LEE Clarke took his tally to 18 goals for the season as St Albans City continued their impressive home form with a convincing win over Basingstoke Town on Saturday. The Saints made it five wins in six at Clarence Park and extended their run to only one le

LEE Clarke took his tally to 18 goals for the season as St Albans City continued their impressive home form with a convincing win over Basingstoke Town on Saturday. The Saints made it five wins in six at Clarence Park and extended their run to only one league defeat in 12 home matches. Top scorer Clarke fired in a hat trick to seal the 3-1 win and make it eight goals in the last seven league games for him. He was also named Man of the Match after the contest and manager Colin Lippiatt was suitably impressed. He said: "Lee Clarke was brilliant, he is really firing for us at the moment." Winger Mark Graham has left the club and Lippiatt is keeping his eye on one more possible signing as he looks to equip his squad for a difficult month ahead. The manager said: "I am keeping my ear to the ground about one possibility of a signing at the moment, but there is no name as yet. For us and many other clubs February is a big month. We have four away games and two at home and these will have a significant say on our season." City were certainly not at their fluent best on Saturday but still had far too much for Basingstoke Town and could have hit them for five or six. Lippiatt said: "In passages of play we looked quite good but it was disappointing that we didn't show the professionalism to kill the game off. The most disappointing thing was that we conceded a sloppy goal at the end. We should have had a clean sheet. I was more pleased in the first half and although James Taylor had a chance for them which he screwed wide, I don't think anyone would have complained if we were three or four goals up." With Weymouth and Havant and Waterlooville both losing, the pendulam swung back towards Saints in the promotion race. Lippiatt said: "Nearly all the results went our way, with only Farnborough winning as well. If you put thingss in perspective, we have scored 60 goals and our defensive record compares with the other teams, when you consider we are an attacking team, or a counter-attacking team." Saints go to Lewes on Saturday and Lippiatt is looking for more consistency away from home. He said: "Our home record is good with only two defeats this season but I am looking for a bit more away. We have got a predominantly attacking mentality and I have said to the players that I will be looking at team selections - and systems for what they are worth - in a little more detail in the coming matches." l The Supporters Club will be providing a coach for the Lewes game on Saturday, February 4, departing Clarence Road at 10.15am. For details telephone Ian Bangs on 07733 381874 or Peter Knock on 01727 847484. The prices for adults are £13 for members and £16 for non-members, and for juniors £7 for members and £8 for non-members.