BILLY Roast says he believes the recent enforced break will have worked to Concord Rangers’ advantage.

The Beach Boys have not played a competitive fixture in the last three weeks due to a combination of rain and snow.

A run of three consecutive defeats, in which Concord failed to score a single goal, had preceded the hiatus.

But central defender Roast, 22, believes Concord are now in a good space to be able to continue their National League South survival bid against St Albans City tomorrow.

“I have found it very frustrating,” admitted Roast, who reached the Isthmian North play-off final with Maldon & Tiptree last season.

“We had lost a few games in a row and we wanted to get back onto the pitch and get some results. The weather we have had means we have not been able to do that, but we have had a chance to get ourselves together.

“And I think that it has come at a good time for us.

“We played Aveley in a friendly this week to get rid of some of the cobwebs and I think it was a good decision by the manager [Adam Flanagan]. Training is good but it isn’t the same as games.”

Concord sit in 19th position, just three points above the relegation places albeit with games in hand on all the sides around them. On the other hand, St Albans can climb as high as fourth in the division with victory at the Aspect Arena.

And despite the Saints’ lofty position, Roast is confident Concord can secure three points.

“Anyone can beat anyone, we know this,” he said. “We can both win this game and we have held our own against the best teams in the league this year.

“St Albans are talented but we need to approach it like any other game. We have been good at home and not many teams have beaten us on our turf this season.

“We still have games in hand on the teams above and we need to put the performances in and we believe in ourselves.

“Things can change very quickly and we believe they will turn in our favour.”

------------------------------------

THE PREVIEW: Concord Rangers must adapt quickly following a three week break when promotion hopefuls St Albans City visit tomorrow.

The Beach Boys have not played since February 24, when they were beaten 2-0 at home by Welling United.

A 7-3 friendly win against Aveley on Tuesday would have cleared some of the cobwebs but they remain underdogs against the Hertfordshire outfit.

After going through a purple patch, St Albans have been beaten in three of their last four clashes.

However, they remain sixth in the standings and are one of the favourites for a top seven berth come the end of term.

Concord won a thrilling encounter at the Aspect Arena last year, with former loanee Dion Sembie-Ferris on target twice.

MEN TO WATCH: Sam Merson - son of former England midfielder Paul - Zane Banton and Rhys Murrell-Williamson have more than 40 goals between them this season.

WHEN & WHERE: Tomorrow, 3pm at the Aspect Arena, Thames Road, Canvey Island, SS8 0HH.

WHAT THE BOSS SAID: “Tomorrow will be a tough fixture as I believe St Albans are one of the best teams we have played in the league this season,” said manager Adam Flanagan. “They are very dangerous going forward and have experience in the right areas so I am not surprised that they are having a good season.

“If we can make more chances than St Albans and limit them to only a few then we will put ourselves in with a good chance of getting a positive outcome from the fixture.”