A depleted Tonbridge Angels side made the return journey to Somerset, three days after the original fixture had been abandoned eight minutes from time with the Angels holding a single goal lead due to a medical emergency in the crowd.

The short notice rearrangement saw Scott Wagstaff shorn of six first team regulars which brought recalls to the starting line-up for Joe Tyrie, Mikey Berry, Brody Peart, Nazir Bakrin with Mackenzie Richardson making his first National League South start. On the bench, another Academy scholar Ben Martin-Coward, was the only realistic option open to our caretaker manager.

A dedicated bunch (pictured) had made their way down and, for the rail travellers with no service back to Tonbridge, a lift back on the team coach was gratefully received. They might have been few in number, but they were loud and proud as ever.

Matt Rowley, who was to go on to produce a performance of many saves, was first brought into action after seven minutes with a remarkable double save that denied Sam Avery and from the resultant corner smothered the ball as it dropped dangerously in the box.

The reprieve was short-lived and Weston-super-Mare took the lead after nine minutes when Louis Brittain struck a post after being sent clear by Jordan Bastin with the rebound falling into the path of Sam Pearson who took his opportunity.

The Angels were asked to fight a rearguard action for the remainder of the half, but a dogged determination backed by the superb Rowley saw them through to the break just the single goal adrift.

The second half started well for the visitors with Christie Ward managing the Angels first shot on target, before after 52 minutes, the Tonbridge crossbar was rattled by a back post header from substitute Keiran Thomas.

On the hour, Weston’s goalkeeper, Max Harris, was tested by Jack Wood, whose shot from 18 yards took a deflection before being saved.

Rowley was finally beaten a second time with 20 minutes remaining as a Luke Coulson free kick was headed home by Reuben Reid.

Nine minutes remained when Martin-Coward was introduced to make his first National League appearance.

A 25 yard effort from James Waite found the bottom corner for the hosts to add a third and a win that takes Weston-super-Mare into the play-off spots.

An immensely proud Wagstaff commented post-match: “I’m so proud of the boys, they have given me absolutely everything this evening and I’m so emotional after Saturday, to a man they could not have given me any more. Deep down we know we won the game Saturday and that is the frustrating thing. We are frustrated with the result but we can be proud of the club, I’m really proud of the boys and we can now look forward to Friday.”