Bedfordshire based Arlesey Athletic started the afternoon's proceedings in a dogged fashion and did not allow Town to settle on the ball in the early stages. Lee Scott had the first opportunity when making room for himself only to be thwarted by a last ditch tackle as he was about to pull the trigger for a certain goal. Town were starting to get a little frustrated however on the twenty minute mark a corner from Thomas Looney was met on the volley by Aaron Hutchins and the ball sailed into the back of the net, for his third goal in three games, before the visiting keeper could even blink let alone move.

The goal woke Town up from their slumbers although the visitors continued to battle for every ball as though their lives depended on it. Josh Standford missed a good opportunity to increase Town's lead from a superb cross on the run by Looney and Terry O'Leary almost scored when clean through down the left flank but his shot missed the far post by inches. Substitute Chris Zanre, son of Manager Frank, replaced the injured O'Leary with ten minutes remaining to the break with Town still looking for the all important second goal. That finally arrived on the 43 minute mark when, following some excellent work by Lee Scott, the ball was played inside to Standford who coolly side stepped a defender before slotting the ball past a stranded keeper. Standford then proceeded to miss a golden opportunity when he did the difficult part by chesting the ball down neatly in front of goal but hit his shot wide when it looked easier to score.

Arlesey then surprisingly pulled a goal back out of the blue through Mark Phillips, as Referee Mr Marshallsay checked his watch for the break, when a lapse in the Town defence allowed the tricky centre forward to slot the ball past James Noonan from close range much to the frustration of Frank Zanre and Coach Clement Temile.

Town started the second period sluggishly and Arlesey proceeded to miss a number of good opportunities to equalise. Town weathered the storm and it was Lee Scott who was able to give his side some much needed breathing space when he was left in the clear, following a clearance out of defence, to plant the ball home on the hour mark. Thomas Kanaris then replaced Shaka Cole in a move to bolster the midfield and not allow Arlesey back into the proceedings, indeed the two goal margin made all the difference as the young visiting side began to visibly tire.

With ten minutes of play remaining left back Daryl Malcolm of all people popped up just outside the area to hit a delicious low drive into the bottom corner of the net for his first goal of the season. As the visitors tired further Lee Scott then got his second goal of the afternoon four minutes later when finishing off a good move and shortly afterwards Zanre also got on the score sheet for the first time this season when collecting the ball on the left and sending a superb low cross shot neatly into the far corner.

There was just time left on the clock for Aaron Serieux to replace the excellent Daniel Young before the Referee called a halt to the afternoon's entertainment with Town cementing their place at the top of the division.

Town now travel to Luton based Brache Sparta next Saturday, kick off 3.00, however will be without two influential players Daryl Malcolm and Aaron Hutchins in what will be a difficult contest.

 

Town Team: Noonan, B McMullen, Malcolm, T McMullen, Hutchins, Young, Looney, Cole, Scott, Standford, O'Leary Subs: Kanaris, Serieux, Zanre, D Quattromini, R Quattromini