St Albans City 0-0 Stevenage: Offside flag frustrates Boro in pre-season draw

Danny Newton of Stevenage scores from an offside position during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Boro's first-half side was a strong one, with new signing Tyler Denton making his first appearance for the club.

Stevenage made a bright start and thought they had taken the lead inside in the first minute.

Good build-up play on the left ended with Charlie Carter firing at goal and Danny Newton tapping the ball home, but the offside flag went up on the far side to rule the effort out.

Boro looked the better of the two sides against their National League South opposition, but despite knocking the ball around nicely, they failed to create any clear cut chances.

Emmanuel Sonupe of Stevenage lays the ball off under pressure from Scott Shulton of St Albans during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Tom Bender went close for the Saints with a 25-yard drive that whizzed over Paul Farman's cross bar, and Joe Iaciofano then nearly gave the home side the lead as he curled just past the post.

Down the other end, Newton saw his close range effort cleared off the line after Stevenage broke with pace down the left thanks to a clever flick from Denton.

In a drab second-half which saw a number of changes, Kurtis Guthrie thought he'd put Boro in front with just 15 minutes left when he tapped home Andronicos Georgiou's cross, but again, the offside flag was up to rule it out.

St Albans thought they'd won it when Sam Merson broke clear and got his effort past Farman, but his shot rolled agonisingly wide of the post as the game end goalless.

Scott Cuthbert of Stevenage clears the ball during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Paul Farman of Stevenage see the ball curl wide during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Jack Smith of Stevenage shoots over the bar after a ball fell to him in the box during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Darren Foxley of St Albans is fouled by Danny Newton of Stevenage during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Scott Cuthbert of Stevenage challenges James Kaloczi of St Albans during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Paul Farman of Stevenage makes a save from a Sam Merson of St Albans flick during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Kurtis Guthrie of Stevenage celebrates before seeing the flag during St Albans City vs Stevenage, Friendly Match Football at Clarence Park on 13th July 2019 (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)