WITH City manager Jimmy Neighbour in Gainsborough spying on Barrow at the weekend, the task of explaining away the Saints latest Ryman League defeat fell to the likeable Saints assistant manager Terry Harris.

He said: "For 40 minutes or so we looked okay but the cutting edge was not there. I've said to the players before, if you go in at half time 0-0 then you still have a solid base to work on but for all three goals people did not do their jobs. At half time we were optimistic for the second half, we felt we could gets the goal back and go on from there," said Harris.

City's pre-match preparations were far from ideal with Steve Clark being ruled out by illness to go with a groin strain, right back Andy Polston was ill throughout Friday night following the concussion he suffered after being elbowed at Wokingham, and left back Peter Risley has an infection in toe broken twice during the past year.

The dismantling of the side through injury certainly caused problems for the Saints number two. "It is very frustrating that the side I had mapped out at one o'clock was not the side which kicked off at three. We had to change the side around but that is no excuse. Darren Lonergan came in and helped out and I felt that Paul Adolphe was excellent, it was one of his best games. Jon Daly and Paul Turner were also excellent."

Heading for Trophy Furness

ST Albans City received a massive boost earlier this week with the news that goalkeeper Gareth Howells is set to return to the side in time for Saturday's demanding FA Umbro Trophy First Round tie at runaway Unibond League leaders Barrow.

Howells has been out of the side since mid November following an ankle operation and was pencilled in to return to the City side for last night's important Ryman League match with Purfleet at Clarence Park.

The Saints are also optimistic that Andy Polston's head will have cleared sufficiently for him to reclaim a place in the side last night but Steve Clark remains doubtful. The only definite absentee last night was Peter Risley who is due to see a specialist at Edgware General Hospital today (Wednesday) in a desperate attempt to get him into a good enough condition to start Saturday's match at Holker Street. The likely outcome is that Risley could be out for four weeks.

The journey to Cumbria is very much a venture into the unknown for the Saints, who have never previously played in that part of the country.

Jimmy Neighbour was highly impressed when he saw Barrow cruise to a 3-0 win at Gainsborough on Saturday and maintain their healthy 13-point lead at the top of the Unibond League.

"They are a good team. I can see why they have not let many goals in (15 in 29 league games). Their goalkeeper completely dominates his penalty area and they have three players at the back who deal with everything that is thrown at them. Their midfield works very hard and the wing backs get up and down well. In attack they have a couple of players who look particularly good and hold the ball up well.

"Barrow are a very solid workmanlike side will be difficult to break down but it is up to what we do on the day that matters. We have to defend well and make sure that we don't give away the type of sloppy goals which have come in our games recently."

Kick off at Holker Street is at 3pm, should the scores be level at 90 minutes then the Saints will entertain the former Football League club in a replay at Clarence Park next Tuesday, kick off 7.30pm.

Bookings for the supporters coach, which leaves St Albans at 6.30am, are being taken by Steve Trulock on 01727 834920.

Should there be a clear result on Saturday then Saints will be in cup action next Monday, February 2, for a Third Round Herts Senior Cup tie with Barnet. Although the game is Barnet's home match it will be played at Clarence Park (7.30pm).

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