St Albans City joint manager James Gray believes John Frendo’s hat-trick on Monday night will do him the world of good after a troubled week for the striker at Clarence Park.

Frendo issued an apology last week and was handed the maximum fine available to the club after missing the Saints’ FA Cup defeat to Concord Rangers.

It is understood he was in Spain for El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona on the day of their cup exit. The striker returned to the side on Saturday but failed to find the net during the 2-0 defeat at Bath City.

But Frendo ended a six-game drought by scoring three times as City fought back from 3-0 down to defeat Cheshunt 5-3 in the Herts Senior Cup at Clarence Park on Monday.

Gray said: “I thought he did a good shift tonight. He’s looked a bit out of sorts goals wise but he could have had a couple more tonight and worked himself into some good areas. I'm pleased for him to get his hat-trick.

“As a striker you need to keep those goals coming for the confidence and that will do him the world of good. Hopefully we can kick on for Saturday and get some more goals for him.”

The hosts got off to a disastrous start on Monday as a John Megicks goal and a brace from Adam Bolle made it 3-0 to the Ryman Division One North side after 32 minutes.

Frendo pulled one back before David Keenleyside’s excellent finish gave the Saints renewed hope heading into the second half.

It was 3-3 eight minutes after the restart when Frendo converted a penalty and City took the lead for the first time when Keenleyside headed home his second of the game.

The Saints finished off their opponents late on when Frendo completed his hat-trick to book a second round tie at Kings Langley.

Reflecting on their sluggish start, Gray said: “That wasn’t the plan and we got caught cold a little bit with lots of changes. It’s not making excuses and some of the goals they scored were sloppy from our point of view.

“It’s something we spoke about at half-time and got a lot better at in the second half.

“I never really panicked and was more concerned with the way we gave the goals away and we were a bit sloppy in the final third with our possession. But it was ten fold better in the second half where we managed to keep the ball better.”

The Saints fielded two trialists with defender Omar Beckles and striker Nathan Peacock given the chance to impress.

Gray said: “They were two lads I wanted to have a look at. Omar's playing down at Hornchurch and I put an approach in. He comes highly recommended and I thought he had a good game tonight.

“You can see he’s been playing week in, week out whereas Nathan has been out of the game for about four weeks.

“He’s from St Neots and he kept working and tried to get into positions.

“We’ve got another friendly against Arlesey behind closed doors on Wednesday where I can get more minutes into these kinds of lads.”

It was a welcome win for the side after a disappointing showing at Bath in the Conference South on Saturday.

Gray, whose side host Whitehawk this weekend, said: “It’s a long way to come down here and I don’t really think we gave a big enough fight of it in the second half.

“But this league’s unforgiving and we’re finding out the hard way at the minute.”

The Harpenden Construction Limited October 2014 player of the month is Joe Welch. The award will be presented prior to Saturday's game against Whitehawk by Phill Spokes, CEO of last month's sponsors allseven24.

There is a St Albans team and supporters coach going to Basingstoke Town for the game on Saturday, November 15. The coach will depart at 11am from the Clarence Park entrance to the ground.  

To reserve seats, call Ian Rogers on 07714 145862 or you can book £10 seats at this Saurday's game against Whitehawk.