Wokingham Town 0 St Albans City 3

by David Tavener

A BRUISED and battered St Albans City saw off the physical challenge of Ryman League Division One strugglers Wokingham Town at Finchampstead Road last Tuesday to clinch a place in the semi final of the Guardian Insurance Cup.

However, success was achieved at some price with Andy Polston suffering concussion after being elbowed on the nose and winger Andre Deleon dismissed following a late skirmish.

Polston was laid out by Town striker Tony Selby while Deleon, having been bundled over by Matt Eggleston - who was also sent packing, was suddenly confronted by a cluster of Wokingham players and lashed out at Lee Clundy to pick up City's fifth red card this season.

Saints took the lead in the 27th minute through a Gary Cobb penalty after Grant Eaton brought down Rob Haworth.

The second came in the 81st minute as Azeez Akinbolu knocked the ball wide for Haworth to chase and clip over a near post cross which was smartly headed home by Blackman from ten yards.

With the seconds ticking away, both sides went down to ten men and in the final minute Akinbolu found himself in the clear following a Wes Foley cross and the central defender shot across Harvey to claim his first goal for the club.

St Albans City: Newell, Polston, Risley, Evans, Cobb, Daly, Deleon, Turner, Haworth, Blackman, Gentle. Substitutes: Akinbolu for Polston after 25 minutes, Foley for Blackman after 82 minutes, Adolphe for Daly after 89 minutes.

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