A second half Scott Rendell penalty condemned St Albans City to defeat in their final friendly of the summer on Saturday, as Garry Hill’s National League Woking rounded off their preparations with a 1-0 victory at Clarence Park.

The result made for a pleasing return to the Park for Cards manager Hill who, as City boss, guided the Saints to the semi-final of the FA Trophy 16 years ago.

Speaking after the game the Woking manager was also happy with Saturday’s run out and even Jimmy Gray seemed fairly content when offering the view from the home bench.

The game itself seldom scaled any great heights and it did appear that both teams just wanted it out of the way as quickly as possible with the serious football getting underway next weekend.

City supporters had their first glimpse of Scott Thomas, signed the previous day from neighbours Boreham Wood. Thomas, 25, played in all three games between the two clubs last season and also for the opening 45 minutes of the friendly at Meadow Park last month.

A defensive midfielder the former Watford youngster settled in most promisingly with his new team mates.

Striker Louie Theophanous, signed earlier in the week from Farnborough, also had his first run out on home soil but struggled to make much headway against the Cards backline.

Both players cost the Saints a transfer fee but the club has refused to give any details.

Woking included three trialists and four new signings in their starting XI. One face familiar to the Park was that of former City midfielder Godfrey Poku, who joined the Cards in the summer.

Attacking the York Rod goal, Woking had the better of the early exchanges but found the City defence in good form, with Ben Martin in particular, winning numerous headers.

Martin was joined by Darren Locke in the middle of the back four with James Comley moving to right back and John Kyriacou switching flanks to cover for the injured Lee Chappell.

With Joe Welch in Columbia attending a family wedding, Tom Coulton took the No.1 jersey and gave a most accomplished display.

Coulton was first called into action to take a firm drive from Bruno Andrade and then looked on as Keiran Murtagh shot over the bar when set up by Toby De Silva.

City, although not overrun, had to wait 28 minutes before finding a way through the Cards defence.

Sam Corcoran started a fine move out on the City right and darted into the penalty area to collect a return pass from Comley only to scuff his rushed shot well wide of Jake Cole’s goal.

Just prior to the interval a good City move down the opposite flank saw Corcoran dummy a cut-back by Simon Thomas for Lewis Hilliard to latch onto only to fire over the target.

Seven minutes after the restart Andrade beat Kyriacou inside the penalty area with a wonderful piece of control and swift turn only to be shoved to the ground by Hilliard.

Rendell made no mistake from the penalty spot, as he sent Coulton the wrong way from the ensuing spot kick.

Andrade, sent away by Giuseppe Sole, had a good opportunity to add a second for the Cards but was denied low down Coulton.

City hit back with one of their more productive spells of the afternoon but a weak effort by Corcoran, following a short pass from Theophanous, and a shot over the top by the new signing was as close as the home side came to scoring.

Midway through the half St Albans looked to liven things up with six substitutions. Garry Hill said that he was pleased that City did this, as it meant a good work out for his side against fresh legs for the final 25 minutes.

Coulton’s most memorable moment in a highly impressive performance saw him pull off an outstanding point blank instinctive save from Sole, following cross from the Woking right by full-back Jake Caprice, at the expense of a corner.

Jimmy Gray confirmed Michael Malcolm and Rod Young have not been retained, and that Greg Ngoyi will not be returning to Clarence Park. Full back Howard Hall has joined National League South rivals Hayes & Yeading United.

Billy Gibson was given a second run out on Saturday but Gray is uncertain whether or not the midfielder will be offered terms.

St Albans play their fifth game in 11 days on Tuesday (4th August) with a Herts Charity Cup 1st Round tie away to Southern League Division One Central side Ware. Kick off at Wodson Park is at 7.45pm.

Recent signing Luke Allen is expected to return to the side and goalkeeper Welch is also likely to be available.

The versatile Danny Green is facing several weeks on the side-lines after confirmation was given of him having suffered a broken nose during the win at Hitchin Town on Thursday.

St Albans City: J.Welch, J.Comley, J.Kyriacou, Sc.Thomas, B.Martin (D.Longe-King 65), D.Locke (K.Bola 65), B.Gibson (S.Wales 65), S.Corcoran, L.Theophanous (B.Medlock 65), Si.Thomas (K.Bishop 65), L.Hilliard (J.Green 65).

Woking: J.Cole (N.Hamann 71), J.Caprice, D.Martin, G.Poku (M.Ricketts 71), B.Saah, I.Yakuku, B.Andrade (C.Banya 62), K.Murtagh, S.Rendell, T.DeSilva (G.Sole 46), J.Goddard Referee: Matty Buonasissi (Northampton).