SAWBRIDGEWORTH 4 (D McAteer 2, D Crook, C Dorian) ROYSTON TOWN 1 (L Revell) PHIL Snowden s first competitive game ended in disappointment as the Crows were knocked out of the Herts Charity Shield at the first hurdle, on Tuesday. The home side scored all

SAWBRIDGEWORTH 4

(D McAteer 2, D Crook, C Dorian)

ROYSTON TOWN 1

(L Revell)

PHIL Snowden's first competitive game ended in disappointment as the Crows were knocked out of the Herts Charity Shield at the first hurdle, on Tuesday.

The home side scored all four goals during the opening 45 minutes to wrap up a comfortable win.

It took only six minutes for the home side to take the lead when a ball from the right was met by Dan Crook, who slipped the ball under debut-making keeper Nick Wilson.

The visitors failed to keep any control in midfield, with Sawbo's quick attacks causing problems in their defence.

The Robins doubled their lead on the half-hour when Dean McAteer curled home a free-kick.

Within a minute it was 3-0 when McAteer latched on to a long ball and Wilson before knocking the ball into an empty net.

The Crows managed their first corner in the 37th minute, but it was Essex Senior League Sawbo who looked the more likely to score, with Tony Smith firing wide and Mark Watters heading over.

The win was effectively sealed a minute before the break when Chris Dorian hit a screamer from the right wing which nestled in the far left corner, leaving former Cambridge City keeper Wilson rooted to the spot.

Kojo Oforoi did manage the Crows' first worthwhile attempt on goal with a long-range effort that flashed just wide of the far post.

That sparked a revival for the visitors after the break, but that owed as much to Sawbridgeworth being content to sit on their comfortable lead, although McAteer and Watters threatened in the opening five minutes of the half.

New Crows signing James Lavell went close midway through the half following a good move, and the visitors managed to pull a goal back with 13 minutes remaining when Laurence Revell headed a free-kick home at the far post after Pete Chappell had been fouled on the edge of the box.

By then, though it was too little too late, and Snowden will be left with plenty to ponder before they face Harwich & Parkeston in the FA Cup on August 19.

Royston: N Wilson, P Chappell (M Saunders), C Geldart (D McMurrough), S Snowden, A Reid, L Revell, K Oforoi, C Edwards, J Levell, L Rogers, R Cannon (J Nash). Unused subs: J Moule, R Anton, R Jones.

- The Crows let a two-goal lead slip as they were held to a 2-2 draw at St Ives, on Saturday.

Phil Snowden's side started strongly against the United Counties League side, and rushed into a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes thanks to goals from Dave McMurrough and Carl Edwards.

However, James Clark reduced their lead midway through the first half and Anton D'Avilar levelled shortly before the break.

- Royston round off their pre-season campaign on Tuesday evening when they host Essex Intermediate League side Bishop's Stortford Swifts.