United 4
Reid 5’ & 58’. Bender (OG) 13’, Andrews 60’
St Albans 1
Kamjdo 9’
A brace from Jamie Reid, an own goal from Tom Bender, and a cute finish from Jake Andrews was enough to get united back to winning ways. It was a performance that the Yellow Army had been waiting for, and will demand to see from their team in the future. Every player contributed, and together they showed how effective they can be in dominating opposition teams.
United took an early lead through in-form striker Jamie Reid. A one-two with Ruairi Keating created the space for the twenty-four year old to fire past St Albans’ ‘keeper Dean Snedker.
Despite a very bright start from United they were pegged back four minutes later after a long throw from St Albans’ Sam Merson wasn’t dealt with and midfielder Clovis Kamdjo chested the ball down to fire in/ It appeared to take a deflection on its way in.
United regained the lead in the 13th minute through a defensive error. A dangerous cross whipped in by Liam Davis was met by Bender whose low header found the back of his own net.
From that moment onwards United were in complete control. It was only ever going to be a case of how many they were able to score.
St Albans were almost punished for a mistake just before the half hour mark. An inswinging corner wasn’t dealt with by the ‘keeper who only managed to flap at the ball but the effort was kept out by a teammate.
United got their third in the 58th minute. An inch-perfect long pass from Jean-Yves Koue Niate found Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala. He went on a trademark run which opened up a space for Jamie Reid. His shot from outside the box nestled into the bottom right to put United 3-1 up.
A mere minute later United were 4-1 up. Saikou Janneh cut into the box from the right wing and set up Jake Andrews for United’s fourth. It was a cultured finish.
United looked for a fifth but to their credit St Albans kept a competitive edge to their game.
United: Shaun MacDonald (GK), Ben Wynter (Sendles-White 79’), Liam Davis, Ruairi Keating (Williams 75’), Saikou Janneh, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Jean-Yves Koue Niate, Kyle Cameron (capt), Jake Andrews (Nabi 86’), Jamie Reid, Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala
Subs (Not Used): George Burton (GK), Olaf Koszela
St Albans : Dean Snedker (GK), Ben Herd, Tom Bender, Percy Kiangebeni (Gabriel 60’), Lewis Knight, Dave Didehiou, Ben Wyatt, Soloman Sambou, Sam Merson (Gardiner-Smith 60’), David Moyo, Clovis Kamdjo
Subs (Not Used): David Noble, Andrew McCorkill
Referee: James Durkin
Attendance: 1589 (11 away)