Match Preview

St Albans City v Hungerford Town
Where: Clarence Park, AL1 4PL
When: 4th January 2020
K.O 3PM
This could be a season defining game. If the hosts were to win they'd go eight points clear of their visitors. A gap which could be too much to bridge. Add in the factor of Hungerford not playing next weekend due to Dorking's FA Trophy commitments, and the gap could be eleven points by the time Hungerford play another league match. Wins are most definitely needed; Saturday would be the perfect time to get back on track.

Form guide- St Albans have narrowly lost their last two matches both away from home at Hemel Hempstead and Wealdstone. Hungerford are on a five match losing streak having lost out to Oxford on New Year's Day and Havant and Waterlooville last Saturday.

Team news- Ian Allison has said some of his players will need to be assessed for knocks and niggles meaning some changes could be made from the side that played Hemel. Ian Herring is boosted by the return of fullbacks Bradley Webb and Marcus Johnson-Schuster. However, Herring is still without Dan Bailey, Louis McGrory, Yan Klukowski and Matt Berry-Hargreaves due to injuries.

Star man- Joe Iaciofano is the St Albans top scorer with 12 league goals this campaign including one in the reverse fixture between these sides. Matt Jones was the Crusaders man of the match in there last game versus Oxford, defending resiliently and attacking with purpose down the left flank.

Head to head- These sides met in September when Saints ran out 2-1 winners at Bulpit Lane. Last season they met on the opening day with Saints scoring a last minute winner to win the contest 3-2 but Hungerford got revenge with a thumping 5-0 success in the reverse fixture. They've met six times previous in National League South and Southern Premier matches with St Albans winning two, drawing two and losing out two times to the Crusaders.