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30.08.2003 at 15:00 Clarence Park

Attendance : 376

St Albans City

1 - 1

Hayes

Referee : Gavin Hoare Ryman Premier League

Goalscorers
Gary Wraight (44)
John Hastings (85)
Opening squads
Richard Wilmot
Lee Gledhill
Corey Campbell
Derek Brown
Miguel De Souza
Mark Graham
Steve Castle
Gary Wraight
Scott Oakes
Matt Glynn
Nic McDonnell
Ben Harris
Mark Molesley
Adam Everitt
Peter Collins
Yiadom Yeboah
Paul Holsgrove
Lee Holsgrove
Shane Demetiou
Jamie Richards
Scott Forrester
Kevin Warner
Substitutes
Barry White
Simon Martin
Graeme Tomlinson
Greg Deacon
Chris Seeby
Stuart Goodhall
John Hastings
Peter Holsgrove
Sean O’Connor
Substitutions
Simon Martin -> Nic McDonnell (68)
Greg Deacon -> Matt Glynn (73)
Stuart Goodhall -> Shane Demetiou (46)
John Hastings -> Jamie Richards (68)
Peter Holsgrove -> Kevin Warner (55)
Yellow cards
Gary Wraight (31)
Lee Holsgrove (45)
Red cards
None. None
Match report
A fine, sunny Summer Saturday afternoon at Clarence Park for the visit of Hayes, unbeaten this season with two draws at home and two wins on the road. It's unusual for the visitors to The Park to have no former Saints among their ranks, but even more unusual for a club to field three brothers in the same side, Peter, Lee and Paul Holsgrove.

For today, Cookie selected Wilmot in goal; 4 at the back: Gledhill, Brown (C), Campbell and Castle; 4 in the midfield: Graham, Wraight, Glynn and Oakes; and up front: McDonnell and De Souza. On the bench: Tomlinson, Martin, Deacon, Seeby and White. Injured in the stand: Naylor, Smith and Murray.

A lively start by both sides, who were both here to play a passing game from the off. Chances were created at both ends in the early stages with Wilmot required to make a couple of sharp saves of quality, and at the other end, a Scott Oakes volley from outside the box thumping the left hand post. Graham's pace was causing problems on the right flank once again, the midfield was firing, the back four soon settled and City began to take control of the first half.

The opening goal came moments before half time. A patient build-up through the midfield found Castle wide on the left who sent a perfect cross high into the box and 12 yards out. The keeper had begun to come but Wraight, impressive today, leapt and flicked a volley with the outside of his right foot over the keeper and into the net. A fine goal. The Saints were good value for the lead at half-time. 1-0.

Hayes were fired up for the second half and had the majority of possession from early on. City defended deep and for long periods were unable to clear their lines for more than moments. The home side were creating more chances, however, although few were clear cut. Martin came on for the tiring McDonnell, who worked hard today and Glynn, influential in the midfield before he, too, seemed to tire, was replaced by Deacon for the last 15 minutes or so.

Despite Hayes having greater possession, City seemed the more likely to score. Chances fell to De Souza, Wraight, Deacon and Martin forced an acrobatic save. To me, but not to the Officials, Oakes was clearly brought down just inside the box when through on goal with 10 minutes left. Hayes were still dangerous and for the second week running the substitute, Hastings scored. Gledhill, who gave another solid performance today, was dispossessed by the Hayes youngster who played a quick one-two and fired an excellent shot past Wilmot with just a few minutes remaining. 1-1. F.T.

Cookie will regard this as two points dropped, which they were as City had the chances to wrap the game up earlier. However, to me, Hayes were worth a point on the balance of play and their second half possession in particular. This was very entertaining football throughout and for the home side, they all played their part but special mention for the centre-backs and the entire midfield. Wraight and Oakes had their best games yet and both Graham and Glynn showed their pedigree until both tired in the last 10 or so.

The sponsors MotM was Graham, but for me, probably Brown. A vocal 100 or so up from Hayes amongst a disappointing official attendance of 376.

Entertainment 8/10. Technical Merit 7/10. Referee 4/10. Atmosphere 4/10.

Match report by Homer
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