Saints boss encouraged after easy Hemel Hempstead victory (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans City boss upbeat after convincing Hemel Hempstead win

10:00am Wednesday 4th January 2012 in Local Sport By Simon Mail

St Albans City manager David Howell believes his side are heading in the right direction after they kicked off 2012 by hammering Hemel Hempstead Town 4-0.

The Saints have stuttered during the first half of the season but three wins in five games have revived hopes of a Southern Premier play-off push.

Howell said: “I’m very pleased with the lads at the moment. I was disappointed with the defeat at Weymouth [Saturday] but since Hitchin, the three results were good for us but the performances were also there.

“Against Weymouth the result didn’t go for us but the performance was there. It was very pleasing that we got both the result and performance here.”

Howell’s side got off to the ideal start on New Year’s Day when Sakho Bakare netted his eighth goal of the season. The striker twisted on the edge of the area before firing the ball past the dive of home goalkeeper Ross Kitteridge.

The visitors doubled their lead after 17 minutes when new signing Dewayne Clarke, who has joined from Haringey Borough, scored from the tightest of angles.

St Albans City had to wait until the 80th minute to net their third goal. Former Watford midfielder Micah Hyde tucked away a penalty after Bakare had been shoved in the area.

The Saints’ final goal came when substitute Aaron Lansiquot scored his first for the club as he fired home from 20 yards.

Howell said: “Unfortunately Sakho has been a little bit up and down. He’s our leading goalscorer but he’s only started a handful of games all season.

“He’s been doing it from off the bench. He was ill at the end of last week so I told him to get some rest and I would start him on Monday. With our veteran striker Paul Furlong picking up a knock he was never going to play two games in three days. I thought Sakho did well but probably should have got a hat-trick.

“The young lad [Lansiquot] I brought on I like. He’s a bit more direct and he's less thrills and a bit more substance. He came on and showed that with literally his first touch when he slotted it away beautifully so that was pleasing.”

The victory was a welcome response after the Saints went down to a 3-1 defeat at Weymouth on Saturday.

Furlong netted the consolation for Howell’s side who were punished for their wastefulness in front of goal.

The Saints are currently 11th in the table after an inconsistent first half of the campaign.

Howell has seen signs of progress but believes stability, after a string of changes to the starting line-up, is the key to an upturn in their fortunes.

The former Harrow Borough boss added: “The first half of the season has been very up and down. We were looking at the stats and David Ijaha has played with 13 different players in the centre of midfield from the start of pre-season so we’ve been a bit up and down with changing.

“Some of that has been my fault and some I’ve had no control over.

“I’m pleased the lads are starting to settle now and if we can get that settled and get the goals at one end and keep clean sheets it bodes well for the side. We’ve just got to keep getting the results and I’ve got to make sure we do that and complacency doesn’t set in.

“There were periods in the first 25 minutes of the second half [against Hemel Hempstead] where we felt we’d done enough and you could see it. That’s where you get a little bit complacent and you give the opposition a chance. I don’t think Hemel were in the game at all really and did feel we bossed and controlled the match.”

The victory over Hemel Hempstead has given Howell plenty of options particularly in attack. But he insists he is happy to face selection dilemmas as they prepare to take on second-placed Leamington this weekend.

“I wouldn’t say it's a headache,” he said. “If it is, it's a pleasing headache to have. Normally I pick a team in my head straight after the game, jot it down on paper and look at it the night before the next match.

“But I’m pleased with the lads and that's what you want. You want competition for places and players that haven’t been playing coming back with the right attitude. If you think, Rob Haworth’s another option but he's short of match fitness.

“Paul Furlong was also out and there are still people like Matt Cutchey who missed the game and Danny Hart was out.

“There are still players there that, if the team are playing with confidence and the side are doing well, they can all contribute and I’ve got to make sure the side stays focused and doesn’t get too confident and complacent.”

The Harpenden Construction Limited December player of the month was James Gray and his award will be presented by Saints supporter Les Williams prior to the this Saturday’s game against Leamington.

There is a St Albans City team and supporters coach going to Redditch for the away game on Saturday, January 14. The coach will depart at 10.45am from the Clarence Park entrance to the ground.

Since the coach has only a limited number of seats available, anyone going should book as early as possible. To book a seat call Ian Rogers on 07714 145862 or Barry Hilliard on 07831 859041.

Alternatively they can be bought from the club shop at the Leamington game. The cost is £19 for adults and £11 for juniors.