Cambridge City (H) 29th September 2019
4-1 - Scott FG10, Teague M FG18, Tariq M FG61, Islam FG63

St Albans Men’s first team had goalkeeper Iain Fraser and the Marcano brothers to thank for a winning start as they returned to the national league on Sunday. Fraser saved a penalty stroke and both Teague and Tariq Marcano were on the scoresheet as the Tangerines ended up with a 4-1 win.

After a solid preseason St Albans went into their first national league match in six seasons in good spirits. Under new head coach Dillet Gilkes, debuts were handed to Rhodri Jones who joins from Nottingham University, teenager Arman Islam, and Teague Marcano younger brother of Tariq and a current Trinidad and Tobago international, who joins from Canterbury.

St Albans struck the opening blow with George Scott sweeping home at the back post after good work in the circle from Luke Kennedy and Jakob Plant. The lead was doubled when Teague Marcano, who was a menace to the away defence all match, fired home on 18 minutes.

Cambridge started strongly after the half time break and were soon rewarded with a penalty stroke that was dispatched with aplomb by Gareth Andrew. Minutes later another penalty stroke was awarded to Cambridge and Andrew stepped up again. He opted for the same flick but sadly for him it was met with Fraser’s big right glove. This changed the match, and St Albans seemed to regather momentum. As the game entered the last quarter it was still in the balance, until Tariq Marcano drove into the left side of the circle a thundered a backhand shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-1. The win was sealed two minutes later when debutant Islam tapped in at the back post after more good work from Tariq.

After the match captain Matt Davey was happy with the result “The first game in a new league is always a bit of a step into the unknown, but we put up a solid all-round performance and it's good to get some early points on the board.”

Next up St Albans host Harleston Magpies on Sunday, 2pm at Oaklands College.