The Woodspring Stadium has been a lucky ground for Town, having now won 3 and drawn 1 of the five Conference South fixtures played there. This game was to be no exception as Stoke were out of the blocks and could have opened the scoring on 30 seconds with Sido Jombarti charging down a Weston clearance and Mitchell Bryant finding himself clear on the edge of the box. Ryan Northmore saved with his chest and the travelling Stoke fans could have been excused the thought of “here we go again”. For 18 days earlier Northmore had stood single handed between Town and victory by producing a string of outstanding saves. The hosts then had a chance with Marc McGregor firing wide from 18 yards. Weston were under pressure early on, Stoke forcing a corner on 5 minutes and another on 9 minutes, Ashan Holgate heading away from Joe Dolan’s head. The deadlock was broken on 11 minutes. Northmore was finally beaten. Jombarti won a ball out wide that he had no right to, beating Ryan Paddock, Jombarti chipped the ball perfectly from the right over Northmore for Phil Ruggles to calmly head in the unguarded net. Mike Green blasted a shot for Weston from 30 yards but was blocked by Rob Watkins. A quarter of an hour in Matt Warner, a scorer on this ground 2 seasons ago, delivered a superb corner, headed down and wide by Jombarti. Jombarti turned provider and set up Ruggles who fired over the bar from the right side of the box. Warner beat his marker and chipped the ball wide of the left post. Tom Hateley put in a shot from distance but was gathered by Northmore. Town now had to defend as Adam Aimable cut out a cross from the right. Ross Kitteridge was called into action to punch away a corner. Marvin Brown managed to find space and set up McGregor who forced a save out of kitteridge from a tight angle. The home defence was all at sea once more on 37 minutes, Phil Ruggles was given the time and space to bring the ball under control in the area and slot home under Northmore. Weston had a chance to reduce the arrear just before the break, a free kick deflected just past the post for a corner.

The second half got underway with the hosts huffing and puffing but the visitors in control and holding them at bay. There must have been a few flutters in the hearts of the travelling support and those following the game at home as Town had squandered several positions like this this season. Jombarti cut out a dangerous run from Dean Grubb and Marvin Brown had a weak shot comfortably saved. As the seagulls gathered around the ground Weston manager Tony Ricketts could have mistaken them for vultures as his side were sunk without trace on 61 minutes. Ruggles capped off an outstanding performance by robbing Paddock, who had a nightmare for the home team, on the edge of his own area. The striker played the ball across the area, Bryant and Jerome Maledon were both on hand but the last touch appeared to be from a Weston defender. On 66 and 68 minutes the home side withdrew two defenders and brought on centre back Craig Rand who has been out for almost a year with injury and Mark McKeever in midfield. Weston had their best period of the game putting Stoke under pressure for the first time in the game but Joe Dolan marshalled his defenders and the visitors stood firm. James Palmer crossed from the left, Kitteridge punched away and the loose ball was cleared by Dolan. Stoke countered and Mitchell Bryant forced a corner. Town had a scare on 73 minutes, a Weston break down the left and a perfect cross onto the head of Grubb hitting the crossbar and Kitteridge catching the rebound. This was as close as the hosts got. With 14 minutes to go Weston made their last substitution and a last throw of the dice taking off the hapless Paddock. Darren Mullings shot wide from the edge of the box following a home corner. The Weston goalie found himself having to come out of his area to clear but got himself in a muddle and ended up conceding a free kick near the corner flag for which he earned a booking. With 7 minutes left Tom Williamson made way for Jide Ogunbote , Williamson putting in a fine comeback performance following his long layoff from injury, a heartening sight for all town fans that he lasted nearly a full game. The final chance of the game fell to Mullings who blasted just over the bar from the left edge of the box. Bryant made way for David Tarpey on 86 minutes and Stoke ran down the clock, it was their day but a wretched afternoon for the home side.