St Aldhelms' Ryan wrecks Stoke Lane's hopes
The opening stages produced a scrappy midfield battle in which neither team could get control of the ball, and anything aerial was picked up by the wind and blown off course. As a result, both sides struggled to play decent football and neither managed to create an attacking opportunity of any note.
The first chance eventually fell to Lane's Muhammed Njie, who picked up a loose pass in the Saints defence before speeding around his marker and unleashing a powerful shot, which was superbly tipped on to a post by Harry Swann.
St Aldhelms started to threaten more as the half wore on through Mitch Hathway, Jason Radnedge, Ryan Metcalf and Sam Coles. However the Stoke defence, led by the excellent Jordan Webb, stayed strong.
Saints' first opportunity came when Nicholls took the ball down the wing and cut inside, but his touch was too heavy and Jack Smith came charging across to intercept.
A swift break by Lane saw Njie race past his marker, Sam White, before cutting inside and cracking in a shot with his weaker left foot which thumped against a post.
Lane kept pressing and George Binding played a lovely lofted pass out to the left wing, where winger Lewis Wentland nodded the ball on to Njie, but his poked attempt was feeble and straight at the thankful Swann.
Nije was back in the action moments later, popping the ball over the Saints defence for strike partner Josh Jassal to latch on to, but, under pressure from Saints' captain Kyran Amesbury, he shot into the side-netting.
Lane were starting to get on top as they built up some momentum and Joe Dalby whipped in a dangerous cross from the right which was just too far in front of Wentland and Njie.
At this stage, Stoke Lane were well on top, with Dan McKimm and Sam Finn winning the battle in midfield against Saints' Robert Monks and Nicholls.
But the match turned five minutes into the second half when Saints grabbed the crucial goal. Ryan Metcalf's initial shot was blocked but the rebound fell to Nicholls, who was unmarked eight yards out, and he had plenty of time to pick his spot and fire it past the helpless James Wright.
The visitors responded well as Njie picked up the ball before playing a neat one-two with Finn and crossing for McKimm, who touched it inside his man but fired over the bar from the edge of the box.
McKimm then picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch and dinked it over Saints' defence for the marauding Njie, who took one touch before hitting a shot from the edge of the area wide of the far post.
Njie kept the Saints defenders on their toes and had a string of chances to pull his team level but he just could not get his finishing touch right.
Saints almost doubled their advantage when Radnedge stepped inside his marker only to see his shot well saved by the diving Wright.
Hathway also had a chance to grab a second goal for Saints when he burst through on goal, but some great last-ditch defending from the dependable Webb prevented him from adding to his team's lead.
Njie almost grabbed a late equaliser for Lane when a cross was flicked on by team-mate Josh Jassal but, once again, his attempt was not accurate enough and sailed over the bar.
St Albans: Harry Swann, Kyran Amesbury, Luke Buffery, Jake Belgium, Mitch Hathway, Ryan Nicholls, Robert Monks, Jason Radnedge, Ryan Metcalf, Sam Coles, Sam White.
Stoke Lane: James Wright, Matt Sullivan, Joe Dalby, Jack Smith, Jordan Webb, Muhammed Njie, Lewis Wentland, Vishaal Misra, Dan McKimm, Josh Jassal, George Binding, Sam Finn.
Star Man: Jordan Webb (Stoke Lane Athletic): Produced a solid defensive performance, showing strength and determination, while also playing some good football.
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