St Albans City boss David Howell admits his team are a completely different proposition from 12 months ago after they thrashed Ashford Town (Middx) in the FA Cup.

The Saints were dumped out of the competition by East Thurrock United just under a year ago but a comprehensive 6-2 win at Ashford on Saturday sealed their fifth consecutive victory.

Howell said: “It’s a good day for St Albans City because if you go back to this time last year we were a bit in the wilderness after being knocked out of the cup. It just shows the journey we have come on since that dark night. We’re a completely different prospect and a completely different side and it was clear for everyone to see.”

The Saints opened the scoring after seven minutes when Sean Shields fired into the net but, almost immediately, Ashford grabbed an equaliser.

St Albans regained the lead midway through the half against the run of play. Shields took one touch before converting his second of the game. The outstanding performer completed a 22-minute hat-trick shortly afterwards with a crisp, low strike. It was the Saints’ first individual treble in the competition for 13 years.

Micah Hyde converted a penalty which gave the visitors a 4-1 lead at the break. Simon Martin added the fifth on his first start of the season and Chris Henry's lob completed the scoring for the Saints.

St Albans’ reward is a home game in the next round against Lowestoft Town on Saturday, October 6.

Howell said: “The last game Sean was mesmerising but there was no end product. It’s all very well twisting people and turning people inside out but he proved everyone wrong and shut everybody up with a tremendous opening half hour performance where his end product was excellent.

“In the early part of the game Sean did everything to keep us in the game, whereas defensively and around the pitch we were doing everything to make sure we lost the game.

“But we got over that and Sean set the tone and the lads responded really well. Our finishing was good and I'm just happy we got ourselves in the draw for the next round.”

The Saints entertain Arlesey Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy this weekend and Howell is anticipating a test from the Ryman Premier promotion contenders.

The manager said: “I went to see Arlesey play Hemel and I was very impressed with them. They've put together a very strong side and they actually mean business.

“They want to be at the top end of the league at the end of the season. They've brought in a very strong defender, a striker and half a dozen other players. They've fitted in and blended well and I was very impressed with them. It will be a good game at our place.

“I won't sacrifice anything [competition]. I can’t determine what we're going to win or lose. We put out a side to do the best we can and I set the lads a target of winning two league games and they did. Once we turn back to the league I would like to know that we’re still in two major cup competitions.”