St Albans City need a better cutting edge after Dartford loss says boss
Charlie Walker prepares to fire the ball towards goal. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
The lack of a clinical edge was the only difference between St Albans City and Vanarama National League South leaders Dartford according to manager Ian Allinson as Saints fell to a 2-1 defeat at Princes Park.
Shaun Lucien fires the ball across the Dartford penalty area. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
Charlie Walker cancelled out Richard Sho-Silva’s opener before half-time but Tom Bender’s own goal on the hour was the clincher.
It means they have only picked up 10 points in the last 10 league games and has seen them drop to fifth in the table.
But this was arguably City’s finest performance to date this year and, as with previous games, had they shown a better cutting edge in front of goal, it would have been a far different story.
Allinson said: “I didn’t think we started the game particularly well. For the first 15 minutes we overplayed in the wrong areas and they squeezed high up the park.
Dean Snedker claims the ball under pressure. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“And in the end the pressure told.
“Harold Joseph picked up a bit of an injury and it forced us to go with more of a 4-4-2 which changed the game.
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“And from there I felt there was only going to be one winner.
“Unfortunately we’ve been done by a quality cross in the second half.
Tom Bender heads clear. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“But again it comes back to chances. We’ve had a number over the last three games and only picked up one point.
“We’ve got to be clinical in front of goal because we can’t be like we were for the last hour, especially in the second half where we’ve had long periods of pressure.
“Dartford have defended for their lives, they’ve made some really good saves and we’ve created some really good chances but we haven’t been clinical enough.”
The switch to two in front is something that has been discussed by the Saints faithful in recent weeks and the City boss admitted he had considered that option prior to kick-off.
Charlie Walker celebrates after scoring from a David Noble corner. Picture: LEIGH PAGE - Credit: Archant
“It was in my mind to get two strikers in the game as we left Nathan Pinney a bit isolated against Hampton & Richmond on Tuesday,” Allinson said.
“It wasn’t poor on Tuesday but we just couldn’t get hold of the ball and weren’t creating much.
“So I thought we’d go two up front and see how it worked and to be fair to Charlie Walker he’s taken his goal really well.
“And it got us back in the game.
“We’ve had around 10 corners in the second half but we need to work on our deliveries.
“And they’ve defended really well. They’re a difficult side to play against when it’s a set-pieces game.”
Attnetion will now turn to the Herts Senior Challenge Cup on Wednesday when St Albans head to Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Hadley.
