Stadium: Mozzarella Fellas Stadium (Capacity: 5,000)
Table Position: 6th
Top Scorer: Shaun Jeffers (23)
Manager: David Noble
Nickname: The Saints
2022/23 average attendance: 1,272
Concord Rangers are back on home turf tomorrow afternoon for the first time since mid March as promotion hopefuls St Albans City make the trip to Essex.
The Saints slipped down to sixth on Good Friday with a 2-0 home defeat to playoff rivals Braintree Town, whilst Concord Rangers were on the receiving end of a 7-0 score line at Worthing.
Three points tomorrow afternoon would be the Beach Boys' first in six games in all competitions and their first at home since December.
Rob Small's side are yet to win a league game at the Aspect Arena in 2023 and as a result find themselves bottom of the table; 11 points from safety with four games in hand.
On the other hand St Albans come into this tie off the back of some much more promising form with David Noble's outfit three games unbeaten on their travels.
The head-to-head record between the two sides leans in Concord's favour, with the Beach Boys three games unbeaten at home to the Saints - a record that stretches back to 2018.
Last term also saw Concord do the double over their Hertfordshire based opponents, something they won't be able to repeat this campaign regardless of Monday's result due to St Albans winning the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier this season.
Nothing is guaranteed ahead of tomorrows game however it is likely that the referee may produce some cards. Three of the past four meetings between the sides have seen a red card produced; with then Concord midfielder Ryan Blackman being the man who received his marching orders in the reverse fixture.
Key Player
Shaun Jeffers
Although he may not come into this game in a fine run of form, St Albans' top scorer Shaun Jeffers has terrorised National League South defences all season long with 23 goals to his name.
After coming through the youth system at Coventry City, Jeffers went on to play for a host of EFL clubs including Cheltenham Town, Peterborough United, Newport County and Yeovil Town.
Last season the former England Under 19 international netted 27 goals for the Saints a figure he can beat provided he picks up some form before the season's end.
The 30 year old is likely to be a handful for the Beach Boys backline as he looks to end his streak of six games without a goal.
They've played for both
Michael Clark
One of three former Beach Boys who now play their trade at the Mozzarella Fellas Stadium, defender Michael Clark has been with the Saints since 2020.
This season has seen Clark appear 25 times for St Albans with the 25 year old playing a key role in the Saints' playoff push.
Clark had a brief spell in 2018 with Concord during which time he made four appearances.
Clark has also previously turned out for fellow Essex clubs East Thurrock United and Braintree Town.
Ryan Blackman
A Concord player as recent as January, midfield maestro Ryan Blackman originally joined the Saints on loan from Concord in January before making the switch permanent last month.
Since making the move to Hertfordshire, Blackman has made 16 appearances and scored one goal - an eye-catching strike against Oxford City.
During his time at the Aspect Arena this season the 28 year old made 19 appearances scoring four goals, which made him the club's top scorer at the time of his departure.
Blackman has also represented the likes of Welling United and Hemel Hempstead Town thus far in his career.
Zane Banton
A name that will certainly sound familiar to the Concord faithful, Zane Banton not only once played for Concord but the attacker also scored against the Beach Boys for St Albans last season.
Banton had a brief loan spell with Concord, from Luton Town, back in 2014, prior to stints with Biggleswade Town, Hemel Hempstead and Boreham Wood.
The 26 year old became a St Albans player in 2017 and so far this term has bagged eight goals in 44 appearances.
Banton was on target when St Albans were last on their travels; a 1-1 draw at Chippenham Town at the beginning of the month.
Form
Concord Rangers
L - 0-3 vs Hemel Hempstead Town (A)
L - 1-2 vs Farnborough (A)
L - 0-1 vs Taunton Town (A)
L - 0-7 vs Worthing (A)
St Albans City
W - 1-0 vs Dover Athletic (H)
W - 2-0 vs Havant and Waterlooville (H)
D - 1-1 vs Chippenham Town (A)
L - 0-2 vs Braintree Town (H)
Head-to-head
11/10/2022: St Albans City 1-0 Concord Rangers
22/03/2022: Concord Rangers 2-1 St Albans City
12/03/2022: St Albans City 0-1 Concord Rangers
21/09/2021: St Albans City 2-0 Concord Rangers
18/09/2021: Concord Rangers 0-0 St Albans City
By Nathan Williams
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