FA Umbro Trophy

St Albans City...0 Sittingbourne...0

HAVING failed on Saturday to break down a struggling Dr Martens side which had to survive for 73 minutes with just ten men, St Albans City must travel to Sittingbourne this evening for the first time in 75 years looking to complete a job which should have been finalised without too many problems at the first time of asking.

Neither side went into Saturday's tie at Clarence Park with much good form behind them but the Saints dominated thtoughout only to be thwarted by a combination of poor finishing and a goalkeeper whose performance bore a resemblance to a certain Polish keeper at Wembley in 1973.

Bourne custodian Gareth Williams was, at times, inspirational behind a defence which looked likely to crack at any time, while at others he would worry any manager with a heart condition.

But even allowing for Williams' occasional brilliance City should have won at a canter.

City almost went ahead after just 11 seconds when a miscued clearance went straight to Steve Clark whose second touch was a dipping half volley which thudded against the crossbar.

Five minutes later Barry Blackman headed on a free kick to Clark who this time sent a cracking volley just wide of the target.

Blackman was again the provider when he flicked on a Justin Gentle cross which Clark headed wide when it appeared easier to score.

Already Sittingbourne looked nothing more than sitting ducks and their plight worsened on 17 minutes when Lloyd Hume was dismissed by referee Joe Ross for picking up a second booking.

The visitors had their first attack on goal four minutes later when player-manager Alan Walker tested Kenny Addai.

City's most embarrassing moment came on 36 minutes when Kevin Mudd from a standing position, headed a Wes Foley cross wide when the incoming Clark was already poised to celebrate another addition to his personal collection.

Just before the interval Clark set up Gentle who declined two good opportunities to shoot before being smothered by defenders.

The Saints, although still camped in the Bourne half, created less after the interval.

Even so Walker twice headed off the line inside the first ten minutes as Foley and Gentle looked to have made the breakthrough.

An excellent move down the right ended with Blackman slipping the ball towards the near post where Foley's deft flick was superbly stopped by Williams at the second attempt.

As the Saints attacks became increasingly frantic, Sittingbourne rode their good fortune, none more so than when a Clark header took a ricochet off defender Ricky Pearson and rolled just wide with Williams wrong footed.

From Gentle's corner Jon Daly outjumped the keeper but once again the ball went wide.

Ten minutes from time a powerful drive from Peter Risley was fumbled by Williams who just managed to foil Foley as he moved in for the rebound.

During more than five minutes of injury time both Andy Polston and Turner went close while Bourne also made two rare advances into City territory with substitutes Peter Overton and Richard Sinden firing wide.

St Albans City: Addai; Polston, Risley, Adolphe, Mudd, Daly, Foley, Turner, Clark, Blackman, Gentle. Substitues: Deleon for Adolphe after 70 minutes, Cobb and Evans not used.

Sittingbourne: Williams; Smith, Davies, Hume, Pearson, Taylor, Walker, Lindsey, Planck, Rowland, Ponsford. Substitutes: Overton for Rowland after 61 minutes, Sinden for Walker after 75 minutes, Hodge for Planck after 86 minutes.

Referee: J Ross. Attendance: 475.

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