A warm sunny Autumn day for the visit of local rivals, Boreham Wood, home of former Saints Lee Harvey and, signed yesterday, Kenny Addai. The Woood are unbeaten in seven games but they are draw specialists, and are mid table. City top the league by 3 points over Aldershot, who have a game in hand.
Lessons having been learnt from the midweek game and the advice in my colleague's match report, The Dynamic Duo selected Wilmot in goal; 4 at the back: Moran, Townley, Campbell and Naylor; 4 in the midfield: Oakes, Challinor, Castle and Smith; and up front: Martin and Crawshaw. On the bench were Brown, Keen, Hollenbach, Evans and De Souza.
The Saints were slow to settle and the visitors had the better of the opening exchanges in the first few minutes. The defence were solid, however, with Townley in particular at his best. City were the more threatening team, over the first half. In his programme notes, The Chairman forecast that a number of teams will try to prevent St. Albans playing football and this was one. On days like this the midfield must show its class, and today, in large measure, we weren't quite firing on all cylinders. Few clear chances were created but just before half time, a super goal livened the game. Crawshaw won the ball wide on the left, passed back to Smith who crossed. Martin, with his back to goal, flicked the ball up over his right shoulder, turned, and lobbed the visitors keeper with the outside of his right foot. Goal of the season, so far. 1-0. H.T.
Wood stepped up the pace from the start of the second half. Harvey was their MotM and kept the City strikers in check. The Saints back 4 were busy but comfortable. Moran played well. Keen came on for the disappointing Oakes and De Souza for the tiring Martin. Borehamwood pressed for the equaliser for the last 10 minutes in particular. In injury time, Crawshaw battled to regain possession inside the City half successfully, the ball fell to Challinor who passed wide left to the sprinting Smith. An early cross found the unmarked Keen who coolly beat the visitors' keeper. 2-0. F.T.
Not a classic. City dug deep today but were good value for the 3 points. My contenders for MotM were Townley, Campbell, Moran and Crawshaw. Three defenders says it all. The Sponsor chose Townley. Borehamwood chased and harried well but even with a couple of players under par, The Saints had enough. Another very good crowd of just over 700, with under 100 up from The South.
Entertainment 6/10. Atmosphere 5/10. Technical Merit 6/10. Referee 4/10.
Match report by Homer |
