Saints win behind-closed-doors friendly

ST Albans City got a much needed 90 minutes in last night as they beat Potters Bar 5-1 in a behind-closed doors friendly at the David Beckham Academy near the O2 Arena in Docklands. Adam Everitt scored twice and there were further goals from James Fisher

ST Albans City got a much needed 90 minutes in last night as they beat Potters Bar 5-1 in a behind-closed doors friendly at the David Beckham Academy near the O2 Arena in Docklands.

Adam Everitt scored twice and there were further goals from James Fisher, Paul Hakim and Danny Charge with boss Steve Castle telling The Herts Advertiser that it was an invaluable exercise.

"It was a really worthwhile exercise with Soloman [Shields] coming in. I didn't want him coming in cold on Saturday and it proved invaluable really. We won 5-1, though the result was irrelevant, and got 90 minutes of football in on a fantastic surface indoors."

"We were down at the David Beckham Academy where our left back Scott Cousins works and he pulled in his favours to get us the surface.

"The only downside was that Ryan Frater got a bruised toe but he will be alright for Saturday.

"I've downgraded the result a bit but we'll take the confidence that a 5-1 win brings."

Loanee Charge again found the back of the net and Castle says he's been looking at ways to fit the young striker from Dagenham & Redbridge into the team.

"Obviously Danny has had to be patient and to dislodge Gary Cohen and Paul Hakim up top is tough. I looked at a new formation last night with Danny on the left and the other two still up top and hopefully with a bit of luck we can get a formation with him out on the left."

Shields made his first appearance in a City shirt and, although Castle was keen to avoid putting pressure on the 19-year old, he says he is pleased with his latest recruit.

"I don't want to big him up too much but he played just how I wanted him too.