Peace on earth, goodwill to all men. Well the people of St Albans are showing
remarkable Christmas spirit this year. Financial disarray and the absence of
the Executives of The Club for the past 2 months yet still a game goes ahead.
It's amazing. Well done to the supporters, managers and players of The Mighty
Saints.
Not only does this game take place, City come into their Christmas programme
following 6 straight League victories, having scored 10 goals in their last
two games, both on the road, and they are up to 6th in the table. Remarkable
team spirit and a great atmosphere all around this Club.
Great disappointment that the Boxing Day fixture against Hendon was postponed
due to frost and here we are here today on a grey Winter's day with a hint of
snow in the air.
Today, the visitors are Bedford Town who have in their ranks former Saints,
Paul Turner and (little) Lee Harvey. Andy Lomas is the Assistant Manager.
Bedford were promoted from the !st Division last season but have struggled to
score goals this term and they are second from bottom of the Premier
Division. Nice people and a great travelling support.
For today, The Dynamic Duo selected Willmot in goal, 3 at the back: Moran,
Brown (C) and Campbell; 5 in the middle: Wraight, Kean, Sugrue, Smith and
Rattle; and up front: Martin and Bignal. On the bench were Nabil,
Mackail-Smith and Cook. In the stand were the suspended Evans, the injured
Honeyball and Ansell, Heider and Birmingham.
It was a scrappy first half. Neither side was able to take control of the
game and the back line of both defences were comfortably in command.. For
City a couple of half chances fell to Martin, Bignal and a header to
Campbell, none of which tested the visitors' keeper, but for Bedford, Wilmot
certainly was tested, and he passed with flying colours, twice, with
excellent full-length saves. H.T. 0-0.
It was a strange second half. Saints didn't, or perhaps weren't allowed to,
play the flowing football that we have seen over the last 3 or 4 games and
they looked 'rusty', not having played a match for two weeks. They resorted
to the long ball too often which allowed the veteran Paul Turner to shine in
the Town midfield. Probably to his relief, he wasn't tested for pace. For
their part, Bedford are a well-organised side, clearly 'up' for the game and
they looked the more dangerous in attack. Moran and Brown impressed me for
City, but the midfield was not functioning today. Nabil came on for Kean,
showed flashes, but he too, looked rusty. In the last few minutes, Bedford
came closest to securing 3 points, but were again denied by a fine save from
Wilmot. F.T. 0-0.
The biggest gate of the season at The Park, 760, were disappointed. Perhaps
200 Bedford fans probably thought that they deserved better than 1 point, and
the remaining home fans know that City can do much better. The first League
game of the season without a Saints goal, the first 0-0 draw and the end of a
fine winning sequence. Still. Be positive. Undefeated in 7. The match
sponsors, www.sacfc.co.uk, awarded the Safeway MotM to Brown, the ball
sponsors, Kirsop & Co., would have given it to Moran, but for me , it was
Wilmot. The managers will take the draw today, and no doubt, work them hard
on the training ground. By my calculations, 101 points is 'on' which will
challenge if the Islanders slip up.
Entertainment 5/10. Atmosphere 7/10. Technical Merit 5/10. Referee 5/10.
Next up. Away at Maidenhead on New Years Day and then back to The Park next
Saturday, January 5th for the local derby with Boreham Wood (which should be
spelt Borehamwood, surely. There may be a story there.). Woood again on
Tuesday, January 8th at Clarence Park for the Herts Senior Cup quarter final.
Groundhog Day. Happy New Year everyone.
Report by Homer |
