Teetering on the brink of a fifth consecutive Ryman League defeat, St Albans City launched a devastating final 20 minute onslaught at Wexham Park on Saturday to provide the most positive sign yet that new City manager John Kendall is starting to turn the Saints fortunes around. Kendall gave debuts to two new faces and in left back Lee Whittle appears to have found a player whose determination and will to win is infectious and brought out the best in some individuals who have consistently under-performed in recent weeks. With City a goal down and the game drifting to a seemingly inevitable Slough Town victory, Whittle put in a series of strong tackles, powerful forward runs and two crisp shots - both unfortunately blocked - which prompted other Saints to adopt a similar positive attitude which ultimately turned the game on its head.
The Rebels started brightly but with committed challenges the Saints kept the home side at bay until having a let off on 13 minutes when goalkeeper Richard Hurst fumbled a James Lambert corner before City captain Richard Goddard came to the rescue. City seldom threatened to end their goal famine during the opening 45 minutes with Danny Jones shot over the bar being the only serious attempt on Daniel Honey's goal although the keeper did need to move smartly to deal with a couple of penetrating City crosses. During this period it was Slough who called the tune with some fine controlled football but City defended stubbornly with Hurst using his legs well to deny Dwight Marshall a certain goal after Mark Hall had skilfully worked the ball into the penalty area. Midway through the half Hurst was again called into action to gather a shot from Hall after Lambert had caused further problems down the Slough left.
Slough's dominance was rewarded on 26 minutes when Mark Rooney inadvertently glanced on a near post Lambert corner which then dropped perfectly for Marshall, from virtually on the goalline, to become the Rebels leading scorer this season on four. Instead of pressing home their advantage Slough, although on top, were comfortably kept out for the remainder of the half.
Even so, Lambert's close control frequently troubled the Saints and on 51 minutes a flash of inspiration took him past three City defenders, his low cross picked out Hall but as a goal beckoned Whittle's solid tackle saw the ball ricochet off Hall and over the goal. City had another narrow escape when Mark Hawthorne's free-kick glanced off Steve Daly's head before striking an upright but the Saints suggested they were still in contention with a couple of decent, though off target, efforts from Richard Evans and Chris Piper. Following a period of stagnation the game changed on 69 minutes when Junior Samuels, laid low all week with a cold, replaced new signing Craig Wall. Three minutes City later were back on level terms as Whittle rose towards the back edge of the penalty area to head a David Pratt corner into the goalmouth where Samuels applied a deft header to glance the ball over Honey. Suddenly City were transformed and Slough had no answer as the Saints broke forward in increasing numbers with Piper at last returning to the form he showed last season. Honey's goal had already survived a couple of dangerous moments before Jones sent Samuels clear of the defence but as the veteran striker dithered Keith McPherson was able to slide in with a goal saving tackle.
City's resurgence was almost curtailed when Damien Markman broke clear only to be hauled back by Ryan Moran who was perhaps fortunate to receive just a yellow card. But the Saints quickly returned to the offensive and on 79 minutes scored an excellent goal. The ball was worked patiently across the pitch until Robbie Simpson laid a good pass down the right to Pratt whose low ball across the face of the goal was swept high into the net by Piper. There was simply no stopping Piper now as he skipped around three defenders before having a shot deflected narrowly wide and Honey spilled another effort from the rejuvenated midfielder whilst the Rebels goal had one final let off when neither Samuels nor Piper could take advantage of Simpson's cross.
Report by Dave Tavener |
