels in front just after the quarter-hour and added a second 10 minutes later. Harrison Tweddle effectively put the tie beyond doubt in the 39th, giving the home side a 3-0 cushion at half-time.

Medlock earned the match ball soon after the re-start (53 mins), before fellow front men Tommy Whitnell (65 mins) and Alex Teniola (90) rounded-off a thrilling afternoon.

Saturday’s visitors’ Hendon also booked a place in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round following a 1-0 victory over AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

The Greens are enjoying their best season for a dozen years and aiming to build on last season’s 8th place finish. They are led by long-serving boss Gary McCann, who has been manager for nearly a decade, following a popular spell as a goalkeeper.

Off the field the club have been taken over by supporters and in the process of planning a new stadium in Kingsbury, which could be shared with a re-launched Edgware Town. The Dons are currently tenants of Harrow Borough at Earlsmead, having previously played “home” games at Wembley, plus, on occasions, Northwood and Staines.

Hendon finally lost their legendary Claremont Road ground, in Cricklewood, after it was sold by the landowner after several years of speculation. The site made national headlines in 2013 when it emerged it had become a makeshift shanty town for the homeless, requiring action by the authorities. The football team had vacated five years earlier.

Hendon have a proud past and will be hoping to bring back the glory days, with this term being their best chance so far. The club has been in the top flight of the Isthmian League for more than half a century and won it a number of times. The Greens have also triumphed on three occasions in the FA Amateur Cup Final at Wembley, and once played in front of 100,000 spectators at the old stadium.

The current team is a mixture of stalwarts with several years’ sterling service for Hendon, plus more than half-a-dozen summer recruits covering most positions. Some of the fresh faces have Conference South experience, or enjoyed promotion from the Ryman Premier with other teams such as neighbours’ Wealdstone.

Close-season signing from Basingstoke Town, Kezie Ibe, has already established a potent partnership up front with Leon Smith. The latter had joined from Wingate & Finchley in January, where he had scored more than 100 times. The pair both have a strike-rate of around one goal in two games.

McCann’s squad should be strong enough to be in play-off contention at the end of the season, though the Greens have not really been tested by a cracking side yet. Victories against lowlier opposition such as Bury Town, VCD, Bognor, Peacehaven and Harrow provided a large chunk of the tally. Reverses were inflicted by Met Police and Enfield Town, teams that also defeated Tonbridge.

Almost certainly the best indicator of strength is a 2-2 draw at Kingstonian earlier this month, a side which clinched a 2-0 win over Steve McKimm’s men in late-August.

The Ryman Premier match between Tonbridge Angels and Hendon at Longmead Stadium on Saturday September 20th is a3pm kick-off.

Another league clash at home follows a few days later, when highly-rated Leiston are the visitors on Tuesday 23rd September (kick-off 7.45pm).

Steve McKimm’s men then travel to Redhill, of the Ryman South (Division One), on Saturday 27th September (3pm) for an FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie.

∎ For first time visitors, Longmead Stadium boasts excellent facilities for enjoying semi-professional football, including covered terraces behind both goals, as well as concrete hard-standing areas surrounding the rest of the pitch.

Spectators who prefer more comfort can watch the action from the main seated stand for a small additional transfer fee.

Supporters can relax in the clubhouse, where refreshments are served, before and after games.

Travelling to the ground is convenient with a large FREE car park, while non-motorists can use buses (Arriva, route 219/218) or taxis, with a journey time of around 10 minutes from Tonbridge Railway Station. For people who prefer to walk to the game, Longmead Stadium is about a mile and a half from the town centre and takes approximately 50 minutes.

Admission prices are £10 for adults aged 18 and over, £6 for seniors aged 60-plus, while youths between 13 and 17 pay £4. The Angels are a very family friendly club and children under 13 can watch a match for FREE if accompanied by an adult, or the charge is £2 if unaccompanied.

Please check the websitewww.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk for more details, team news, fixture lists and other activities.

Tonbridge Angels – more than just a football club, at the heart of the community.