St Albans City...3 Ware...0

WITH the 20th hat trick of his St Albans City career, long serving striker Steve Clark booked the Saints a place in the final of the Herts Charity Cup at Clarence Park on Tuesday and moved to within four of his 250th goal for the club.

Following a pre-match pep talk by new chairman Lee Harding, the Saints put in a patchy performance in heavy conditions made worse by a storm 20 minutes from time and, despite the final score, did not have things all their own way against Division Three Ryman League opposition.

After an undistinguished opening, City went ahead on 26 minutes when Justin Gentle had two attempts at a cross from the City left, his second effort was competently headed home at the back post by Clark. City's only other serious first half attack ended with Andy Polston being denied his first goal in three years by the woodwork.

The Saints second goal was vintage Clark as he dived full length to meet a Gary Cobb free kick and beat keeper Martin Patching from 15 yards.

City completed the formalities seven minutes from time when the unmarked Clark successfully completed a trio of headed goals to take his recent goal tally to six in four games.

The Saints face either Bishop's Stortford or Berkhamsted Town in the final.

St Albans City: Addai, Polston, Risley (Adolphe 80), Akinbolu, Evans, Cobb, Foley, Turner, (Daly 65), Clark, Deleon, (Blackman 61), Gentle.

Referee: M Ives. Att: 105.

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