Today we welcome St Albans City to the Melbourne Stadium, in
the third round qualifying stage of the FA trophy. The Saints complete their
second league distraction in as many weeks, travelling to Essex fresh from FA
Cup action. Last weekend St Albans exited the competition after suffering a
heavy 8-1 loss at home to League Two side Mansfield Town in front of over 3500
fans. The Saints started well, with Darren Locke rifling a header into the back
of the net within the first ten minutes to put the home side ahead. With a cup
upset in mind, they led for over half an hour before the Stags could respond.
Finally the home sides defence was broken down, and Mansfield scored two in
quick succession to make sure they were in front at the interval. They showed
their superiority in the second half adding a further six as St Albans recorded
their second highest loss in the history of the competition.
The Saints have started their league season well, sitting
comfortably in the top half of the table having taken 21 points from their
first 13 games. Before last weekend they had an impressive 11 game unbeaten run
which stretches back as far as September, four of these coming from league
matches. The side have not been starved
of goalmouth action, recording a 5-2 home win against AFC Totton and 7-3 away
victory over Truro City earlier in the season.
Joint managers James Grey and Graham Golds will be pleased
with their work so far as their side begins to form a tough opposition for
other members of the Calor League Premier Division. The pair took charge in
December of last year and will be hoping to make a success of their first full
season in charge. Summer signing John Frendo has proved a valid addition to the
team, scoring 9 league goals in 13 games. Frendo arrived from league rivals
Hitchin Town after he scored 44 times in his 48 games last season, and was the
division’s highest goal scorer. He has not disappointed so far and immediately
came back to haunt his former side by converting a penalty against them on the
opening day of the campaign. Another player to look out for is former Claret,
Ben Martin, who returns today having made his summer move to Clarence Park,
arriving from last season’s Conference South winners, Welling United.
With St Albans residing a tier below Chelmsford, today will
be a good test of what may lay in store for the Saints, should they be able to
push on and gain promotion in the current campaign. The sides have met seven
times previously, with the Clarets having the upper hand on four occasions. St
Albans have been victorious once, and shared two draws in previous meets. The
teams last competed in the 2010/11 season, recording a 1-1 draw in Essex, and a
2-0 victory to Chelmsford at Clarence Park.
After today, St Albans face another tough test in their midweek
fixture when they travel to fellow promotion contenders Cambridge City.
Following our FA trophy meet, we wish them luck in their league campaign as
they attempt a return to the Conference South.
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