Eight of manager Ian Allinson’s summer signings were given a run out at Clarence Park on Saturday as St Albans City kicked off their summer programme of friendly matches with a 3-2 defeat to county rivals Stevenage.

Stevenage, now managed by one-time Saint Darren Sarll, fielded a different XI in either half and handed a first public outing to summer signings Matt Godden (Ebbsfleet United), Andrew Fox (Peterborough United), Jake Hyde (York City), Shaun Donnellan (West Bromwich Albion) and towering striker Rowan Liburd from Reading.

The new boys turned up trumps as Hyde bagged a pair and Fox a single as the League Two side twice came from behind to see off their National League South hosts.

St Albans fielded their strongest XI during the opening 45 minutes and gave an encouraging and well-organised performance.

On a pleasantly warm afternoon the first threat on goal came from Louie Theophanous but City’s current Player of the Year dragged his shot just wide of Chris Day’s goal.

City will be looking for Theophanous and Junior Morias, a summer capture from Boreham Wood, to provide the majority of the Saints goals this coming season but the closest that Morias came to scoring against Stevenage was a free kick that dipped just over Day’s crossbar.

With popular goalkeeper Joe Welch having moved to Chelmsford City, St Albans had a new custodian between the sticks with former Boreham Wood keeper James Russell following his former manager to Clarence Park.

Russell, a one-time youngster with Stevenage, made an early save from Jamie Gray and showed clean handling throughout but was rushed into making a few frantic clearances as Liburd dashed in to deny him time to take in his new surroundings.

Another new face, Matt Ball, from Wealdstone, was first to make an impact when his cross from the right on 16 minutes was headed into the York Road net by Theophanous who had peeled away to find space at the back post.

Right-back Ben Herd, signed from Hemel Hempstead but familiar to Allinson when the duo were at Boreham Wood, attacked well down the right flank where he teamed up with another new boy in Rhys Hoenes from Royston Town.

City had held their lead with relative comfort during the opening half but the second half was a different story with a new set of Stevenage players forcing the pace against a Saints side showing four changes.

St Albans made a further five changes as the half went on and a number of youth players were given a run out against higher grade opposition.

Stevenage drew level within two minutes of the restart with defender Fox drilling the ball through a crowded penalty area after Tom Conlon had weaved his way down the left.

Theophanous had a snap shot saved by Jamie Jones while Russell did well to parry a firm drive by Dipo Akinyemi with Godden firing wide from the rebound.

Stevenage continued to pose the greater threat but, on the hour, it was St Albans who struck for a second time when Josh Hill rose at the back post to powerfully head home a perfectly flighted Herd free kick from the right.

It was a moment to savour for ex-Boreham Wood player Hill who, whilst on loan to Havant & Waterlooville last April, headed into his own net on his previous visit to the Park.

The lead was held for just seven minutes before Hyde, via an upright, headed home from Akinyemi’s cross from the right.

Hyde further impressed his new followers that comfortably outnumbered the home support with a second goal 13 minutes from time.

Conlon was again the provider with a through pass that Hyde neatly chipped over Russell from 12 yards.

Of the Saints summer signings only Shaun Lucien from Wealdstone, otherwise engaged at a wedding, was not on show. Saints captain Lee Chappell was also at a wedding while Darren Locke was unavailable.

Ian Allinson spoke at length to the St Albans Review after the game during which he gave a detailed account of the numerous changes to the playing staff at Clarence Park this summer.

The interview can be heard in full on the St Albans City club website later in the weekend.

St Albans have their first away friendly of the summer on Tuesday, 12th July, when they visit Richie Hanlon’s King’s Langley. Kick off at Gaywood Park is at 7.45pm.

St Albans City: J.Russell, B.Herd (C.Ferguson 78), T.Bender (C.Lee 70), Sc.Thomas (B.Gibson 46), J.Hill (G.Devine 85), B.Martin (A.Iweduino 46), R.Hoenes (N.McGreevy 85), I.Rees (D.Green 46), L.Theophanous (C.Londono 52), J.Morias (C.Currie 63), M.Ball (M.Whichelow 46).

Stevenage: 1st Half: C.Day, S.Donnellan, L.Wilkinson, D.Wells, N.Kerr, T.Pett, D.Gorman, C.Lee, Trialist, R.Liburd, J.Gray.

2nd Half: J.Jones, R.Henry, F.Franks, R.Johnson, A.Fox, D.Akinyemi, M.Tonge, M.McKee, T.Conlon, J.Hyde, M.Godden.

Referee: Mick Russell (St Albans).

Att: 420.