Welwyn Garden City striker Stuart King in action

Welwyn Garden City in heavy defeat away at Chalfont St Peter

WELWYN Garden City boss Phil Reid was unhappy with the refereeing as his Citizens side fell to a 4-0 away defeat to high-flying Chalfont St Peter on Saturday.

Benny Hughes gave the hosts the lead after just 14 minutes when he capitalised on a defensive error, and that lead was extended only three minutes later when John Carroll blasted home a free-kick.

Richard Pearce hit the bar for the visitors in what was a well-contested South Midlands Premier Division encounter.

At half-time City were 2-0 down, but certainly not out of the game after a spirited performance.

Reid said: “The first two goals came from a bad defensive error and a free-kick that shouldn’t have been given, so that was disappointing.

“But our boys showed first half they were all up for it, and just had to keep on going and putting on the pressure.”

The second period saw WGC dominate, with Stuart King looking a real threat up front. But despite creating a host of chances, the ball would just not cross the Chalfont line.

And the home side made WGC pay 10 minutes from time when Lee Togwell netted his side’s third goal, and only three minutes later, with City pushing for a goal, Chalfont broke and Adam Malph slotted home.

Reid added: “It was never a 4-0 game, for 35 minutes in the second half we slaughtered them. Although we lost I thought we played well, the lads can hold their heads up high.”

“I thought the referee had a very poor game, he didn’t seem to give us anything all game.”