Saturday 9th September 2006
Vics 0 v  3  St Albans 3

Doubtless many will point to the misfortunes of having hit the woodwork on three occasions to being a contributory factor to a fourth consecutive home defeat for the Vics. The reality may lie more within a situation that allows no more than mediocre opposition the opportunity to capitalise on both indifferent defending and goalkeeping in the final quarter of play. Quite frankly questions have to be asked about the quality of defending being exhibited by Griffiths and in particular the consequences of leaving keeper Connett exposed to situations he seems ill equipped to deal with. 

Brayson had almost engineered an early goal that failed to come to fruition before PAUL HAKIM bagged a goal that once more seemed to send the home side into turmoil. Despite a decline in early optimism prospects remained hopeful and Mayman was only denied by the width of the crossbar after he had latched onto an Allan knockdown. Yet they still remained unable to assert consistent pressure on St Albans and when Damien Batt proved more determined than two Vics defenders down the flank his final cross went unchallenged by both defender and keeper leaving LEE FLYNN the undemanding task of tapping in at the far post. 

Mayman again produced Vics best effort by driving wide but their alarming defensive inadequacies were again exposed and effectively left the game already virtually beyond their reach. Barwick ceded original possession leading to a free kick on the right. The Davis free kick went unchallenged by both defender and keeper again leaving THEOBOLD to once more complete the most elementary of tasks and score from close range.

Trailing by three goals, the second half could only get better and the substitution of Payne for Griffiths and Townson for Carr provided initial impetus. After Connett again floundered in response to an Hakim snap shot Vics gradually wrenched control. Bastock made an important save from Townson and then Brayson was blocked out.

Allan had a measured shot strike against the post and then Mayman lifted a shot over the bar from a scoring position and at this stage had Vics pulled a goal back the visitors may well have capitulated. Yet St Albans defended better, and their keeper acquitted himself better, than their counterparts and after substitute Byrne failed to reduce the deficit on two separate occasions the outcome became obvious.