Barlow Sets Up Watford Semi

Tring Athletic 0 Royston Town Ladies 1

A HERTS County Cup semi-final encounter with Watford Ladies awaits Royston Town after an impressive victory on Sunday.

The Crows set up the exciting fixture after seeing off Tring Athletic, where Gemma Barlow's stunning volley was enough to see Royston through.

And the visitors got off to a slow start, with Tring mounting a series of lively attacks that kept the Royston defence under pressure.

But after squandering three good chances, the game began to turn in Royston's favour with an excellent move involving Clare Ratty and Marie Miller setting up a chance for Emma Chaffey to break the deadlock.

However, the defining moment came five minutes before the interval when Miller was called upon to make an outstanding last ditch tackle that denied Tring a clear chance on goal after keeper Amy Walker had already made one brilliant save.

In the second half Royston came out fighting and within minutes they began to dominate with Sharon Pinner creating chances for both Wendy Webster and Victoria Foulger.

And after a spell of possession, The Crows finally broke the deadlock when a corner from the right was cleared into the path of Chaffey, and after an intelligent pass into Gemma Barlow, the defender swivelled with her back to goal and hit home a splendid strike into the top corner of the net.

From then on it was all Royston, who would have increased their lead if not for some excellent work by the Tring goalkeeper.

Royston manager Kevin Foulger said: "I was very pleased with our second half performance and Gemma's goal was one of the best I have seen in a long while!"

Royston will host last year's winners Watford Ladies, who saw off Hitchin Hearts 9-0, on Sunday, February 17.