Ryman League Premier Division: Heybridge Swifts 0-2 St Albans City

TOP quality goals from Rob Smith and Simon Martin carried to St Albans City to their first victory in eight outings on Saturday, October 20, in an otherwise uninspiring encounter at Scraley Road.

Bottom of the table Heybridge Swifts offered little to suggest that an upturn in fortunes for the Essex club is just around the corner as the previously struggling St Albans gave them a strong lesson in finishing.

City fielded pretty much the same players who have scored nine times in two Reserve team games during the past fortnight, but on a well grassed pitch, anything other than a goalless afternoon was in prospect and Smith struck moments before half time with a deliciously struck half volley from 25 yards.

With that strike, Smith reclaimed the pole position in City's list of goalscorers this season but before the hour was up Martin joined him on five with a peach of a goal. Collecting a short pass from Freddie Hyatt on the right of the Swifts penalty area, Martin majestically weaved his way around two defenders before showing great composure in sliding the ball to the right of Banks' despairing dive and into the far corner of the net.

During the opening half hour City's best chance fell to Mike Bignall - back in the starting line up for the first time since the opening day of the season - who blazed the ball out of the ground from Martin's perfectly placed cross. On 34 minutes Martin again put Bignall clear this time the striker saw his angled ground shot palmed around the post by Banks.

As the interval drew near Kevin Budge twice squandered good chances for the Swifts with shots straight at the faultless Wilmot while City skipper Derek Brown came around the back of the Heybridge defence to head a Smith free kick against the outside of the woodwork.

But the Swifts hopes of keeping their first clean sheet since February were shot down on the stroke of half time when a Jon Rattle cross was only headed out as far Smith whose well controlled half-volley soared through a crowded penalty area and a couple of yards inside Banks' right hand post.

The points were made safe on 59 minutes when Hyatt slipped the ball wide to Martin who used excellent close control to skip around Lewis Baillie and David Krayling before planting a fine finish under the advancing Banks.

Heybridge Swifts: Banks, Cranfield, Baillie, Haydon, Butterworth, Pollard, Krayling, Parker, Budge (Down 71), Caton (Leeke 85), Streetley (Lovett 66)

St Albans City: Wilmot, Honeyball, Rattle, Campbell, Brown, Hyatt, Wraight, Evans, Martin, Bignall (Nabil 58), Smith. Subs: Moran, Cook

Booked: Wraight, Brown Referee: Eammon Smith

October 22, 2001 11:17

By David Tavener