St Albans City bowed out of their first cup competition of the season when going down 2-0 to Bishop’s Stortford at Woodside Park in the semi final of the Herts Charity Cup on Tuesday.

City gave debuts to four youngsters, three of which were substitutes, and whilst joint-manager Jimmy Gray was pleased to give youth a chance he, with an eye on this weekend’s FA Cup action, was just relieved that no regular First teamers picked up knocks.

Stortford, having dominated the first hour, were worthy winners but City can take heart that they had the better of the closing stages following a triple substitution.

City offered little as an attacking entity prior to the interval with David Keenleyside, as well as striking the woodwork with a wonderfully dipping free kick from 30 yards, going close with two efforts and John Frendo poking anoter wide, being about the total of the threats on the home goal.

But in the latter stages they did apply pressure with the Bishop’s keeper, David Gregory, making outstanding saves from Loick Pires and Keenleyside.

City captain for the night Lee Chappell also sent a long range shot crashing against the crossbar as the Saints sought to rescue the tie.

But in between times the Bishop’s were in control and repeatedly caught their guests out with measured balls behind the City backline for the Stortford strikers, and Rod Young in particular, to latch onto.

Young first made his mark when charging after a not-so-scientific hack down the City left flank. After running 50 yards Young cut inside Joel Watson but was denied a goal by the legs of the debut making City goalkeeper Mayson Tewkesbury.

Stortford, though, did take the lead on 15 minutes with an excellent goal.

Following a short throw-in routine on their left flank the ball was crossed to the back post by Spencer McCall.

The dipping cross fell behind the leaping Chappell and was brought down superbly by Sheldon Sellears who then drove the ball across Tewkesbury and into the net from close range.

The Bishop’s went close to adding a second somewhat farcical goal, as City began to be opened up at the back.

Young clipped a cross into the penalty area that Darren Locke headed back to Tewkesbury.

Stretching to keep the ball from going out for a corner, the City custodian only succeeded in putting it straight to one-time Saint George Sykes, who carefully chipped his cushioned shot over Tewkesbury only for it to strike the far post when a goal had appeared inevitable.

As the chances started to mount up both Young, twice, and Johnny Herd were off target, but not by much, after racing clear of the City defence.

Three minutes after the interval Stortford finally put a truer reflection on the game with a second goal.

After some short passing midway inside their own half Stortford again demonstrated City’s vulnerability to an accurate long ball as George Allen sent Ashley Miller away.

A misunderstanding between Chappell and Tewkesbury gave the marauding Bishop’s defender time to lay a square pass to Young who, from 12 yards, stroked the ball into the unguarded goal.

As the half wore on the play became more open and after a couple of chances went begging for Stortford, City debutant Harry Tew-Robinson tested home keeper Gregory.

Late in the game, former Saint Curtis Shaw stamped in on Danny Green with an ugly challenge, as the ball ran loose Chappell sent a shot over Gregory and against the crossbar from around 25 yards.

Green’s 17-year-old brother Jack , a midfielder, was one of the new faces while the quartet of debutants was completed by central defender David Longe-King.

Most of the youngsters were familiar to former City manager Steve Castle who was amongst the sparse crowd and whose Royston Town side face Hitchin Town in the other semi final.

Jimmy Gray reported no fresh injuries after the game, which means that City face Hayes & Yeading United in the FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying on Sunday, 28th September, with a full squad, save for Sam Corcoran (injured) and Tom Ward (suspended).

Hayes & Yeading currently ground share with Maidenhead United and kick off at York Road is at 3pm. Should a replay be required then it will be at Clarence Park next Wednesday, 1st October.

Bishop’s Stortford: D.Gregory, A.Miller, J.Herd, J.Tabiri, G.Allen, P.Anderson, S.Sellears (R.Auger 58), S.McCall (C.Shaw 62), R.Young, G.Sykes (M.Suarez 74), R.Melaugh, subs; D.Fitzsimons, J.Wright.

St Albans City: M.Tewkesbury, J.Kyriacou, L.Chappell, J.Watson (J.Green 61), J.Kaloczi, D.Locke (D.Longe-King 61), D.Green, C.Gorman, J.Frendo (H.Tew-Robinson 61), D.Keenleyside, L.Pires.

Goals: 15 1-0 Sellears, 48 2-0 Young.

Referee: Mark Mellor (Hemel Hempstead).

Attendance: 112.