Saints served up a ten goal bonanza to obliterate little Ampthill in the Wallspan Floodlit Cup at Clarence Park on Tuesday night. Midfielder Steve Oliver notched his first hat-trick for Saints as the United Counties League side were buried under a tide of goals.
It was City's most resounding success since their ten-goal battering of Banstead Athletic two years ago. Rob Smale, Phil Driver, Alan Paradise. Mark Biggins, Warren Kelly, Tony Perks and John Friend were the other scorers. The first time that eight different players have made the score sheet since City's 9-1 over Ware 12 years ago.
Ampthill, winners of this competition last year, were hardly groomed for a first round upset having lost all 15 of the league games this season.
Perks and Friend put Saints two goals up after eight minutes and Paradise, Biggins and Driver's first goal for Saints secured a five goal interval lead.
Apart from a 20 minute spell in the first half, Saints always looked like scoring with every push forward. Oliver replaced Biggins at half time and took just two minutes to open his account before sealing his hat-trick in the 77th and 81st minutes.
City's best goal was probably the last one with Warren Kelly waltzing past two defenders before firing home.
Full time St Albans City 10 Ampthill 0
Team Pearson, Kelly, Bradley, Benning, Paradise, Biggins, Perks, Friend, Fletcher, Smale and Driver. Sub Oliver (for Biggins) |