Striker Dominic Poleon scored a quickfire hat-trick as Ebbsfleet dominated their National League South derby with Tonbridge on Saturday.

Fleet raced into a four-goal lead in the opening half-hour and while Angels improved considerably after the break, it was a dreadful start to the campaign for the visitors as Ebbsfleet fired an early warning to their rivals for promotion.

Ebbsfleet ripped through the Angels defence with ease in a dazzling opening half-hour, attacking with pace and purpose at every opportunity.

Fleet boss Dennis Kutrieb made his feelings to clear in the first five minutes when he wanted Joe Martin to turn the visiting defence.

The hosts passed the ball the same way they did last season, but this time they went forward more often than not, and when direct it was with an aim.

The first goal of the new season arrived on eight minutes. A swift move forward saw Jack Paxman and Craig Tanner combine to set up Poleon and his low right-foot finish went beyond keeper Jon Henly.

It was 2-0 just six minutes later. a long ball forward found Rakish Bingham and his right-foot lob over Henly was perfectly placed.

The front pair combined minutes later but Poleon tried to go round Henly and the chance was gone.

Fleet did have periods of possession, one move on 25 minutes saw the ball worked from left to right and then back again before an injection of pace ended with Greg Cundle shooting over from just inside the box.

Fleet scored a third goal on 27 minutes with the swiftest of counter attacks. Tonbridge nearly got a goal themselves when Fleet keeper Josh Goud had to save Sonny Miles' flick from a downward Tom Parkinson header at the second attempt.

But the on-loan Swansea stopped wasted no time getting the ball forward, releasing Poleon, whose stunning first touch and pace did the rest as he raced through to chip Henly.

Poleon completed a 21-minute hat-trick two minutes later, played in by strike partner Bingham he never looked like missing as he slotted beyond Henly.

Tonbridge's five debutants included Ricky Modeste, who kept running at the Fleet defence and forced a series of corners in the first half. Fleet's Jack Paxman went into the book for a foul on Modeste, who nearly scored on the stroke of half-time. Played in by Tommy Wood, Modeste's shot in first-half stoppage time was tipped over by Gould but the referee blew for time before the Angels got a chance to take the corner.

It was a more subdued start to the second half, although Alfie Egan and Bingham both went close for the hosts.

Poleon departed to a standing ovation just after the hour with Elliott Romain making his Fleet debut after joining from Dartford in the close season.

Cundle burst into the box just before he was replaced, but a heavy touch meant he eventually stabbed the ball wide of the upright.

Tonbridge were much improved in the second half, however, and they got a goal for their efforts with 17 minutes left. Modeste's shot was only parried by keeper Gould, and substitute Ibrahim Olutade reacted quickest to score from close range.

Fleet added a fifth with 10 minutes left when the ball was worked wide to substitute Adam Mekki, and he cut inside to fire a tremendous right-foot shot into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Egan was denied by a fine Henly save as Fleet continue to push forward, Mekki then dribbled his way through the visiting defence but was denied by Henly who also thwarted Joe Martin from the follow-up.

Ebbsfleet: Gould, Adebayo-Rowling, J Martin, Solly, Jombati (Kahraman 63mins), Paxman, Egan, Tanner, Cundle (Mekki 67mins), Bingham, Poleon (Romain 63mins). Subs not used: Haigh, Chapman.

Tonbridge: Henly, O'Sullivan, Braham-Barrett, Parkinson (Turner 75mins), Miles, Lee, Modeste, Beere, Wood (Olutade 67mins), Loft (Guerfi 59mins), Smith-Joseph. Subs not used: Hudson, Hanfrey.

Attendance: 1,132.

Referee: Andrew Humphries.