Leamington (h) on Sat 7th Jan, KO 15:00

[Daedalus]

Southern League Premier Division -
St. Albans City (11th) v Leamington (3rd)
Saturday 7th January 2012, KO 15:00

No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/1310719688_large.jpg

No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/Saints%20Stuff/stalbans.jpg v No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/Saints%20Stuff/1269441128.gif

Clarence Park, St. Albans
No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/Saints%20Stuff/goalnetsaction.jpg

STATTO'S CORNER (written by Daedalus):

Leamington Quick Guide:
Club founded: 1891 (formed as Leamington Town)
Nickname: The Brakes
Club colours: Gold & Black
10 year record:

01-02	02-03	03-04	04-05	05-06	06-07	07-08	08-09	09-10	10-11
MCm1 2nd	MCmP 3rd	MCmP 2nd	MCmP 1st	MidAl 5th	MidAl 1st	SthM 2nd	SthM 1st	SthP 10th	SthP 5th

Read more about The Brakes' club history by clicking here.


Interesting links:

Leamington's official website

Leamington fans' forum

You can see Leamington's results so far this season by clicking here. Match reports are also available on that page.

Leamington's last outing saw them suffer a 2-1 defeat at home to Redditch United. Click here for the report of that match.

You can read the Herts Ad's pre-match 'Next in Town' article for this match by clicking here.

CITYLIVE seems to be up and running again and there will be coverage of this game on their service. This link will be available by clicking here. Regardless, we also hope to have some updates here on the forum.

We'll add any other interesting links to this thread as they appear.


Current Form (last 5 matches in the league):
St. Albans City - WWDLW (home form - WDLWD)

Leamington - WWLDL (away form - WDLWL)


Top league goalscorer(s):
St. Albans City - Sakho Bakare is currently leading the goalscoring charts for the Saints with 6 league goals. Remarkably, the French striker has only had 5 starts in the league and has played for approximately 756 minutes so far this season in league matches (equivalent to around 8.5 full matches).

Leamington - Forward, Jacob Blyth, has scored 11 league goals.


Latest Saints team news:

- Paul Furlong is expected to be back in contention for this match.

- The Herts Ad reports that 'Matt Cutchey misses out for the second game in a row because of work commitments'.

- The Review recently reported that Sean Shields is 'likely to be out of action until early January with his ankle ligament injury'. He picked up this injury against Hitchin Town at Top Field. The Herts Ad reports that Shields is still probably a few weeks away from a return, however.

- We'll add any other team news here as it comes out nearer to the game.


Possible Saints starting XI (in a 4-4-2 formation):

No images allowed -http://footballformation.co.uk/team/442/060112094455.png

Quick Stats Guide (league matches only):

St. Albans City:

- Scored in last 7 matches
- One loss in 5
- 14 points out of the last 30

Leamington:

- Scored in last 12 games
- 17 points out of the last 30

[Daedalus]

THE FINAL WORD - written by Saint (Jake Ellacott)

How did the Saints get on against Hemel Hempstead?

The Saints recorded a confident 4-0 win away at neighbours Hemel Hempstead on bank holiday Monday.

With just 5 minutes of the match gone, Sakho Bakare, who was brought in to replace the injured Paul Furlong, scored his 8th goal of the season. The French striker received the ball on the edge of the box from a Dewayne Clarke cross, then twisted and released a powerful effort which hit the back of the net.

Twelve minutes later and it was 2-0. Clarke managed to get his first goal since signing for the Saints as he double City's lead.

City confirmed the victory with two relatively late goals. First of all, with 10 minutes of the match left, City were awarded a penalty for a shove on Bakare. Micah Hyde converted the spot-kick, to record his first goal for the club since arriving.

Into added time, the visitors finished off the scoring when Aaron Lansiquot, like Hyde and Clarke, scored his first for the club when he slotted the ball home from 20 yards out.


What did David Howell have to say about it?

When asked about the team's recent performance's, Howell said: 'I’m very pleased with the lads at the moment. I was disappointed with the defeat at Weymouth, but since Hitchin, the three results were good for us but the performances were also there'.

Howell had this to say about Bakare: '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'.

Howell's full interview can be read here: www.stalbansreview.co.uk/sport/localsport/9449084.Saints_boss_encouraged_after_easy_Hemel_Hempstead_victory/

The interview can be heard on the official site here: www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/-manager-interview/1793


How are Leamington getting on this season?

Leamington find themselves currently sitting in 3rd position in the table, with 42 points from 24 games. They are currently 3 points off top placed side Brackley Town.

In their last league outing, the Brakes lost 2-1 at home to Redditch United. Leamington were 1-0 up with 17 minutes remaining but an equaliser from Aaron Forde and the eventual winner from Jake Jones in stoppage time secured all 3 points for the visitors.


Finally:

Will the Saints continue their good recent form? Or will the Brakes put the brakes on City's hopes for reaching a play-off place? Get involved in the pre- and post-match discussion in the thread below.

[Daedalus]

The City Archives - Romford, 1945[/u]

We have a new feature to place alongside our previews this season, as one of Saints Chat's regular posters, Brummie, delves into the history books to provide us with match reports from the past. This gives a chance to walk down memory lane, or learn a little about City's past, before the next match in the present!

This time, Brummie has given us a typed report of a match that took place in 1945 in an Isthmian League match against Romford. Over to Brummie for the details!

ST ALBANS CITY v ROMFORD

Isthmian League December 29th 1945

The Citizens team work in the first half of their match with Romford at Clarence Park on Saturday was the best that they have displayed this season. in that period when both sides played attractive football St Albans combining effectively, deservedly established a three goal lead which, with a little more steadiness at closer quarters, might have been doubled.

Kicking down the slope in the first half, St Albans were quick to get together and, prior to the interval, played with method. Both Chuck, who was in excellent form and Ellison plied their forwards effectively, while A Jones and O‘Connell made good use of their wingers Saunders, who had too many tricks for Denham and Forsyth, who often outwitted Wallace, both put the ball into the middle advantageously, with the result that Dowding, the Citizen’s new leader, had more chances than usually fell the way of a centre-forward opposed by so capable pivot as Paviour. He took two but missed far more simple than those he accepted.

Nine minutes had elapsed when the Citizens secured the lead. Saunders taking a free-kick placed the ball across the goalmouth for FORSYTH to meet on the half volley and gave Letham, the Romford goalkeeper, no chance.

Although Romford started attacks methodically in midfield St Albans, for whom Miller played another great game at centre-half, generally had the measure of them before the interval, but there were occasions when Brooks, on the Romford right wing, was troublesome and, from one of his passes Holt, with a clear opening, shot straight at Longman.

The Citizens’ second goal was scored after fifteen minutes when Wallace failed to intercept a pass from O’Connell to Forsyth and the left-winger squared the ball accurately for DOWDING to shoot past Letham. The centre forward, when put clean through, wasted a chance by shooting straight at the Romford goalkeeper and lost another opening when he fumbled a through pass by Chuck, but he got the Citizens third goal with a clever header from Saunders’ well placed centre.

Romford re-arranged their team for the second half, when the standard of the football shown by both sides deteriorated, chiefly because the constructive work which had been so good before the interval, gave place to big kicking, often ill directed.

Brooks and Fryatt, a forceful half-back, were the principal figures in Romford’s efforts to pull the game around. St Albans defenders however, proved sound and it was not until Bradshaw, owing to an ankle injury, had been compelled to change places with Forsyth, that Romford opened their account. Then Fryatt centred across the goalmouth and BROOKS taking a first-time shot, put the ball into the net close to the post.

Longman made one great save when he dived at the feet of Raten to grab the ball. But for the most part it was defenders on both sides who were better than the attackers in a second half which, after exhilarating play, seemed somewhat dead. Romford are a more than useful side and it is interesting to note that they took three points from Ilford, the Citizens Amateur Cup opponents, during Christmastide.

Full Time St Albans City 3 Romford 1

Team C Longman, H Burke, H Bradshaw, L Ellison, W Miller, F Chuck, W Saunders, A Jones, W Dowding, T O’Connell, R Forsyth.

Thanks, as always, go to Brummie for delving into the City Archives to provide us with an interesting read alongside our usual match previews!

[Hatboy]

Herts ad preview: www.hertsad.co.uk/sport/football/next_in_town_leamington_1_1169865

[Boomer]

From the Hemel Hempstead (A) on 2nd January 2012, KO 15:00 thread -

Jan 5, 2012 10:11:26 GMT davymac55 said:

Good result and we were deserved winners. A very good Xmas period overall. Now lets see some stabilisation in the team- not too many changes please. Interesting tho that players who were, apparently, clueless against Weymouth came good against the Tudors! What a league. Great support from us as well. Hope you all can make it to The Park on Saturday. As for Bakare tho, had a great game many of us feel so will probably make the bench on Saturday

Spot on davymac55. The key word here is stabilisation. The starting line up against Leamington tomorrow should be the same one that started against Hemel Hempstead. There is no reason to drop or rest anyone, barring injury. Bakare and Ngakam have to start.

[Daedalus]

I hope Frenchie gets a start too. Seems like he deserves it!

I've just seen the Owsy Tweet that you posted in the other thread Boomer. I didn't realise Hart was out. Plus Furlong and Ijaha facing late fitness tests.

[Deleted]

Dewayne Clarke must start even if Hart is fit, a good display from him on Monday.I would also retain Ngakam if front of Jinadu, thought he started nervously but settled down and did well. Big dilemma up front for Howell.Personally I'd stick with Bakare and Martin,but Simon needs to get in more goalscoring positions and start getting 'on the end of things' as they say !
Leamington were fortunate to beat us at their place, and I'm very optimistic about this as long as Ijaha makes it.

[webbo]

Saunders, who had too many tricks for Denham

That's my Grandad

[Mick the Mike]

A sunny Clarence Park today and there promises to be a sizeable away support.

Over on the far side there, are already a number of Brakes banners fluttering in the light breeze and there are a good number of away fans scattered around the ground and in the supporters bar.

Today's Saints line up is:

Jupp
Harriman
Bernard
Ijaha
Gray
Ngakam
Clarke
Hyde
Bakare
Martin
Watts

Subs:

Ehui
McGonigle
Matthews
Jinadu
Lansiquot

[brummie]

services.hertsad.co.uk/herts/features/hertsadlive/all/default.aspx

City live here

[tevez32]

great win!

[Hatboy]

Just seen Miss Sian Massey was ref for their boxing day game at Barwell.

I got the correct result and first goal scorer crowd anywhere near 442 ?

Not bad form now is it W 4 D 1 L 1 F 14 A 5

[oldgeezer]

Doesn't get much more exciting than that. Both teams played their hearts out.
We seemed to win all the battles and eventually the war... well done Saints.

Shame the officials were totally incompetent - and biased! The ref must have had a bad experience in St Albans when he was a child. Though the linesman was just as bad - as soon as the lemons waved their arms he gave an offside! ridiculous.

[COYS]

Great performance and result.

A month ago we'd have let that one slip - I think it shows how far we've come that we had the mental strength to go on and get the result.

[Hatboy]

Just seen the Evostick Southern league website has our goalscorers down as Blake: www.southern-football-league.co.uk/results/premier.asp?section=results


Not got the worst defence now: www.southern-football-league.co.uk/league-tables/premier.asp?section=league-tables

[Deleted]

That second goal was sublime!

Well done to the management team , 2nd best crowd of the day too

Pleasant away fans too, Great stuff all round

[asaintreborn]

Well that was a nail biter right at the end there! Old Geezer is correct two teams went to war today and Saints came out on top. Very entertaining from both teams and it says it all when man of the match was awarded to two players, in all honestly anyone on the field could have been given man of the match, it was a real team effort. The new CB Cedric is looking like a good signing, strong in the air, quick along the ground and strong in the challenge. Sakho first goal was an incredible finish and his second was lovely composure/ placement into the corner. Hyde and Ijaha in the middle is another great partnership and long may it continue. We need to use this momentum now and push for those play off places.

[Daedalus]

Jan 7, 2012 17:01:13 GMT Hatboy said:

Just seen Miss Sian Massey was ref for their boxing day game at Barwell.

I heard a rumour today that she might be ref for our next game against Redditch United. Not sure if true or not though.

[Daedalus]

I agree with all of the comments above. Terrific entertainment at Clarence Park, I thought, and two stunning goals from Bakare who has surely staked his claim to a starting place by now!

Great performances all round and good to see this team fighting together. Well done you Saints!

No images allowed -http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz40/Crouchaldinho_SACFC/gialloblu.gif

[Daedalus]

Other results today:

AFC Totton 3 - 0 Chesham United

Arlesey Town 3 - 1 Weymouth

Barwell 2 - 3 Bashley

Bedford Town 3 - 1 Evesham United

Brackley Town 0 - 2 Stourbridge

Cirencester Town 0 - 2 Cambridge City

Frome Town 0 - 1 Banbury United

Oxford City 2 - 1 Chippenham Town

Redditch United 1 - 4 Hitchin Town

St. Albans City 2 - 1 Leamington

Swindon Supermarine 1 - 3 Hemel Hempstead Town

[Daedalus]

www.southern-football-league.co.uk/league-tables/premier.asp?section=league-tables

Saints up to 10th in the table.

[Daedalus]

www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/-latest-club-news/1799-sakho-fires-saints

Following the 4-0 win at Heml Hempstead on Monday, Saints have now taken 13 points from their last six games and move to within seven points of the play-offs.

[gazzaruse]

check out form guide last 6 matches we are top of the league we are top of the league , great performance today vocal support good to

[EFMTFTV]

Jan 7, 2012 17:32:01 GMT oldgeezer said:

Shame the officials were totally incompetent - and biased! The ref must have had a bad experience in St Albans when he was a child. Though the linesman was just as bad - as soon as the lemons waved their arms he gave an offside! ridiculous.

That offside in the 2nd half when our player overtook their defender and was given offside was a joke, someone should give him one of them new 50p coins

We are currently top fo the form league
www.footballwebpages.co.uk/formGuide/southprem

We've played a few more games than everyone else around us but nobody seems to be taking a grip on this league, everyone seems to be just as capable of hitting a good spell as quick as a lean spell, hopefully our lean spell lasted the first half of the season and we can hit form in the 2nd half

[gazzaruse]

yeah definately struggled with that offside didn't think running past the defender after the ball has been played was offside but that linesman did what a joke , i think the ref came on their team bus

[Boomer]

Leamington view of yesterday's game -

www.leamingtonfc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1009:st-albans-city-v-leamington&catid=48:match-reports&Itemid=45http://www.leamingtonfc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1009:st-albans-city-v-leamington&catid=48:match-reports&Itemid=45

[Deleted]

A good summarisation of the game.
If today was Michael Harrimans last appearance for us , would like to wish him all the best for the future and thanks for his sterling work.(I personally was wrong in my criticism of his defending earlier in the season).

Would like to add that the chips from today's new caterers were of much better quality than usual.

[davymac55]

A very entertaining game that we looked to have sewn up with the second goal only to then concede and have a nailbiting finish. Deserved the win-great work rates all roung brilliant save bt Jupp and two outstanding goals from Bakare-how the manager can even contemplate leaving him out-well nuff said! However, the referee and linos were appalling at best. Some outrageous decisions with the late offside being indefensible and a foul given against Simon martin when two if not 3 Brakes players had hands on him beggars belief! These can be game changing decisions in tight games and could be very costly. The overall officils standard has been poor this season. So the Mighty Saints are on a roll. Looking at the results in our div yesterday you have to say that any one can beat any one. Not a great div but we can only beat what we face. Continuity in the team is vital . 6 games ago clueless but a bit of stabilisation in the team and we play better. No coincidence. And I take back any negative comments about Simon! He is playing a vital role for us and playing well. Finally a big shout for the Brakes fans who never stopped cheering/singing even when we were claiming that they were no longer singing and is that the first time we have had fans of a team we were beating applaude our two goal hero off the pitch? Or were they just glad to see the back of him?

[Saint]

Harriman is going back to QPR sadly, after a very good loan spell here. Moran has joined Chesham United, and Haworth has joined Leatherhead on dual-rgistration.

[Canary Saint]

Jan 8, 2012 8:22:47 GMT davymac55 said:

..... Continuity in the team is vital . 6 games ago clueless but a bit of stabilisation in the team and we play better. No coincidence.................

Couldn't agree more Davy Also the introduction of Hay, Hyde and Martin has helped.

Hopefully the confidence gained by recent results will lead to a sustained rise upwards.