Following Thursday evening’s heroics against Billericay Town and a long journey to Leiston on Tuesday evening it was perhaps asking a lot to expect the Angels to come fast off the blocks against Wingate & Finchley.

And indeed that’s how it turned out with the hosts making much the better opening and threatening the Tonbridge goal from the start. It only took them 10 minutes to take the lead when a glorious strike from distance from Reece Beckles-Richards gave Jonny Henly no chance. That said the Tonbridge cause had hardly been helped when Jack Parter had to be substituted after just 7 minutes with Luke Blewden having to play at right back.

Several more chances followed for the home side but eventually the visitors steadied the ship and on 22 minutes Tashi-Jay Kwaie was presented with a clear sight of goal following Joe Turner’s low cross but his shot sailed over the bar.

Four minutes later Alex Akrofi could do no better this time from Turner’s corner with the ball going just over. Needless to say Wingate took full advantage of these misses adding to their score in the 40th minute through Luke Ifil.

Although Akrofi forced a good save from Shane Gore in the 44th minute, Angels had Jonny Henly to thank for still being in the game as the visiting stopper pulled off three very good saves during the first period.

It was a rejuvenated Angels that took to the field for the second half and with Nathan Elder now leading the line they became a threat particularly from set pieces. With Andrew Seesay providing a new force on the left flank they looked the likelier to add to the goals tally. Akrofi had a header cleared off the line but finally following another corner Sonny Miles with a flick header got the Angels off the mark in the 61st minute.

Despite more pressure from the visitors Wingate managed to hold out despite a last ditch Angels assault that saw Henly go up for yet another set piece but it was to no avail. Wingate took the points and in so doing leapfrogged Tonbridge in the table who now go down to 10th position.

Afterwards Angels manager Steve McKimm said: “We did start slow and to be honest with all that’s happened in the past week I half expected that, but second half I thought we forced the issue and taking the performances over the last 4 games I am very proud of this squad.”