A sensational victory at Lewes on Saturday secured the Vauxhall Opel League Division One championship for St Albans City.
Saints needed a victory to guarantee promotion and a decisive win to take the title on goal difference. The result City produced was surely one of the most remarkable in the club's history.
Saints statistics man David Taverner virtually had steam coming out of his ears. "That's the biggest away win since St Albans beat Tooting in February 1971". He said. "And Steve Perrin is the first City player to score three hat tricks in a season since John Butterfield in 1970-71" he added.
In fact, Steve Perrin scored four of the goals as Saints rattled up a scoreline that earned a £2,000 championship cheque from league sponsors Vauxhall Opel. Steve Oliver, Gary Keen and Martin Gurney were the others St Albans City scorers.
The clear-cut challenge facing Saints prompted manager John Mitchell to make a last ditch change to the side after some recent jittery performances. Ian Dowie was asked to partner Perrin. Gary Keen taking the No 12 shirt and out went Mick O’Shea, his attacking skills replaced Steve Shea who was set the task of performing a holding job in midfield.
As the results suggests Mitchell’s shuffle worked as Shea stepped in from the reserves to patrol in front of the back four like a hungry alsatian. And it was from that base that the party took place. After six minutes Ian Dowie set up Perrin and the former professional turned smartly to fire City into the lead.
One minute later Steve Oliver sprinted goalward and unleashed a stinging shot that rocketed under goalkeeper Bobby Thomsett. Saints were three up in 13 minutes when Thomsett’s poor clearance was gobbled up by Steve Perrin and he charged goalwards before guiding Saints further ahead.
Three minutes later and Perrin completed his hat trick. Watt sent over a corner and the former Crystal Palace, Plymouth Argyle and Bournemouth striker ghosted in to flick in a header.
Saints perhaps understandably went in to a sort of delayed shock. Neal Jeffrey and Terry Benning both sent in back passes that were a little close for comfort and Parris nipped in to reduce the arrears for Lewes after 34 minutes.
But it was Perrin, who has had such an influence on City’s past season, who steadied City’s nerves again on the stroke of half time. Oliver fed Dowie and the blond forward stayed strong and cool squaring the ball to Perrin who made it a five goal lead for St Albans.
Gary Keen was unleashed from the substitute’s bench after 73 minutes and he scored with his first touch after Oliver and Gurney had set up the chance.
Five minutes from time Oliver’s tantalising cross from the left fooled Thomsett and Gurney supplied the finishing touch.
The victory had taken the championship on goal difference. The news filtered through that Bromley were joining the Saints after a 2-1 win over Leyton-Wingate.
Full time Lewes 1 St Albans City 7 |
