Welwyn United Ladies leapfrogged Hitchin Town Canaries to go top of the league with a convincing 3-0 win at King George’s.

The visitors looked to break down Welwyn early on only to be frustrated by the ever-reliable Lucy Spear and Tracey Pilon who were putting in solid tackles to break up the play and turn the tide in Welwyn's favour.

Laura Agnew went close to opening the scoring on 17 minutes when she grazed the bar from a corner, and had another chance soon after when Pilon played a sublime defence-splitting pass, but Agnew’s strike was collected by the Canaries’ keeper. 

Welwyn were growing into the game and it was becoming a case of when, not if, they’d score.

Just after the half hour mark, in-form Emma Bowers drove to the edge of box and lashed the ball across the Hitchin keeper for 1-0 - her fifth goal in four games. 

The hosts looked to capitalise and were soon 2-0 up after confusion in the Hitchin box saw the visitors fail to clear the ball.

Rosa Spear’s shot was blocked but Ellie Whitfield was quickest to react to the rebound as she put Welwyn in control at half time.

Almost immediately in the second half it was 3-0 as Bowers put a neat ball across the face of goal, leaving Pilon with the simple task of tapping it home.

They could’ve had four soon after; Bowers again turning provider with a ball across goalmouth that somehow evaded both the onrushing Pilon and Abigail Rowark. 

More chances came and went as Welwyn looked to add to their tally, but despite their dominance they couldn’t find the net.

Any forays for Hitchin into the Welwyn half were mopped up by the staunch home defence; Kristal French and Nicola Mcrae particularly impressive.

Rowark went close in the closing stages, first with a free kick and then a shot that sailed over the bar from a corner before the heavens opened just as the referee called time.

Welwyn are unbeaten in the league so far and travel to Bedford Central Women on Sunday.