HARRY JONES DOUBLE SEALS A WIN

We have certainly started 2026 in fine form and dare we dream that there could be a repeat of last season when after Xmas we went 24 games unbeaten. Of course it’s far too early to draw too many comparisons as we have only put together an unbeaten run of 4 games since the turn of the year but it’s a start.

We certainly now look more organised and defensively sounder, picking up 10 valuable points from those last 4 games whilst scoring 11 and conceding just 3 goals. We weren’t at our best in this game but we never looked like we would concede a goal and we can thank Harry Jones, who was a whisker away from getting a hat-trick, for the 3 points.

Our guests were only formed in 2023 and have had a meteoric rise up the football pyramid - winning 2 successive titles to reach the Premier Division. However, they have struggled a bit this season winning only 1 of their last 12 matches and occupying 12th place in the table at the start of the game. They are ambitious and hope to reach the Football League by 2034 and we wish them all the best for the future.

Normally our hosts play at Hemel Hempstead’s ground but their landlords were at home so the game was switched to Hertford Town’s ground where they have a superb 3G pitch.

Our opponents started off well and it took us a little bit of time to get into the game but in the 10th minute we came to life when Max Hercules long throw was only cleared to just outside the area where Harry Beaumont (who has recently been looking like his old self) won the ball and then fired in a good shot which home keeper Josh Bowler did well to tip over the bar.

The Welwyn team, which included former Athletic player Guiseppe Delgaudio, played some nice football which belied their current poor form but there was little goal mouth action at either end until 21st minute when Dylan Whitelock got his head to a Max Hercules corner forcing the keeper to get down low. Two minutes later we broke the ice when from another Max Hercules throw Blake Argent lost his marker and crossed to Harry Jones who shot past the keeper. Score 0-1.

We started to take control of the game with Dave O’Connor sending a diving header wide from a Max Hercules free kick and then a lovely move down the left flank led to a fine cross from Dylan Fitzpatrick to his name’s sake Dylan Whitelock who from a promising position sent his firm header well wide.

A minute into time added on the home keeper slipped as he tried to deal with a back pass and Harry Jones was on him like a shot to stab the ball into an empty net. It was a bit of a gift but full marks to Harry for chasing down the opportunity to double his tally and take his total to 5 goals for the season, not a bad return for someone who has played a lot of games at full back. It sent us in at the break with a decent 2 goal lead.. HT Score 0-2.

The second half was a bit of an anti-climax with few scoring opportunities for either team. Just past the hour mark Harry Jones went mighty close to getting his hat-trick after his shot was deflected against the post. The opportunity was set up by Harry Beaumont who intercepted a poor clearance out of defence and then picked out Jonesy with a fine pass.

Dylan Whitelock headed over after Dave O’Connor had nodded a free kick across goal and there was a mad scramble in Welwyn’s goal mouth 6 minutes before normal time but the latter part of the game saw few clear cut scoring chances. FT Score 0-2.

Full credit to our hosts who played a lot of good football and in Ilvas Khader and Max Holland had a couple of tricky wingers but they were let down by their finishing and they failed to test Josh Ameganvi in goal but we wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

The win pushes up two places to 6th which is just 2 points behind Sawbridgeworth Town who occupy the last place in the play offs. We have however played more games than all our competitors so all we can do is to keep on winning and hope the other teams drop points.

Our next game is at home to Harpenden Town on Saturday so let’s get behind the lads and cheer them on.

TEAM

TA: Josh Ameganvi, Mason Clarke, James Kimber, Dave O’Connor, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Max Hercules, Jack Harvey (Capt) (Omar Helmy 69), Harry Beaumont (Luke Peerless 69), Blake Argent, Harry Jones (Liam Mann 78), Dylan Whitelock (Harry Shepherd 62).

Scorers

TA: Harry Jones (23, 45+1)

Crowd: 54