Welwyn Garden City Hockey Club's short journey to Stevenage began with trepidation but ended in jubilation as they claimed another three points.

The 3-1 win in East League Division Two South West came despite the men's first-team being without a few regular players due to half term.

It prompted skipper Dan Klinger to change tactics for the match, asking Ben Clay to step up from the seconds and man mark Stevenage's key player in midfield.

The ever-versatile Bryn Evans meanwhile stepped into the unfamiliar role of centre-back.

And Welwyn started the game brightly, causing the home side problems down the wings through Will Brady and Paul Marchant.

Dave Allmand-Smith, playing at centre forward, had the Stevenage centre-backs tied up in knots and from one attack, that play earned a penalty corner.

Evans was the recipient with his drag flick down the middle finding the backboard to put them 1-0 ahead.

WGC still pressed but they began to give possession away too easily and it allowed Stevenage to conjure up a few breaks, one of which brought the equaliser.

Welwyn were not put off though and with Callum Burr and Mark Skilbeck controlling the centre of the park, James Lutrario and Evans sent Stuart Stephen away.

He found Allmand-Smith and after the forward had beaten the defender, he squared from the baseline and Brady tucked the ball home.

The half-time team talk focused on keeping the work rate high, playing in the right areas of the pitch and not forcing the final pass.

That was doubly needed as Stevenage started the second half the stronger, only to see promising attacks fail thanks to smart defensive work by Pete Mullens and good saves by Klinger.

And at the other end Welwyn squandered some excellent chances that on another day would have seen the game put to bed.

The third goal did come though after the home keeper had made a good stop to save an Allmand-Smith shot. He couldn't, however, prevent Brady from putting the rebound away.

There is no game next week as the league enjoys a slip week but WGC return at home to Bishop's Stortford on February 25.