Despite a yellow card being shown to central defender Arran Pugh in the 4th minute, this was soon forgotten as within ten minutes of the kick off we were two up through strikers Liam Eddy and Ben Watson.

Jordan Copp, making only his second start in the last ten games, fed a ball through to Eddy to clip the ball over an already diving Arlesey ‘keeper Aiden Grant for the first, and four minutes later man of the match Dan Green was heavily involved in an attack which finished with Watson’s left footed effort finding the back of the net.

Copp and Pugh could have both increased the lead before the visitors, skippered by former City favourite Barry Hayles on the day, started to rally.

Their top league goalscorer Jonny McNamara shot woefully wide in the 26th minute, before home goalkeeper Ollie Chenoweth was brought into action saving from Hayles.

Meanwhile back at the other end, our top goalscorer Eddy now on 10 in all competitions, could well have increased that as his attempted lob wasn’t quite high enough to escape the hands of Grant.

The second half followed the first 45 minutes, with City having more of the possession, although not able to turn it into goals. Just past the hour Eddy was replaced by Les Afful, and the little man came close on a couple of occasions of breaking through while skipper Paul Kendall shot over and Joe Broad watched an effort cleared off the line.

All in all though, it was a welcome three points, the first of many as manager Steve Massey looks forward to climbing the table.

City: Chenoweth; Tully, White, Kendall, Pugh, Broad, Green, Lowry, Watson (Brokenshire 84), Eddy (Afful 62), Copp (Cooke 77).
Subs not used: Daw, Gildin.

Goals: Eddy (6th) 1-0, Watson (10th) 2-0.

Yellow card: Pugh.

Man of the match: Dan Green.

Crowd: 312.

Referee: Mark Derrien (Dorset)