An experimental St Albans City side crashed out of the Herts Senior Cup at Meadow Park on Tuesday night as near neighbours Boreham Wood secured a Second Round tie at home to Leverstock Green despite a spirited late fightback by Dave Andersons side.
Leading by a comfortable three goal margin at the interval, and looking set for more, Wood held out to hand the Saints a sixth defeat in seven cup ties despite strikes from Hasim Deen and, in the final minute, Craig O'Connor with his first goal for the club.
Anderson made seven changes to the starting XI that drew at Fisher at the weekend but stated that he was not taking the competition lightly as he had only previously lost one county cup tie. By the interval it was inevitable that defeat number two was on its way.
With just one win from their previous eight games Wood’s recent form had been no better than that of their struggling visitors but Steve Cook’s side were ahead inside 16 minutes when Elliot Onochie took advantage of a slip by Reiss Noel to fire the home side ahead.
The rest of the half was a dour midfield tussle during which St Albans failed to muster a single shot and City hopes of staying in contention were shattered when Simon Thomas netted a quick fire brace. On 38 minutes Thomas smartly headed home a Chris Watters corner and two minutes later the striker claimed his 16th goal of the season when Saints keeper Nick Eyre was left completely exposed.
City gave a first run out of the season to long term injury victim Ben Martin during the second half and the giant defender not only came through unscathed but also strengthened a suspect defence with a number of good headed clearances.
With a more solid backline, the Saints began to impose themselves on the game as the half wore on and during the final 35 minutes won a remarkable ten corners. And it was from a corner that City reduced the deficit on 61 minutes. A Paul Armstrong corner was returned to him by Tegana James, and after beating one defender Armstrong crossed for Deen to score with a fine diving header from 15 yards.
Despite the improved second half showing City were unable to give home keeper Noel Imber too many further problems until injury time when a Scott Cousins corner on the City left was met by Deen whose shot was blocked but turned over the goalline from close in by O’Connor.
Report by David Tavener |
