Sunday 29 October 2017

THE CITIZENS ARE TOO GOOD FOR STOTFOLD

Going into Wednesday night's game at Herns Lane the form book indicated it would be a comfortable victory for Welwyn Garden City against visiting Stotfold. The Citizens had won nine and drawn one of their opening ten league games and were also on an impressive unbeaten run of seventeen league and cup games. Stotfold had won three of their twelve league games and had lost 0-2 at home to Adam Fisher's side earlier in the month - they were on a run of nine games without a win. 

It was no surprise when the home side took the lead on thirteen minutes via a well taken goal from Charlie Joy - they had already created a number of goal scoring chances. Jon Clements scored a second via the penalty spot on 33 minutes - Stotfold keeper Matt Fallon, who was impressive throughout the game, was adjudged to have tripped a player in the box. Clements then made it 3-0 just before the break to top off a dominant first half by The Citizens. 

Credit to the away side who came back into things after the break and played some good football at times - Adam Draculik made it 3-1 with a low drive past Charlie May just after the break. 

The Citizens still looking dangerous at times and could of added to their three goals but that was how it ended up. 

Stotfold were reduced to nine men in the final five minutes when Paul Donald who had already been booked for dissent got in the way of Jon Clements who was trying to take a quick free kick on the edge of the box. 

Moments later it was substitute Dominic Fraser who was red carded for an over the top challenge on Citizen's defender Yasin Boodhoo. This incident triggered a little bit of pushing and shoving in a game which had been played in good spirits up until then. 

The Citizens had ex Cockfosters Captain Ben Spaul and former Enfield Town fan's favourite Paul Marks in their midfield. They are a great pairing in the centre of the park. 

I was impressed by Toby Syme playing at left back for Stotfold. He looked a really good technically gifted and skillful footballer. The 19 year old played in the Norwich City youth and academy set up from 2015 through to June 2017 playing in the under 18 Premier League, Premier League 2 and FA Youth Cup.

AFTER THE GAME - THE STOTFOLD SQUAD AND MANAGEMENT UNDER THE LIGHTS AT HERNS LANE

The Stotfold management team of Michael Parkin, Gary Burkett and Darren Mitchell spoke to their squad on the pitch after the game - the gist of the talk was why hadn't they started the match as they started the second half. I think if they keep up the hard work on the pitch as they did after half time and also train well off it they'll start to get some results sooner rather than later. 

A good crowd of 123 was present to see the game.  

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 



Welwyn Garden City 
Charlie May, Jay Rolfe, Yasin Boodhood, John McGrandles, Dave Corran, Paul Marks, Charlie Rome (Ben Long), Ben Spaul, George Ironton (Josh Bronti), Jon Clements, Charlie Joy (Ash Kersey) 

Stotfold
Matt Fallon, Dean Auburn, Charlie Briggs, Tommy Carroll, James Chisholm, Russell Clark, Paul Donald (SENT OFF), Adam Drakulic, Jordan Leech-Levy, Josh Murray, Toby Syme. 
Subs - Dominic Fraser (SENT OFF), Tre Grant, Kieran Barnes. 

***UPDATE*** 

Stotfold drew 1-1 at home to Cockfosters yesterday with their goal coming from Dean Auburn. The Citizens were 1-2 down to Leverstock Green and were in danger of losing their unbeaten run - A very late Jay Rolfe goal saved them and it ended 2-2. They are now an incredible nineteen games unbeaten which equals a club record. They are at home again to Leverstock Green on Wednesday in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup where the current squad can break the record. I'm sure Levvy will be well up for the game as they clearly were yesterday. 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE 
PREMIER DIVISION 
TABLE - TOP FOUR ONLY 
POSTEAMPGDPTS
1BERKHAMSTED13+2135
2WELWYN GC12+2132
3BIGGLESWADE FC 14+1229
4HARPENDEN TOWN12+1026

Next Saturday's league fixtures will see The Citizen's unbeaten league record put to the test as they visit third placed Biggleswade FC. It's bottom v top as Berkhamsted (the only other team without a defeat) visit Crawley Green (only one win in eleven league games) with fourth placed Harpenden Town welcoming Stotfold to Rothamstead Park. 

Why not catch a match if you're free? 

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