WELWYN GC concluded their pre-season programme with a victory, ensuring an even-handed record of four wins and four losses in their build-up.
Manager Gavin Kelsey believes it’s been a good preparation for the upcoming season and his new look side are now ready for Friday night’s FA Cup tie with Enfield FC at Potters Bar.
During the build-up, the Citizens have recorded wins at St Neots, Harpenden, Redbridge and now, Cambridge City.
All WGC’s games have been away from Herns Way, as WGC’s home ground has been having a new 3G pitch installed. The work is now complete, although because of the vagaries of FA competitions, it’s not certain when the first game will be played on the new surface, It could be as early as next Tuesday (August 11th) if the Enfield tie is drawn, as that would require a replay.
This final game at Cambridge City’s very impressive two-year-old stadium, was an impressive showing from WGC as their surroundings.
They won the game with a debut goal from new midfield signing Ryan Hayes in 16 minutes, although the effort took a huge deflection off home captain Jayden Randell as he attempted to close down the impressive Hayes and the effort looped over keeper James Philp into the net.
Hayes was part of a midfield also including skipper for the day Eddie Corbit and new capture from the North, Luis Cantello, who were outstanding in the first-half, the trio allowing WGC to dominate the game.
The host Lillywhites responded to the goal with two headers just over keeper Connor Sansom’s crossbar, but, in general, WGC’s defence didn’t allow the home side much opportunity close to their goal.
Egan Ngete, at full-back got in a great challenge to clear over his own crossbar, when a long ball from Ryan Fryatt put winger Charlie Royle in, in the home side’s most dangerous move.
WGC almost had a second eight minutes from the break, when a high ball from teenage defender Frank Impey put the dangerous Kendall Gyamfi in. He outmuscled Randell to burst through, but keeper Philp just managed to deflect the effort wide.
Seven minutes into the second period, the impressive Cantello played a fine, defence-splitting pass into Gyamfi’s path. Again he shrugged off a defender, this time shooting past Philp’s dive, only to see the effort hit the foot of the post and bounce clear.
Manager Kelsey rang the changes, making five substitutions in quick succession, but WGC remained resolute in defence throughout the second-half to hang onto the goal lead and look in good shape for the challenging season ahead.
WGC: starting line-up: Sansom, Ngete, Impey, Gauthier, Dixon-Smith, Cantello, Corbit, Hayes, Annous, Gyamfi, Ralfe. Subs:- Nosike, Gordon, Rookard, Mendes, a trialist (all used). Monks (not used).
