24 Oct 2025
Cray Wanderers 1 St Albans 1 (Isthmian League Premier)
A last-gasp goal from substitute George Sippetts earned St Albans a creditable 1-1 draw away at one of the Isthmian League Premier’s early pacesetters.
The 93-minute strike from the 20-year-old, a former Colney Heath player before signing for City from Hayes & Yeading United, levelled the scores after Kareem Isiaka put the home side ahead on 46 minutes.
It was always going to be a tough task for Saints on Tuesday night against a Wanderers side sitting fourth in the table and beaten only once – by league-leaders Brentwood Town.
To add to their credentials, ‘The Wands’ drew 3-3 with fellow high-flyers Chatham Town on Saturday and before that had succeeded in getting another point away from home in a 1-1 draw away at Dulwich Hamlet.
Saints announced the signing of Elliot Betjemann on loan from Championship table-toppers Coventry City shortly before kick-off at Wanderers’ Flamingo Park ground in Chislehurst, south-east London.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who joins on an initial 28-day loan, started the game against Cray Wanderers, putting in a confident and lively performance.
City manager Ian Culverhouse used all five substitutes available to him to help his side push for the equaliser in the second half, but it looked like Saints might be out of luck until Sippetts’ late contribution with his second league goal of the season.
After his side moved up to eighth spot in the table, Culverhouse told the club’s social media: “I’m so proud of the team and that we got something out of the game at the end – I think we deserved it.”
On goalscorer Sippetts he said: “He’s frustrated because he’s not getting a lot of minutes, but he’s come off the bench and had an impact and I’m so pleased for him.”
He was also pleased with new loanee Betjemann: “Elliot controlled the ball really well, controlled the game at times, and he and Alex Dyer made a connection straight away – it
was a great debut. We’re really grateful to Coventry for trusting us with him.”
The post-match interview with Ian Culverhouse is available in full at https://www.youtube.com/@StAlbansCity/videos
