Saints 5  Hillingdon Borough 1 (Spartan Premier Division)

Local rivals Boro were sent packing after being overwhelmed by a powerful Saints display on Saturday. A powerful header by John Carroll rising above the pack to meet a Ben Stack free kick put Saints in front on the half hour and minutes later a delicious volley by Charlie Strutton from an Adam Louth pass increased the lead. Mark Oliver was in dominant form between the sticks for Saints as Boro tried to force a way back. Aaron Lansicott pulled a goal back with a breakaway goal, somehow springing the Saints offiside trap. But just before the break it was Saints again, with Adam Louth bundling home a Stack corner with a good header.

It was Louth again on the scoresheet on the hour with a fine shot after Alan Hedley had been fouled. This knocked much of the stuffing out of Boro but Saints couldn't extend their lead until stoppage time when substitutes Barry Brosnan and Jude Eboji combined brilliantly with the former volleying home after a great run and cross by the latter.

With both rivals Tring Athletic and Aylesbury dropping points, Saints strengthened their position at the top of the table. The latest table can be seen on the Team News page. 

Saints 3  Dunstable Town 0 (Spartan Premier Division)

Tuesday 2 March 2010

Saints got back to their winning ways with a comfortable win on Tuesday.

Within 10 minutes they took the lead as Daniel Hughes volleyed in a lob pass from Ben Stack. Dunstable tried to get into the game but it was a night when Saints were strong in all positions and it was only a series of heavy first touches that stopped them from overrunning their visitors.

A single goal lead has become unusual in recent weeks but that was doubled on the hour when Lee Togwell found himself in the right position to sweep home a Stack cross from close range. That lead was extended further when Alan Hedley forced a penalty with a typically powerful run into the box. Skipper John Carroll calmly netted the spot kick.

A full debut by Alex Roe-Brown was most impressive as he filled the front line with Charlie Strutton, and his speed certainly caused problems and doubtless as his experience grows, he will be a formidable asset to the club.

A note of thanks to the officials, who with their firm control over dissent made for a very enjoyable evening. 

Oxhey Jets 3  Saints 1 (Spartan Premier League)

Saints' long unbeaten run came to an abrupt end on a wet Saturday as bogey side Oxhey Jets came away with a surprise victory.

For long periods there was only one side looking for the win. Saints created chances and dominated play as they they usually do in an exciting first half but only had an own goal as reward when Ian Bywater turned an Adam Louth cross into his own net after half an hour. Oxhey nicked an equaliser just before the break when Lee Armitt scored with an outrageous shot from a very shall angle.

In a one-sided second half, the hosts were happy to get 10 men behind the ball and frustrate Saints as they sought to take control of the scoreline. Shots were cleared off the line and the bar was hit as Saints pressed for the lead. However, on the hour, Chris Killer lived up to his name by scoring into the top corner with a delightful shot to put the Jets in front.  After a particularly heavy downpour and increasing, but ultimately toothless, pressure by Saints it was the hosts who surprised even themselves by scoring a third with a breakaway goal by Wayne Gladdy. 

Saints face 3 homes games in eight days, starting on Tuesday when they entertain Dunstable Town.