St Albans City's remarkable recovery under new manager John Kendall showed no sign of abating at New Lodge on Sunday as the Saints disposed of a Chelmsford City side yet to suffer a defeat in the Eastern Division of the Dr Martens League this season and the Saints achievement was all the more commendable as they became the first this side this season to stop Billericay's lodgers from scoring.
Saints reward for ending Chelmsford's FA Trophy ambitions for another year is a trip to the New Forest for a first ever showdown on 2 December with another Dr Martens side, Bashley and given the Saints dramatic upturn in fortunes it could be that Kendall's biggest problem will be guarding against overconfidence.
The Saints expected a severe test from the table topping Essex club but with two outstanding goals from French international Amara Simba and possibly the Saints best defensive display this season, St Albans' place in the 2nd Round was seldom called into question. For a while during the second period Chelmsford bossed the play territorially but the Saints backline, particularly Ryan Moran and Mark Rooney, was superb.
St Albans began well with Gary Ansell looking positive and David Pratt having a field day down the right flank but twice inside the opening four minutes chances went begging as Simba failed to take advantage of two half chances. Chelmsford first threatened on 22 minutes when Rob Walker crossed but for once the Clarets formidable Steve Portway failed to add to the 19 goals already notched this season.
Inside the next ten minutes the Saints just about settled the issue. In the 27th minute Simba was fouled on the edge of the penalty area by Ian Cousins, City were called back by referee Downs for taking the kick too quickly and how relieved they were to be given a second chance. This time the Frenchman dispelled with passing the ball and instead arrowed a low shot across home keeper Phil Catley and despite the custodian getting a hand to the ball he could not prevent Simba from opening the scoring.
That goal was good enough but the second was even better. Pratt and Rooney seemed to be trapped out wide by the touchline before Rooney's back heel found Pratt in space and with a brilliant first time cross he placed the ball on the edge of the six yard box for the incoming Simba to leap between two static defenders and plant a powerful header high into the back of Catley's goal.
Sandwiched between the two goals Craig Newman went close with a long range effort for Chelmsford but it was little more than a minor irritant to the Saints domineering defence.
St Albans played with a gusty wind to their backs after the interval but had a scare on 47 minutes when a dipping effort from the impressive Ross Taylor was smartly palmed over by Richard Hurst. The visitors were next to threaten with a lovely move twice involving Pratt ending with the same player slicing a shot well wide following neat touches from Simba and Ansell.
Following a curling effort wide by Lee Harvey the Saints were forced to defend for a lengthy period as Chelmsford sought to salvage their unbeaten home record. Moran slid in with a marvellously well timed block to keep out a Portway cross while the striker who is Gravesend's all time top scorer had a point blank header saved low down by Hurst. Chelmsford's clearest two chances, however, fell to Neil Housley but the former Salisbury player somehow miscued his first shot away from goal while Hurst spread himself well to block the second effort after Taylor's through ball had sent Housley clear.
As Chelmsford's heads visibly dropped in the closing stages the Saints peppered Catley's goal with long range efforts from Chris Piper, Spencer Knight and Ansell but it was already evident that Kendall's side had clinched a fifth consecutive, even so Mr Downs strange decision to blow for time 44 seconds early was appreciated by the windswept victors.
Report by Dave Tavener |
