Harpenden Town 2 St Albans City XI 1

11:52am Friday 8th August 2008

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Harpenden Town 2 St Albans City XI 1 Harpenden produced a fine display in the 'district derby' when they beat a side led by City first team boss Steve Castle last night.

Blue Square South side and neighbours St Albans brought a strong squad that included several players who took part in their match against Watford on Tuesday evening.

However, under the guidance of Town boss Paul Tomkins, Harpenden more than held their own for long periods of this closely fought match and what will be their last pre-season friendly.

Indeed Town had the best of the opening few minutes as Chris Gregory was put into a good position, but his shot ran wide and Iaian Turkentine almost forced the ball over the line from a Jonathan Roe corner a few minutes later.

St Albans settled into their slick passing game after this opening and looked to release their quick left winger at every opportunity and on thirteen minutes he beat the offside flag to skip down the wing and his low cross into the box was stabbed home by the incoming forward to put City ahead.

Harpenden, could have been in trouble at this stage as City upped the pressure, but some fine defending, lead by captain Andrew Saul and Tony Golder, including one goal-line clearance, saw them weather the storm, keep their shape and composure to finish the half strongly.

Adam Baletta played a fine 40 yard ball to the head of Town striker Chris Gregory, whose header beat the Saints keeper but bounced off the bar. As the half came to an end Harpenden pressed forward and on 44 minutes new signing Leigh Wooldridge reacted to a loose ball in the City box to fire Town level.

The second half saw many changes to both line ups, but the tempo and quality did not drop as both sides went for the win. Town moved into a sustained period of possession and after striker Ali Collins had a couple of half chances a cross field ball by right back Ian Shaw released Brad Marney in behind the Saints defence and he calmly slipped the ball past the on-rushing 'keeper to put Town deservedly ahead.

Some hard tackling from James Hardy and Rob Gilham in the remaining period ensured Town recorded a notable victory and a massive boost to the club as they go to Royston Town for their MSSML Div One opener on Saturday.

Harpenden Squad: Christou, Baletta, Golder Saul-Capt, Dawes, Wooldridge, Turkentine, Roe, Gregory, Rees.

Subs: All used: Brown, Shaw, Armitage, Gilham, Doonan, Hardy, Beazley, Marney, Collins.