Louie strikes to give City double cause for celebration

In contrast to the heavy rainfall that blighted the opening of the Park on a wet Monday in 1894, Saturday’s game was played in strength-sapping heat and that it remained competitive throughout was a credit to both sets of players.

The unavailability of several of his squad forced City manager Ian Allinson to field players in unaccustomed positions but, particularly for the opening 45 minutes, this was the Saints most solid and encouraging performance of the summer to date.

City’s strength lay in defence where Tom Bender moved inside to partner Josh Hill, while skipper Lee Chappell reclaimed his old left back slot and trialist Stephane Ngala filled in on the right. Former Staines Town player Ngala was pushed forward into midfield after the interval.

The new look back four provided good cover for former Wood ‘keeper James Russell, although the frequency with which the opposition were caught offside, coupled with poor deliveries into the penalty area, aided the Saints cause.

With Matt Ball playing just behind the frontline of Junior Morias, Theophanous and wide-man Shaun Lucien, City started well with Lucien sending an early effort just wide of Sam Beasant’s goal.

Both keepers displayed their quality with Beasant tipping over a Morias free kick and Russell diving to his left to keep out a well-placed effort from Portuguese midfielder Bruno Andrade following a short free kick routine.

Following the ensuing corner, whipped over by Andrade, Matt Ball cleared a Joe Devera header off the goalline and City counter-attacked in style to secure their first pre-season win over the Wood for 13 years to the day.

Imposing Wood defender David Stephens confronted Theophanous on the edge of the penalty area only for the current City Player of the Year to crack a right-footed shot towards the inside of Beasant’s right hand upright.

The ball was in the net before the keeper, whose view was partially obscured, could get a hand to it.

Coming in from the left 15 minutes later Theophanous, following City’s most flowing move of the afternoon, tried to repeat his earlier feat but this time Beasant smothered the ball with ease.

Wood squandered a good chance to pull level right on half time when Andrade broke clear down the left only to be thwarted by Russell who spread himself well at the feet of the Wood player.

Wood manager Luke Garrard made five changes for the second half, City opted for just one with the right-sided Rhys Hoenes replacing Ball, who had an injured right knee.

On the hour Allinson did make sweeping changes with five players coming off the bench.

One of those substituted was Scott Thomas who was one of five former Wood players in the City starting XI. Thomas, who has taken to wearing a headband this season, was in the thick of the action and did a most effective job in the middle of the park.

Wood appeared to benefit most from the alterations and had the better of the second period but, on this evidence, Garrard’s boys will need to sharpen up inside the penalty area if they are to avoid a repeat of last terms season long battle against relegation.

Several times Wood looked to have broken clear but well-timed tackles left Russell with a quieter time than he had probably anticipated.

City were not without chances at the opposite end but they, too, lacked certainty where it mattered, close to goal.

Twice Sam Merson used his chest well to win the ball.

From the first one, after skilfully chesting the ball past Stephens, he darted down the right only to send a needlessly rushed low ball straight to a Wood defender.

Merson’s next deflection off his chest sent Hoenes scurrying down the wing but he dithered and lost possession cheaply when two team-mates were in the goalmouth.

Wood ought to have punished City for those lapses just a few minutes from time when Andrade slipped a low ball in from the right that Shaun Jeffers, from six yards out, simply had to stroke wide of Chappell and Russell for the equaliser.

Well, he certainly prodded the ball wide of the City duo but was dumbstruck as the ball hit the inside of Russell’s left-hand upright and bounced back along the goalline into the keeper’s grateful arms.

Ian Allinson, speaking after the game, said that he currently has too many players at his disposal and will be trimming the playing staff over the coming week.

Those looking to secure a future with the Saints may have two more opportunities to shine over the next few days with City playing at Arlesey Town and Dunstable Town this coming Tuesday (26th) and Thursday (28th) respectively.

Kick off at Hitchin Road and then Creasey Park is at 7.45pm.

St Albans City: J.Russell, S.Ngala (D.Green 61), L.Chappell, I.Rees (B.Gibson 61), J.Hill, T.Bender, S.Lucien (M.Whichelow 61), M.Ball (R.Hoenes 46), L.Theophanous, J.Morias (S.Merson 61), Sc.Thomas (A.Anderson 61).

Boreham Wood: S.Beasant (G.Smith 46), B.Nunn, J.Devera, M.Ricketts, D.Stephens, M.Paine, A.Moke (A.Balanta 46), K.Davis (S.Jeffers 46), K.Oyenuga (R.Shakes 46), D.Uchechi (C.Clifford 46), B.Andrade.

Referee: Steve Bates (Elstree).

Att: 220.