Welwyn Garden City fell to an eighth league defeat of the season as they were beaten at home by Shefford & Sandy.

The 2-1 loss in East League Division Two South West was frustrating for the men's first team at the Hertfordshire Sports Village-based hockey club who allowed the visitors' to get under their skin.

The first half was a very competitive affair. Nate Last was stopped illegally on two attacks while both goalkeepers made great diving saves at the feet of the oncoming attackers.

Bryn Evans was denied by a brilliant last-ditch clearance and Mark Skilbeck and Nick Reilly were combining well in midfield.

Most of the Shefford attacks were thwarted by the excellent James Fowler who was just not letting anybody past.

However, when he was bypassed by a slick break, it resulted in WGC giving away a penalty corner.

That was duly sent beyond Dan Klinger in goal and it got worse just before half time.

Another breakaway was initially well saved by Klinger but the attacker was first to the rebound and his shot hit Rob Sansom on the arm on the line.

The result was penalty flick which again was clinically slotted home.

Welwyn's play was pretty effective in the second half though and bar a couple of clearances from Klinger, it was the Shefford keeper who was the busier of the two.

And Welwyn kept creating chances.

Dave Allmand-Smith smashed wide when in a good position before Evans saw a shot well saved.

Paul Marchant missed the target and even Pete Mullens was close to getting in on the action.

In the end a last-minute penalty stroke, scored by Allmand-Smith, was all they could muster.

One final effort from Evans was stopped from going into the far corner but time run out on Welwyn who are now eighth in the table.

They go to bottom of the league Blueharts on Saturday.

There was another 2-1 result against Shefford but this one went the way of Welwyn and the men's second team, a result that keeps them third in Division Four South West.

That proved to be on the only win on the day for the club.

The ladies' first team suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead, the same result against the same opposition also coming for the thirds.

The ladies' fourths were beaten 7-1 by Broxbourne.