St Albans City bounced back from defeat to a Luton Town XI with an impressive 4-0 pre-season victory over Berkhamsted at Clarence Park.
An attendance of 242 watched the Saints produce an encouraging display, with summer signing Kai Brown continuing his prolific pre-season form by helping himself to a hat-trick.
Managerial preparations for the new campaign continued with Jake Boxer making his first pre-season start in goal behind a defence of Jack James, Remi Sutton, Darion Furlong and Lewis Page. Alex Dyer, Jake Gray and Zane Banton operated in midfield, supporting a front three of Kieran Petrie, Ollie Knight and Brown.
Berkhamsted threatened first from an early free-kick, in the fixture last Tuesday, but Sutton dealt comfortably with the delivery. City gradually took control and created the game's first clear opening when Banton slipped Knight through, only for the forward to fire straight at goalkeeper Hubert Graczyk.
The hosts then went close from a corner after Furlong's long throw caused problems in the visitors' penalty area. Dyer's delivery eventually found James, whose header forced Graczyk into a smart save. Dyer also tried his luck from distance, curling narrowly over after another set-piece routine.
At the other end, Boxer showed his quality with an excellent save to deny Pierce Mitchell's powerful header from a JJ Lacey free-kick.
City continued to press and were rewarded midway through the half when Brown was brought down inside the area. Although the referee initially waved away appeals, consultation with his assistant resulted in a penalty being awarded. Brown stepped up and calmly dispatched the spot-kick low into the bottom corner.
The striker nearly doubled the advantage moments later, cutting inside and shooting straight at Graczyk, but he would not have to wait long. Petrie produced a skilful run down the flank before delivering a teasing cross that Brown met with a composed header to make it 2-0 before the interval.
Brown completed his hat-trick shortly after the restart. Trialist B capitalised on a defensive error and delivered a bouncing cross which Brown expertly guided into the bottom corner with his knee, taking his pre-season tally to six goals.
A number of substitutions followed as City rotated their squad, but the home side maintained their dominance. Berkhamsted's hopes of a response were limited to a free-kick from James Gurteen that flew harmlessly over the bar.
The Saints added a deserved fourth late on when Max Fergie won possession before combining with Mikey Faulkner, whose perfectly weighted through-ball released Trialist B to finish confidently past the goalkeeper.
A late headed clearance by Trialist A preserved the clean sheet as City completed a commanding performance.
See next week's paper for the Saints return to Clarence Park as a Watford XI provided the next test in their pre-season programme.
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