Castle issues rallying cry

9:27am Friday 18th April 2008

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City boss Steve Castle has urged the St Albans public to turn out in their droves for his Saints side's two remaining home games as the battle to avoid relegation from the Blue Square South reaches a nail-biting climax.

Saturday's agonising 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Bognor Regis Town saw City slide two places to 19th, a point above the relegation zone with just three matches to play.

Promotion-chasing Eastleigh visit Clarence Park on Saturday before the Saints travel to Maidenhead on Tuesday night.

Depending on results, the battle to avoid the drop could be decided on the final game of the season the following Saturday where City host Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Now Saints boss Castle has made an impassioned plea for fans to flock to Clarence Park this Saturday and the next to aid his side's fight for survival.

"We just want everyone to get behind the club and the team," said the manager. "Supporters have been coming back in drips and drabs but we need as good a support as possible to get behind the players at this time of the season.

"We don't want any negative vibes as it's important we stay in this league and the St Albans public can play a big part in that. We've got some players that really rise to the occasion in the big games and a big, vocal crowd can lift us. Even the match officials can be affected by a big crowd.

"All the teams down the bottom are fighting tooth and nail and there is still going to be plenty of drama to come. Maximum points from our three remaining games will virtually assure us safety."