CARETAKER St Albans City bosses James Gray and Graham Golds put their hats into the ring for the club’s vacant manager’s position by guiding the Saints to an impressive 3-0 home win over high fliers Leamington on Saturday.

City turned the form book on its head by ending second-placed Leamington’s unbeaten league run which stretched back to March, a total of 26 Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division matches.

After the match club captaian Gray confirmed that he and Golds, who have been in charge of the successful City U18 Midweek Youth side, would be interested in taking over the job on a permanent basis.

More than 25 applications have been received by the Clarence Park club for the post, several interviews have been conducted, but it is not thought an announcement about David Howell’s replacement will be made until next week.

On the pitch the Saints put in their most impressive display of the season and deserved all three points which came courtesy of goals from Simon Martin, David Ijaha and teenager Matt Taylor.

A delighted Gray told The Herts Advertiser: “Obviously it was a very positive result, I was very happy with the way we played.

“I said to the boys ‘there’s no better place for them [Leamington] to lose their run than here at Clarence Park’.”

It was the duo’s third game in charge, they began with a 2-0 loss at Bashley, followed that with a 2-1 win over a Watford XI in the Herts Senior Cup and then Saturday’s success.

“I know the boys, I’ve been in there playing you could see they were deflated, we needed to pick it up, they just needed a bit of confidence going into this game and they got that Tuesday.

“We got the ball moving well, the way Graham and I like to play, it worked for us on Tuesday night, we got a last minute winner, and we took it into today [Saturday].

“I said to the boys ‘from the first whistle look to play the right way’ we didn’t want to just be helping things on as their centre halves are big lads and it would just have played into their hands.

“We said ‘get the ball down and play and it’ll create some openings’ it did, and at 3-0 I’m a bit gutted it wasn’t more.

“We are looking for everyone to muck in together and help each other out, if you lose possession let your mate win it back and then you go and help him.

“I’m proud as punch, in three games we have changed formation, changed personnel positionally but it’s the same set of lads.”

On Saturday Leamington boss Paul Holleran had some kind words for Gray and Golds after his side’s 3-0 loss.

Gray added: “He just said ‘well done maybe that’ll help you get the job.’”