National League South: Ian Allinson praises St Albans City’s character after comeback success at Weston-super-Mare

PUBLISHED: 09:04 12 August 2018 | UPDATED: 09:07 12 August 2018

Neil Metcalfe

Zane Banton fires the ball into the back of the net to get the Saints back into the game Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

Copyright - Leigh Page 2018

Ralston Gabriel lifts the ball towards goal Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

The Vanarama National League South game had almost everything, with five goals and chances galore keeping the crowd at the Woodspring Stadium entertained through the late summer rain.

Zane Banton in action against Weston Super Mare Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

After Ralston Gabriel had an early goal chalked off for offside George Nurse and Jarrad Welch fired the hosts ahead inside 25 minutes.

David Moyo drills the ball towards goal Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

But less than 15 minutes Saints were level as first Zane Banton drilled one in from 20 yards and then Gabriel dinked the ball over Weston keeper, Luke Purnell.

Ralston Gabriel celebrates bring the Saints level Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

The second half went end-to-end for a bit, Dean Snedker making two fabulous stops, before Banton sealed the fightback on 72 minutes.

Ralston Gabriel celebrates bring the Saints level Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

And manager Allinson was delighted with how things worked out.

James Sage wins the aerial battle Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

He said: “I’m pleased with the three points. We’ve still got loads to work on but we showed great character.

Ralston Gabriel put in a shift on the seaside covering evry blade of grass Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

“We could have folded at 2-0 down away from home after a long journey, we could have thrown the towel in but we kept plugging away and although we may have ridden our luck a little bit, we got the three points which is important at this stage of the season.

Ben Herd clears the Saints lines Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

“I actually thought we started the game really well and scored a good goal through David Moyo and Ralston Gabriel combining but the linesman’s flag went up which is a little bit disappointing.

Dean Snedker under pressure claims the ball Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

And they scored probably against the run of play which was poor from our point of view.

Tom Bender rises the highest Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

“You have to appreciate how wet it was out there.

Aaron Parsons puts the Saints defenses under pressure only for striker Ralston Gabriel to clear Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

“The ball was skidding and mistakes were made but we ended up getting the goal that gave us the three points.”

Solomon Sambou powering forward through the middle of a rain drenched Woodspring Stadium Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

Saints formation has raised some eyebrows and Allinson admitted he may have to re-evaluate things, if only to keep his heart-rate down.

Zane Banton was masterful controlling the Saints attacking display. Picture: Leigh Page

He said: “We felt we were too negative in the first two games with the way we’d set up but then we looked good defensively.

The Weston defense tries to get a grip of David Moyo. Picture: Leigh Page

“We’ve got to pick and choose when we can play this shape and formation.

Zane Banton guides the ball into the back of the Weston net to earn all three points for the Saints on their travels Vanarama National League South: Weston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

“At times we leave ourselves totally exposed as a team to being attacked but when we do go forward, we cause lots of problems and we could have scored more goals.”

David Moyo rises the highest to head the ball just wide of the goal. Picture: Leigh Page

And while it was Banton who got two goals, the City gaffer had praise for his other goalscorer.

Ralston Gabriel preparing to fire the ball, adding to his storing tally for the season making it 3 goals in 3 games. Picture: Leigh Page

Gabriel’s first-half strike was the third goal in three games for the former Haringey Borough man since his move up the levels.

Roman Michael-Percil in action against Weston Super Mare. Picture: Leigh Page

And Allinson thinks there could be more to come.

Ben Herd pushing on through the middle of the park Vanarama National League South: Wston Super Mare v St. Albans City, Woodspring Stadium, 11th August 2018. Picture: Leigh Page

“He’s had a great start and he could have had more, he said. “It is a transition from his point of view and I said to him it will take him six or so games to get up to the pace of this league.

“There were a couple of times he could have got the shot away earlier where in the leagues below he might have had more time.

“But that will come and we’ll work hard in training with some finishing training for him.”