Ward leaves his role as Arlesey Town manager after poor start

The former Millwall, Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers defender, who played in the Premier League for Watford, took over in the summer, but has seen his side sitting adrift at the foot of the SSML Premier Division table with eight successive defeats, as they are already six points adrift of second bottom Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.

A club statement said: “Arlesey Town can confirm that we have parted ways with manager Darren Ward by mutual consent. Darren came on board during a period of considerable change over the summer and wholeheartedly threw himself into the project. His dedication, commitment and integrity cannot be questioned. However, sadly results have not transpired on the pitch for a multitude of reasons, and performances have not reflected the hard work going on behind the scenes.

"It's become necessary for the committee to make a change and try a different approach in order to secure Step 5 Football for the football club. That was our goal at the start of this campaign, which was the first step to rejuvenating the club, based on a more stable foundation. That continues to be our target this season. We would like to place on record our thanks to Darren for all the hard work so far and wish him nothing but the best for the future. We will take a moment to consider our options, progress with various internal discussions and make a further statement soon.”

Arlesey were thrashed 8-3 at home by Sawbridgeworth Town on Saturday as Ugonna Ndudi scored twice, with Peniel Mayiza also on target, but a flurry of late goals saw the visitors run out huge winners. They also lost on Monday evening too, beaten 2-0 at AFC Welwyn as they next host Dunstable FC in the Premier Division Cup on Tuesday night.

» Potton United made hard work of defeating Huntingdon Town in their Gladwish Challenge Trophy first round match on Saturday, returning with a 1-0 triumph, writes Nigel Westhorp.

With a couple of players still injured, manager Jack Galatis took the opportunity of resting some of his first-teamers, as he also welcomed back Sam Galatis in goal and Taylor Rhiney on loan from Hitchin Town. Early on, Taylor Keely’s shot was saved by the keeper, as Potton were controlling most of the play, but losing possession with the final pass on a bumpy pitch.

Edie Connolly sent Myles Jackson through, who was tackled on the edge of the area, while Terry Offeh’s weak shot was straight at the keeper, Kieran Southgate having an attempt deflected behind. Potton’s defence gave the ball away allowing Liam Farrar to shoot, Galatis forced into a full-length diving stop, as just before the interval, Elliott Powell headed over from a corner, before Rhiney was off target.

In the second period, Harry Dollimore came on and fired into the side-netting, also forcing a good save from the home stopper, Rhiney nodding the rebound over. Galatis denied Abel Ndembo, but with 69 minutes gone, Potton scored what proved to be the winner when a through ball from Jackson found Harleigh Johnson-Standley on the left as he cut in and broke the deadlock with a fierce low shot.

United dominated the remainder of the game with Tommy Blennerhassett slicing well over, as Rhiney’s attempt was repelled along with one from Blennerhassett, as he went on to hit the post late on. This weekend, Potton host Everett Rovers in the league.