14 Oct 2026
St Albans City 2 Hitchin Town 1 (Herts Senior Cup)
From Jess Unwin at Clarence Park, Hitchin photos by Jim Standen, Carshalton Athletic photos by Shane Majer
Teenage winger Sidney Turner scored with his first touch off the bench, getting the goal that ensured Saints eliminated the team that won this competition last season.
Eighteen-year-old Turner, whose football journey so far includes playing at youth level for Dutch sides AVV Zeeburgia, Ajax and Utrecht, pounced on 77 minutes after a shot from fellow substitute Mikey Faulkner was parried into his path by the Hitchin keeper.
Faulkner’s part in the run-up to the goal and Turner’s finish were examples of the extra quality from Saints that was eventually enough to see them squeeze past the Canaries, who had their moments in this match.
Another example of that quality was the defence-splitting pass from loan star Tobi Akinyimika, setting up striker Kai Brown to put St Albans 1-0 ahead after 40 minutes.
The 19-year-old, signed on loan from the Watford academy, was one of several young players in what was still a strong starting line-up for this Tuesday night cup clash.
Hitchin came into the game on the back of troubling form in the Southern League Premier Division Central, where they have won only one of their 11 games so far.
Nevertheless, just two minutes after going behind, the visitors levelled the scores when a cross to the far post found a Hitchin player unmarked and his header beat City keeper Sam Donkin.
In the second half, Akinyimika hit a shot over the bar before Town carved out two or three half chances at the other end – but in each case Donkin or the defenders in front of him were able to snuff out the danger.
After St Albans City manager Gary McCann made the team changes that led Turner’s winner, his first goal for the club, it seemed Brown had put Saints further ahead, but his strike was ruled offside.
Faulkner should have put the result beyond all doubt when through on goal, and Hitchin’s continued efforts to press for a late equaliser eventually ended in vain, so 2-1 was the final score.
Talking to the club’s YouTube channel, McCann said post-match: “Tonight we just wanted keep that winning momentum and I’m pleased we’ve done that in the end.”
He praised all the youngsters involved in the game, but spotlighted Akinyimika’s first half assist: “It was a really magic moment from Tobi. He’s a really talented player … and the timing of his pass to put Kai in motion and one on one with the goalkeeper was excellent.”
A glut of cup games, and the rearranged fixtures list that has produced, means Saints won’t have another competitive game until October 24, but then have four games in nine days.
However, there’s more positive news around Kieran Petrie and Harrison Smith, who McCann said were making good progress in recovering from injuries, although not yet ready for full training. Club captain Zane Banton is also on the mend after “concussion issues” and should be back in full training soon.
- Amid City’s current flurry of various cup fixtures, it was a goal “made in Montserrat” that clinched three points for St Albans in their Isthmian League Premier Division game away at Carshalton Athletic on Saturday.
St Albans boss Gary McCann was able to welcome Alex Dyer and Darion Furlong back into his matchday squad after three weeks away on international duty with Montserrat.
And it was midfield ‘general’ Dyer and centre back stalwart Furlong who combined to get the all-important winning goal on 68 minutes.
Talking to the club’s YouTube channel, McCann said: “They’re key senior players, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch too and they’ve both played a part in the win in the end.”
He added: “The goal wasn’t something we’ve worked on in training but… it was very much made in Montserrat.”
City’s weekend clash at the War Memorial Sports Ground – their first action in the league since a 3-3 draw at Cray Wanderers on 15 September – was a game of few chances.
The only development of note in a scoreless first half was the departure from the field of Frankie Musonda with a hamstring problem. That could be a disappointing setback for the Zambian international, who had successfully stepped into the side in recent weeks after recovering from injury earlier in the season.
Saints eventually got the all-important goal through his replacement, Furlong. The defender met Dyer’s second-half corner kick, hitting the ball into the astro-turf on the edge of the penalty area, and then saw it loop up and into the top right corner of the Carshalton net with keeper Ben Dudzinski merely a forlorn spectator.
The Robins fought back, but City’s resilient defence kept them at bay. The hosts came closest to equalising when Tope Fadahunsi hit the post after a goalmouth scramble – but it wouldn’t have counted if he had hit the target as he was ruled offside.
McCann said the 1-0 win was the perfect response after the disappointment of FA Cup defeat to Bury Town: “I thought we were well worthy of the win even if neither team created too many chances.”
He continued: “We defended brilliantly. We lost Frankie early on who has been outstanding. That can derail you, but it didn’t affect us. Darion came in, picked up the baton, and was outstanding.” - Saints’ next league game is not until they take on Burgess Hill at Clarence Park on Tuesday
October 27. Before that, they play away at Whitehawk in the FA Trophy on October 24.
