St Albans City 0
United 1
Tomlinson 38′
United produced a performance full of spirit on Saturday afternoon, when a 1-0 victory saw them secure their first away win of the 2023/24 season.
A first half goal from Ollie Tomlinson, his first for the Club, proved the decisive moment away at St Albans, as the team battled to a 1-0 win. The United centre-back found the back of the net in the 38th minute.
United Manager Gary Johnson named two changes in the starting eleven that ran out 2-1 winners over Chippenham Town at Plainmoor earlier in the week, with Dillon De Silva and Will Jenkins Davies named in the starting XI in the place of Asa Hall and Aaron Jarvis.
On 6 minutes some good play saw the men in blue and white nearly cause trouble for the home side, when Tom Lapslie switched play from the left to the right flank, finding Stobbs, who drove down the wing before an inviting cross had to be carefully watched and gathered by Michael Johnson, as Brad Ash arrived at the far-post.
Two minutes later, however, United’s own number one had to be alert. A long ball forward was chased down by Dan Bowry, but Mark Halstead was quick off his line to clear the danger. In the minutes that followed the hosts stood firm to defend a number of United corners.
In the 30th minute it was Gary Johnson’s side who went on to have the best chance of the half so far. Stobbs worked well down the right flank before an inviting cross into the box was met by De Silva who managed to pass his man and to earn himself a free header, which the winger could only manage to flick wide.
United continued to press the St Albans defence and eight minutes later found the opener. Another well-worked corner by Stobbs curled towards the far-post and in amongst a cluster of players, came off of a St Albans player and into the path of Tomlinson who was able to bundle home, 1-0 United.
In the 41st minute there were chances for both sides to get the next goal. Firstly, another great delivery by Stobbs met De Silva beyond the far-post, with his header forcing a save out of Johnson, before on the counter, a dangerous through-ball played Shaun Jeffers through, but Ross Marshall was quick to retreat, with an excellently timed tackle allowing United to clear. 1-0 at the halfway stage.
The hosts were quick out of the blocks in the opening stages of the final 45, and inside the first minute of the half, United’s shot-stopper was forced into action. Dylan Fage worked his way into the edge of the United penalty area, with Halstead quick off of his line to block the strike. On 57 minutes Fage was again the man in action as he squared the ball for Jeffers, who was caught off-balance and could only fire his shot over.
Moments later, however, it was Gary Johnson’s men who went close in quick succession. Stobbs cut in from the right before playing the ball onto his left foot, with a curling effort dipping just over the crossbar. Two minutes later Ash burst into the St Albans box before squaring the ball for Stobbs, who was getting ready to aim for an empty net, when a yellow shirt was able to retreat just in time to prevent the winger from doubling the advantage.
A period of end-to-end play pursued, as both teams were battling to get the second goal of the game, but Gary Johnson’s side were able to hold firm, with all of the players playing their part to ensure the three points came back with United.
Onto Slough Town next Saturday… see you there, Yellow Army!
ST ALBANS CITY: 1. Michael Johnson, 3. Sam Brown, 4. Ben Smith, 5. Dan Bowry, 8. Georgio Rasulo, 9. Shaun Jeffers, 10. Bobby Dunn (7. Ryan Blackman 52′), 21. Dylan Fage, 22. Nathan Carlyle, 23. Ben Wyatt, 28. George Hoddle.
SUBS: 6. Michael Clark, 13. Sam Bentley, 20. Charlie McDonald, Raul Fernandes Da Silva.
Yellow Cards: Rasulo 59′
UNITED: 1. Mark Halstead (c), 3. Dan Martin, 4. Tom Lapslie (14. Brett McGavin 85′), 6. Ross Marshall (7. Ryan Hanson 78′), 10. Lewis Collins, 11. Brad Ash, 16. Shaun Donnellan, 17. Dillon De Silva (2. Dylan Crowe 69′), 18. Will Jenkins Davies, 23. Ollie Tomlinson, 27. Jack Stobbs.
SUBS: 22. Rhys Lovett, 24. Calum Thomas.
Yellow Cards: Ash 50′, Collins 89′, Jenkins Davies 90+2′, Halstead 90+6′
Attendance: 1,635