Redhill are a step nearer to iconic Wembley after starting this season's FA Vase campaign with a 5-0 win against East Preston. The Vase replaced the Amateur Cup back in 1974 and the Reds have twice reached the Fourth Round Proper, going out to Billericay in a replay in 1977 and Hemel Hempstead five years later after extra time.

The Lobsters would have been expected to win yesterday's First Qualifying Round tie at sunny Lashmar Road. East Preston, from the Littlehampton area and known as "EP", were 19th in the Southern Combination table and were without a victory in any competition this season. But the home side did make a game of it in a first half that was goalless until Alfie Huckle, an early substitute for the injured King, headed in after Hogan's free-kick from the left had caused confusion in the six-yard box three minutes before half-time.

There was a dramatic change to the balance of play after home centre-half Robinson had been red-carded on the hour for upending Aiden Brown as the last defender. Redhill proceeded to hold their own "crossbar challenge" with Hogan (twice) and Drinkwater thumping efforts against the bar inside one crazy minute. Then the Reds took advantage of EP suddenly looking very open at the back to notch four more goals and give the scoreline a very different look.

Noe Vendrells ran 30 yards with the ball down the right before clipping his shot past the advancing Jenner-Swain on 65 minutes. Huckle played Hogan in for a left-footer into the far corner ten minutes later and Brown handed another chance on a plate for Hogan seven minutes from time for 4-0, EP apparently playing at that time without a right-back. Brown, now on eight for the season, completed the scoring three minutes from the end with a low shot from a central position outside the box that sped past the 'keeper.

Redhill: Minchin, Edwards, Kenlock, Talboys, Drinkwater, Dyett (MacLeod), Vendrells (Iqbal), Jarrett, Brown, King (Huckle), Hogan