Welwyn Hatfield Sunday League - Premier Division

FC Town 7 AFC Welwyn 2

FC Town were in seventh heaven following their second straight Premier
Division against AFC Welwyn at Lemsford on Sunday. AFC started the brighter and kept the FC Town defence on their toes in the opening 15 minutes with some rapid attacks. But in the 20th minute Grant Macaree, given the unfamiliar strikers role in the absence of Terry Caswell scored a superb header from Bruce Tahon’s pinpoint cross. James Upson then had his goal-bound shot cleared off the line and Macaree went close to adding to his tally before AFC grabbed an unlikely equaliser following a poor back pass from the impressive Tom Mardle, allowing the AFC forward to stroke the ball past a helpless Jamie Norgan. But this merely stung FC Town into life and within five minutes they were ahead again when Ben Salmon hooked in at the far post for his first goal of the season. Two more goals just before half time seemed to knock the stuffing out of AFC as first Macaree was sent clear by Tahon to score at the near post then Matt Johnson raced onto Mardle’s superb through-ball to nutmeg the keeper for a 4-1 half time lead. AFC visibly wilted in the second half facing an FC Town onslaught and when Tahon’s volley was handled in the area, Tone Cleaver stepped up to smash his penalty into the top corner. Jack Earnshaw then saw his stunning shot brilliantly tipped onto the post by the outstanding AFC keeper. But he had no chance when James Upson was sent clear to round the keeper and slot home for 6-1. FC Town’s slick passing then thwarted and frustrated AFC as they kept the ball for long periods. But AFC never gave up and were rewarded when slack marking allowed them to pull a goal back with a well struck shot at the far post. But FC Town had the final say when they were awarded their second penalty of the match and Tone Cleaver again stepped up to convert an audacious chip over the diving keeper for his second of the match.

Man of the match - Tone Cleaver