Triple tonic for AFC Telford's Liam Watson - analysis and pictures

Flowing, attacking football lit up the New Bucks Head as Liam Watson's side ran amok from the off, pulling the away defence apart.

Three changes to the starting line-up, one enforced, for the third match of five in two weeks reaped rewards as Adam Farrell, Charlie Barnett and Robbie Booth breathed life into the Bucks.

Had it not been for the heroics of on-loan Blackburn teenager Matthew Urwin, looking every bit a top-class goalkeeper with a stunning display, Telford could have been reaching for the record books.

Between the sticks, the 17-year-old denied anyone and everyone, despite being breached three times himself. The list went on and on.

Urwin denied Matthew McGinn, Booth, Wes Baynes, Mike Grogan, Sean Clancy on three occasions and Tony Gray no fewer than five times. Neill Byrne also headed wide.

The most dominant performance of the Watson era came against a team that had won their previous three matches, operating under a new manager as a full-time club.

On form, it didn't look like a 'gimme' for the Bucks but the way they went about their business made it look any way you like.

Men against boys, lambs to the slaughter, describe it how you want. If Telford switch this on every week, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Goals from Farrell, a first since August for Clancy, and a maiden Bucks goal for Grogan – who scored at both ends – saw Telford ease to three points against their 10-man visitors.

Signals of Telford's intent came in the first minute as they bombed forward in numbers, with a three-man move nearly resulting in the opener.

The recalled Barnett couldn't get out of the blocks quick enough and he picked up the ball and lofted a lovely ball into the head of Farrell, who showed sharpness in thought to find Gray.

Farrell nodded the ball across where Gray had stolen a yard on the Stalybridge defence, only for his shot to go horribly awry as it flew wide.

Stalybridge kept Telford at bay for all of two more minutes as Farrell cut strike partner Gray out and went it alone from another perfect Barnett delivery.

Farrell, back in the starting line-up for the injured Andy Owens, applied the finish this time, as the ball dropped from virtually in the same spot, to slot low under the sprawl of Urwin.

The only sign of the goalkeeper putting a foot wrong came inside an action-packed first 10 minutes, slicing a clearance to Robbie Booth under pressure from Gray. Ultimately, it came to nothing.

By the 16th minute it was 2-0, Clancy wheeling away in delight after stooping to direct a header under Urwin from, again, another Barnett ball in.

It became a mountain to climb for Stalybridge three minutes later when star man Sean McConville was dismissed by referee Matthew Parry, for an elbow on Simon Grand followed by a push and some back chat in the resulting melee. The man in the middle took his time dismissing the player – the sending off appeared to be the result of two quick-fire bookings.

Stalybridge's Lewis Hatch followed him into the referee's notebook, booked for a late tackle on Grogan as he looked to be losing his grip on the game.

Urwin also played the pain game as he collided with Farrell, coming off worse after rushing off his line to clear.

There was no rest for the wicked as two strong hands from Urwin pushed away McGinn's drive from outside of the box on 38 minutes, before Byrne missed a header when well placed.

Urwin had to be brave again to deny Gray brilliantly at his feet six minutes before the break, before beating away a second effort from the striker less than 60 seconds later.

The best save of the game saw Clancy denied a second goal, Urwin somehow palming out his header low to his left with the net gaping.

In stoppage time, it was Urwin again to Stalybridge's rescue to deny Booth. And that was just in the first half alone.

The away goalkeeper picked up where he left off with a brilliant double save to deny Clancy on 47 minutes, when he seemed odds on to score.

Gray again fired wide before Grogan hammered another shot on goal just after the hour, which stung the hands of Urwin as he somehow guided the ball to safety.

In the 63rd minute, Urwin was finally beaten for a third time and by the same player, too, as Grogan netted his first goal for the Bucks.

He made the victory well and truly safe in the 63rd minute as he beat Urwin at his far post, after Gray had been denied.

Even after that, Telford continued to turn the screw. Clancy's outstretched boot just missing substitute Sean Cooke's pull-back from the byline for what proved to be an elusive second goal.

Any notions that it was going to be Gray's day ended when he pounced on a loose ball in the box and got his shot away, only for Urwin to thwart him low to his left.

Urwin then parried a long drive from right-back Baynes, while substitute Mat Bailey's header dropped narrowly wide of the post.

But Grogan was left with his heads in his hands on 89 when substitute Paul Ennis' ball in went over the defence with Byrne and Grogan rushing in, the latter turning the ball into his own net.

Very few people cared by the time they left the New Bucks Head. Most had been thoroughly entertained. Some were not expecting to be. Will the real Telford please stand up?