Jimmy Gray, St Albans City’s joint-manager, sported a beaming smile after his side secured a 1-0 win over Wealdstone.
Gray spent three years as captain of the visitors but the main thing as far as he was concerned was the win.
He said: “Getting the three points was the all-important thing but it’s all the sweeter when it’s against a side you used to play for.
“It’s a club I really like, great fans and a great manager.
“We just needed three points, however it came, and that was my team talk.
“The boys delivered today, we looked a little shaky at times, but once the goal went in we settled down.
“There was some good performances today and some players getting back to what I expect from them.”
He gave a special mention to goalscorer Ben Martin.
The City boss said: “I thought he took his goal really well.
“He’s took a bit of criticism recently. I’ve spoken to him a couple of times this week and he thinks he may have let himself down with a couple of goals [against Grimsby].
“But today, as soon as he scored his goal, he grew and grew.
“He was immense in the second half because they did through a lot towards us and he headed everything away.”
“I’m pleased for him but now he needs to kick on.”
The weather was not condusive to a expansive game of football with wind and rain giving both teams trouble.
Gray said: “It was ascrappy game. We’re not the league’s big hitters.
“We had to weather a bit but we also played some good football.
“It was never going to be a free-flowing game of football. We needed thee points; we’re desperate for points.
“It’s been tough but I’ve just challenged the boys to a new target.
“And to be fair to them, the spirit is brilliant. The lads are in there dancing.
“That’ll help us massively.”
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