Proof that the first goal in football is always hugely important was given as Welwyn Garden City fell to defeat at home to Hertford Town.

Having bossed the majority of the first period, they somehow turned round 1-0 behind.

And with the tails of the nearest neighbours firmly up, Hertford went on to clinch a 3-0 success in the Southern League Division One Central clash.

 

It was another dismal home result, just one point gained from a possible 18, and in complete contrast to the six wins from seven away from the Urbaser Stadium.

But how they didn't score in the first 45 will be a mystery to all watching and manager Marc Weatherstone.

 

Welwyn hit the crossbar twice and had a goal disallowed, as well as missing several gilt-edged opportunities, all without the services of goalkeeper and skipper Charlie Crowley, and top scorer Bailey Stevenson.

A pinpoint Max Jessop cross gave WGC their first opportunity but Cyrus Babaie put his header over the top from six yards.

 

One minute later, Harvey Steel lofted a ball in for Callum Nicolson, the Luton Town loanee beating Luke Mewitt in the Hertford goal but not the woodwork.

 

Nicolson then turned provider when he again showed outstanding control to cushion a ball back for Lewis Franklin.

He sent his drive past the post.

The ball did find the net on 20 minutes, but Babaie's effort was ruled out for handball in the build-up and yet still Welwyn pressed.

Carlos Flood was put clean through but shot straight at Mewitt. However, the ball wasn't cleared and ended up with Nicolson heading over Mewitt but again finding the crossbar.

 

Therefore it was perhaps inevitable that Hertford scored in their first attack on 30 minutes, a corner only half-cleared and thrashed beyond new signing Lee Axworthy into the top corner.

The goal raised Hertford's spirits but it was still the home side who had the first chance of the second half, Steel left unmarked from a corner but heading well wide.

From that point though, it became a game the Citizens will want to forget.

 

Just before the hour, Hertford’s Sundayisi Sendedge collected on the right and completely bamboozled Franklin, before cutting inside and blazing past Axworthy to double Hertford’s lead.

WGC quickly became a somewhat dispirited and bedraggled outfit but the third did carry a slice of fortune, Steel's solid challenge on David Ogbonna rebounding straight to striker Eduard Toiny-Pendred who scrambled it home.

Manager Weatherstone threw on youngster Lucas Jordan and Jack Vasey, his first game in over a month, as well as Ethan Kessel in an attempt to stage something of a revival.

A late deflected effort from Kessel two minutes from the time, was the best they could muster though, Mewitt turning it round the post at full stretch.

 

 

WGC: Axworthy, Steel, Eales, Lowen, Franklin (Vasey 73), Mulley, Esposito (Jordan 62), Jessop, Flood (Kessel 80), Babaie, Nicolson.

Subs (not used): Thomas-Fraser, Weatherstone.