Welwyn Garden City's men are still searching for their first win of the East Hockey League season after finding it tough going in the warm weather at home to neighbours St Albans.

They had turned round level in the Division Two South West clash at De Havilland but the Tangerines got the better of it in the second period, winning 5-1.

Being short staffed against a squad with a full bench didn't help but there were positives in the first half.

The defence of Pete Mullens, Rob Sansom, James Fowler and James Lutrario, as well as goalkeeper Dan Klinger, did an excellent job of frustrating the St Albans attacks.

And using the counter-attack to devastating effect, they took the lead when Stuart Stephen passed to Dave Allmand-Smith and after evading a couple of defenders, he found the back of the goal.

St Albans pulled one back just before half-time and picked up the pace after the break as WGC become more and more drained in the sunshine.

And despite plenty of grit and determination, four more goals, three in quick succession, handed Saints a comfortable win.

The result leaves them 10th with one point from four games.

They travel to Hertford on Saturday, the side one place below them.