Tonbridge Angels return to the FA Youth Cup first round with away tie against a Merstham side who played Chelsea in round four last season

Tonbridge Angels make a long-awaited return to the FA Youth Cup first round proper tonight.

The club’s under-18s face a tricky away tie against a Merstham side who reached round four last year before bowing out to the youngsters of Premier League giants Chelsea.

Tonbridge have beaten Cray Wanderers, Hollands & Blair and Welling United to reach the first round for the first time since 2004.

They’re looking forward to the occasion against Merstham, who are managed by ex-Millwall and Crystal Palace midfielder Bobby Bowry, assisted by former Angels first-team manager Steve McKimm.

“It’s a tough tie for us but we’re prepped, we’ve done all we can in the build-up, it’s just what happens on the day,” said Tonbridge manager Dom Welsh.

“It’s easy to say Merstham are a Step 4 club and Tonbridge are a Step 2 club but Merstham got to the fourth round last year and played Chelsea away, and they’ve got a very experienced management team, so they’re going to be well-organised.

“You don’t get to the fourth round by luck.

“You might get a bit of luck but they played seven or eight games to get that far, so they know what it takes and they’ve got some really talented players.

“We looked at the draw and if there was one team we didn’t want it was probably Merstham because we’ve probably got the toughest tie in terms of a non-EFL club but also a very good outfit who’ve got previous of doing really well.

“But it’s a winnable game and the carrot is, if you get to the second round, you’ve got Championship clubs coming in, so that’s another motivation for the boys.”

Tonbridge have had some good runs in recent seasons but the first round has proved a step too far - until now.

It’s been a genuine team effort, boosted by the goals of Mackenzie