London Colney consolidated top spot in the South Midlands Premier Division after their 1-0 win at Welwyn Garden City on Saturday.

The Blueboys’ latest victory leaves them eight points clear after ten wins from their opening 12 games.

London Colney made a bright start and went close early on through Greg Shaw but he fired his effort into the side netting.

But the key moment in the game came four minutes before the break when Danny Payne brought down Spencer Clarke-Mardel in the area.

Shaw stepped up and drilled the ball past goalkeeper Olly Leslie for the opening goal.

London Colney almost added a second shortly after the break but Archie McClelland’s close-range effort flew wide.

Welwyn nearly levelled the contest through Lee Armitt but his stinging shot was parried by goalkeeper Tom Gowans.

The hosts were reduced to ten men when Martin Standen received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Clarke-Mardel.

There was a late escape for the visitors when Gregg Douglas cleared the ball off the line from James Ewington’s effort.

Colney visit St Margaretsbury on Saturday.