Saints boss frustrated by late decision (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans City boss frustrated by call off

11:50am Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Regional By Simon Mail

St Albans City boss David Howell admits he was disappointed their match at Redditch was called off late on after the pitch was declared unsafe.

The match at the Valley Stadium was cancelled at about 1.45pm after referee Thomas Harty decided an area of the pitch, in the shade, was still frozen.

Howell felt that it was arguably playable and insisted their opponents were only too happy to rearrange the game against the in-form Saints.

Howell, whose side will travel to Redditch for the rescheduled game on Tuesday, January 31, said: “I felt it could have been played. Back in the day it wouldn’t have been an issue. It was only a small area of the pitch which hadn't thawed out so about 95 per cent of the pitch was absolutely fine. It might have been a bit tricky but it's disappointing because we went all the way there.

“I think they were more relieved than we were because we’re the form team at the moment. We just want to keep playing and they were aware of that. They weren’t too worried about the game being called off. We wanted to play it but I always say things happen for a reason. It's not ideal but we just have to deal with it as it is. We are not under the radar any more so we will face difficult challenges this season.”

The Saints have improved over the course of the season after a slow start to the campaign and Howell believes their supporters are only now seeing a true reflection of the squad’s capabilities.

The former Harrow Borough boss said: “We are in a much better place starting this year than at the start of the season.

“The team is where I want it to be but I may want to add one or two more to the squad. We've got a goalkeeper and a midfielder in on trial and we're hoping to get a striker in to have a look at later this week.

“I am satisfied with the team now and the progress we have made. But this season early on it was a case of one step forward and two steps back so I’m not about to take my eye off the ball.

“Nothing is decided in January. I think we are seven points off the play-offs and I just feel that we have to aim high. At the end of the month or by Valentine’s Day we will have a clear indication of what we can achieve but it’s too early at the moment.”

St Albans City return to action at Clarence Park when they host Southern Premier bottom club Swindon Supermarine.

The Saints slipped to a disappointing defeat to them back in September but Howell is adamant that they are a totally different proposition after revamping the squad.

Howell added: “Swindon beat us at their place so it will be a good guage of how much we’ve improved since then. They are down there in the league but still beat us. I just think we’re a different side now. The team has changed and the players have gelled and bonded well.”