East Premier A St Albans I 7 Wisbech I 3 ST ALBANS Men s first team secured an unbeaten first half of the season with a home victory against Wisbech. Despite being bottom of the league, Wisbech had nevertheless gained their first win the previous week and

East Premier A

St Albans I 7 Wisbech I 3

ST ALBANS Men's first team secured an unbeaten first half of the season with a home victory against Wisbech.

Despite being bottom of the league, Wisbech had nevertheless gained their first win the previous week and came into the clash with confidence.

After a series of slow starts in recent weeks, the home side started well and took the lead inside five minutes when Dave Williams received the ball in the circle and fired a snap-shot past the Wisbech 'keeper. Just minutes later, Williams again struck to double St Albans' lead. Rob Brown crossed from the right and, receiving the ball with his back to goal, Williams turned smartly and his well placed shot found the far corner of the net.

Williams then sealed his hat-trick within the first 15 minutes when the Wisbech goalkeeper could only parry a shot into the path of the St Albans striker, who managed to lift the ball over the 'keeper from close range.

St Albans refused to ease up, and took their lead to four goals when Tom Roberts converted a penalty stroke after some powerful running from Stephen Friend.

Wisbech, however, did not give in, and pulled a goal back when a scrappy penalty corner was prodded home from close range by the Wisbech striker.

St Albans knew that another goal should seal the win, but it was Wisbech who found the net next when Matthew Street illegally stopped an aerial pass above his shoulder in his own circle. To make matters worse, Street was also sin-binned as a result of the infringement.

St Albans dug deep and managed to see out this tricky period of the game, and managed to score a further three goals in quick succession. Captain Paul Cooper converted St Albans' second penalty stroke after a Wisbech defender had illegally tackled Williams as he was shooting at goal, before Ed Cotter got on the scoresheet following some good perseverance in the Wisbech circle.

Friend scored a deserved goal when Williams found his fellow striker at the far post, having seen his initial shot saved by the Wisbech 'keeper.

Wisbech scored a third with the last action of the game, slotting home from a penalty corner.

Nevertheless, this could not take the shine off what was an excellent win for St Albans who have taken 31 points from a maximum of 33 in the first half of the season, and go into the Christmas break with a nine point cushion at the top of the East Prem A league.