St Albans City boss David Howell insists their promotion hopes are in their own hands.

The Saints are currently ninth in the table but face seven of the sides above them during the run-in. The former Harrow Borough boss claims they control their own destiny and a strong finish to the season could yet lead to a Southern Premier play-off place.

Howell said: “They [players] are well aware they are in ninth and play seven of the sides above us before the end of the season. Our destiny is in our own hands to a large degree. Three points are important in all our games but the matches against the teams above us are crucial because we have the chance to close the gap. It’s in our own hands.”

The Saints’ latest match against Stourbridge at Clarence Park was postponed at the weekend with snow still on the pitch. The game will now be played on Tuesday, March 26. St Albans will hope the weather eases up by the weekend in time for their trip to struggling Arlesey Town. The two sides fought out a hot-headed 2-2 draw earlier in the season and Howell expects a similar encounter this weekend.

He said: “I’m anticipating a competitive game with plenty of controversy. We have got one of their old players, James Gray, as our captain and I’m expecting a feisty affair. The experience at our place was a competitive match which was very vociferous from the dugout. It was a bit niggly.

“We are going to have to compete with them and match them which will require us to be disciplined. We have lost a bit of momentum with all the postponements and we want to carry on where we left off against Redditch.”

The Saints held an indoor training session on Thursday night and followed this up with a 3-2 friendly defeat against Barton Rovers on Saturday. Chris Seeby and Sakho Bakare scored the goals which gave the Saints a lead before Howell made a host of changes in the second half.

The game took place on a 3G pitch in Hitchin and the manager decided that he could not risk his older and injury prone players on the surface.

The Saints boss said: “It was a good workout for the lads. I played most of the first team for an hour although I took some off at half-time. We were 2-1 up and in control but then we ended up losing 3-2 after the changes.

“The players are frustrated at not playing. They were champing at the bit on Saturday. It was important to get the lads back out there in training on Thursday and in a game on Saturday. It was a good run-out for them.

“The 3G surface is very unforgiving. If you play 60 minutes then it feels as if you've been playing for longer. Every part of your body and muscle is tested and if you have any weaknesses they will be found out.

“I know that from personal experience I never had a hamstring injury until I played on a 3G pitch. If I wanted to end the careers of Paul Furlong and Micah Hyde I would have played them on Saturday and they know that so I had to leave them out.

“I didn’t want to risk the elder statesmen because if you have any knocks that surface will make it worse. But it was still a worthwhile exercise for the lads that were fit and able to play.”

There is a St Albans City FC team and supporters coach going to Frome Town for the away game on Saturday, February 25. The coach will depart at 10.15am 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 secure a seat call Ian Rogers on 07714 145862 or Barry Hilliard on 07831 859041. The cost is £19 for adults and £11 for juniors.