Crow League

Royston Town Youth Colts U11s eventually overcame a resilient Bishop’s Stortford Athletic 3-1 to earn a hard-fought win.

In a sometimes scrappy first half skipper Callum Toovey’s midfield work rate was exceptional and all the Colts’ efforts in midfield, notably from Matt Bailey and Tom Turner, kept the pressure on.

The scoring was opened with winger Jack Hallewell expertly finishing a good team move up the middle and Bruce Barnes got the Colts’ second, adding to his tremendous goals per game ratio, with a trademark poacher’s finish following some slick footwork by Keiran Blois.

The entire Royston defensive line up of Brad Whale, Tom Fox, Jamie Penn, Jamie Copeland and Joe Burn were superb throughout this match and together with a fine first half performance from ‘keeper Rory Hunter kept the Stortford strikers out.

In the second half, Burn continued his brilliant Man of the Match performance by not letting the tricky Athletic winger have any time on the ball. Striker Michael Baulk got the Colt’s third with a good solo run and finish, following some strong play by Lewis Anderson and Charlie Catton, in goal for the second half, made an unbelievable save parrying a point blank shot onto the post and away. Stortford got a consolation goal following a well hit long distance strike but the Royston boys stood tall to the end.