Gary Cohen scored St Albans City’s first goal of the summer on Saturday as the Saints held Blue Square Premier new boys Hayes & Yeading United to a 1-1 draw at Oaklands.

During a match of three 30-minute segments City manager Steve Castle used 18 players including seven survivors from last season. Missing from the City squad were Ryan Frater and Simon Martin while injury ruled out Adam Everitt and Jonathan Hunt.

Cohen’s goal was reward for an impressive display by the former Grimsby Town player. The City striker also had a goal disallowed as City more than held their own against Garry Haylock’s side.

City fielded just three trialists not to have been given a run out during the midweek friendly with Peterborough United.

Left back Connor Baker, who came on as a substitute during City Reserves 1-1 draw with Hemel Hempstead Town in March, played in the middle part of the game and right back Jordan Knock was at right back for the second and third segments.

Midfielder Jamie Eames, once of Norwich City but more recently with Colney Heath, gave an accomplished display.

With Ben Martin now with Chelmsford City and Frater unavailable, City paired Mark Peters and James Quilter in the middle of the defence at the start of the match. Jamie Thurlbourne and Alex Bailey played in the full back positions.

Luke Thurlbourne and James Fisher - who captained the side - were joined in midfield by Eames and the attack minded left-sided 20-year-old Jamie O’Donoghue, who has previously been with Yeading and Brimsdown and has also played in Australia. Cohen was partnered in attack by Daniel Chillingworth while Paul Bastock was the only goalkeeper used by the Saints.

During the second portion of the match Knock and Baker took over in the full back positions with Ronnie Jones joining Quilter in the middle of the defence. Ryan Maxwell had a run out on the right of the midfield, James Edgerley came on on the opposite flank and Inih Effiong went into the attack.

The final session, in which Phil Kane was given a chance to shine on the left of the midfield, was marred by an injury to O’Donoghue.

St Albans City (all played): P.Bastock, A.Bailey, J.Thurlbourne, J.Quilter, M.Peters, L.Thurlbourne, J.Eames, J.Fisher, J.O’Donoghue, G.Cohen, D.Chillingworth, J.Knock, C.Baker, R.Jones, R.Maxwell, I.Effiong, J.Edgerley, P.Kane.