Gallery: Saints secure promotion to Conference South

ST ALBANS City can look forward to Conference League football next season after out-playing Chesham United 3-1 in the final of the Southern League Premier Division Play-offs today.

Former Chesham players John Frendo and Steve Wales scored the goals after the hosts had taken a fifth minute lead through James Potten.

Co manager Graham Golds said: "I can't describe it, it's crazy. At the beginning of the season promotion was our aim. In between that we had good runs in The FA Cup and The Trophy but nothing was going to take the place of promotion.

"Gaining that today and putting the club back where it should be is great. I can't describe the feeling. The scenes are crazy."

Saints hadn't actually beaten Chesham in the regular season, but goals from Frendo and Wales gave then a 2-1 interval lead before Frendo wrapped it up after the break.

Golds said: "Chesham were one of the sides we hadn't beaten since taking over the team but to get one over on them and to do it here, I'm not going to lie, it was great.

"We said when we signed Steve Wales can you imagine if we play Chesham in the final and he scores the winner?

"In a way it was the winner so it was like a dream come true. We needed a goal scoring midfielder and that's his fifth so it's paid dividends.

"Chris Watters made one as well and those lads that came over to us will be as chuffed as anyone.

"I'm over the moon. And the fans didn't stop singing. It was brilliant, the same as Cambridge. But there were more here today and I don't know what the official attendance was but we had more than half. They were absolutely amazing."

Saints will now spend the summer planning for Conference League football.

Golds said: "Because we are going up a league we will have to add a few new additions to the squad, but that's something we will discuss later."