ST ALBANS CITY begin their defence of the Herts Charity Cup on Saturday with a visit to Hemel Hempstead Town.

Herts Advertiser: Greg Ngoyi powers the ball into the net against Potters Bar. Picture by Leigh PageGreg Ngoyi powers the ball into the net against Potters Bar. Picture by Leigh Page (Image: Archant)

Saints won the cup in dramatic fashion last season with a penalty shoot-out win over Potters Bar Town in the semi-final before beating Bishop’s Stortford in the final with an extra-time goal from Matt Taylor.

Joint manager Graham Golds recalled the final fondly saying: “For James [Gray, joint manager] and me, it was great to win our first bit of silverware for the club. Stortford came with a full-strength side and against a side with a mix of youth and experience we came out on top.

“Hopefully it will be the first of many cups.”

Saturday’s game at Hemel Hempstead TOwn will also be City’s first competitive game of the new season after they beat Potters Bar Town 6-0 in their final friendly.

And the fans can expect to see City utilise a strong squad against their Calor Southern League neighbours.

“We will be looking to put a strong squad out against Hemel,” said Gray.

“There is something at stake now so we want to win. And, as they are in the same league as us, it will be a good measuring stick to see where we are because I fully expect both sides to be there or thereabouts in April.”

Saints go into the game in good stead after a strong pre-season camp, which will give the side an edge, according to Golds.

“We have played a lot of friendlies because we feel it is better for the players as training can’t give them match practice. Overall, we’ve been really pleased,” he told the Herts Ad.

City capped off their pre-season at Potters Bar on Saturday with a six-goal rout, which saw Greg Ngoyi, James Comley, Ayran Tajbakhsh, John Frendo, Ryan Ashe and Mark Nwokeji.

“Potters Bar looked good but once we got the first goal we never looked back,” explained Golds.

“It was a great result.”

Saturday’s game kicks off at 3pm.