Clinical - defined by the Oxford English dictionary as being 'cold and calm and without feeling or sympathy'.

Another definition has it as 'very efficient and without feeling'.

Whether feelings came into it, two goals in four first-half minutes put MK Irish comfortably in front of their FA Cup extra-preliminary tie with Welwyn Garden City - and they went on to close out a 2-0 win.

It was always going to be a tough game despite the fact the hosts are one level below Welwyn.

They were beaten in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division play-offs last season and have started this year with two wins, six goals scored and none conceded.

And that ability to take chances had proved the difference in the first half as despite their possession and their time spent in the Irish half, Welwyn were just not able to create anything of note.

Their one shot on target came two minutes from the end of the first 45, Brad Wadkins firing low from just outside the area but straight at keeper Tom Ladyman.

Their best chance fell to Bailey Stevenson, slid through by Lewis Croucher with just the keeper to beat.

He look steady and he looked set. Perhaps he was and perhaps it bobbled but his shot flew well over the bar.

By that point the Citizens were two down.

The first Irish attack of note needed a superb block by Alex Harris to prevent a goal.

Less than 60 seconds later though Mason Spence headed home at the back post, the ball looping up after Aiden Read had flung his body in front of a shot.

That chance had all come from the electric pace of George Shrieves and he would do it time and time again, constantly getting in behind the defence.

That included four minutes later as Welwyn were left statuesque, allowing the winger to slot the ball beyond Donnabhan Green.

Another block prevented another goal and then for once Shrieves' speed worked against him, over-running it as the half ended.

Welwyn had limited options on the bench, missing big name players like Matty Whichelow and Ryan Sellers.

It meant the teams emerged as they ended the half, the home side having only made two changes due to injuries.

The second period did bring a few chances, one of the best being a ball slid through that Wadkins spun in behind the defence.

Ladyman came out and that did enough to prevent the skipper from getting a shot off.

The real standout one though was a free-kick that was flicked on to Read. 

He only had a short amount of time to reposition himself and prod a left-foot side-foot volley towards goal.

It just rolled an inch or two wide of the near post.

The post played its part in keeping the gap to to two, Shrieves' cross finding its way yo Ryan Smith but the outside of the woodwork pushing the ball away from goal.

Shrieves had not been the same following a clash with Green and departed with less than 10 minutes to go.

City manager Marc Weatherstone had come on a minute before and his frustrations brought a yellow seven minutes later.

And with that the fight disappeared from Welwyn and Irish saw out the contest, to go through to a game at Concord Rangers.

For Welwyn, they will need to lick their wounds quickly before an opening Southern League match against Leverstock Green on Saturday.

Match details

Milton Keynes Irish (2) 2 Welwyn Garden City (0) 0

WGC: D.Green, Ejjayha, Bryant, J.Green, Read, Harris, Stevenson, Croucher (Ansell 77), Jones (Weatherstone 80), Wadkins, Jordan (Vasey 66).

Sub (not used): Croft.

Booked: J.Green 34, Stevenson 48, Weatherstone 87

 

MK Irish: Ladyman, Zawe, Hirst (Shepherd 19), Hunt (H.Coleman 67), Whitehead, Brito, Smith, Shrieves (Groom 81), Kelsey (Brooks 36), Beecher, Spence.

Sub (not used): O.Coleman.

Goals: Spence 16, Shrieves 20

Booked: Shepherd 66

 

Referee: Luke Pilley (Northamptonshire FA)

Attendance: 214