By Harry Whitewood

NIC McDonnell struck a second half hat-trick as Bromley won 3-2 at Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

However, assistant boss Hayden Bird was far from happy afterwards with his side’s first half display.

He said: “The game showed how important it is for our players to take on information given to them by the management team.

“In the first half, they didn’t take the information on board and the things we have been doing well in our games with Palace and Charlton, we did very badly for 45 minutes.

“Possibly the most important thing today for the players to learn is they need to take on board what is said in the dressing room.

“If they do, then it becomes a very compact unit but if two or three don’t, then it could be a shambles.”

But despite the criticism, Bird also took positives from the Tonbridge win, particularly McDonnell's didplay and the contributions of the substitutes.

He explained: “I think all of the substitutes did very well on Saturday.

“Nic McDonnell did very well with what he usually does but he also ran the line very well, showing he can be an important player even without his goals.

“I also thought Tony Finn and Nicky Greene deserve immense credit for their performances because they came on and were a key factor in changing the game, just as Nic McDonnell was.”

Bromley are at home to Crawley in a friendly this Saturday at 3pm.