Barnard strike sets Colts on way

BSCFC U-15 1 Royston Town Colts 2

ROYSTON ground out a valuable victory in a tough encounter with a robust Stortford side on Sunday.

Connor Barnard opened the scoring for Colts with a fine low drive from 10 yards following a perfectly flighted cross from Adam Green on the right.

But although the visitors had the upper hand for much of the first-half, Stortford hit back.

Barnard appeared to be brought down just inside his own half but the referee waved play on.

With Colts momentarily distracted, the hosts swiftly pushed the ball into the Royston area, and following a melee, managed to fire over the line.

After the break Barnard went close with a couple of chances.

But Royston's breakthrough came midway through the period, when a long throw from Ricky Williams found Roger Skeggs at the far post and the midfielder capped a good afternoon's work with a neatly poached goal from close range.

Stortford pressed for a late equaliser but Royston's defence proved equal to the task, with Chris Wilkins and Richard Chapman producing a series of well-timed tackles to claim another three points for Colts.

Letchworth GCE Yellows 6 Baldock Templars U-11 2

DESPITE dominating much of the first-half, Baldock were unable to take advantage of their early domination.

The early exchanges saw Matthew Judges and player-of -the-match Alex Close pulling the strings in the middle of the park, and Mark Rogers running riot down the left.

However, against the run of play, the home side opened their account after Alex Turner had kept the Letchworth strikers at bay.

But five minutes later, Judges pulled the Templars level with a superbly struck free-kick.

Baldock then had several chances to take the lead, with two chances falling to Close, only for the midfielder to see his shots well saved.

In the second-half Letchworth came out more determined and rocked Baldock with two goals in the first 10 minutes.

And to make matters worse, Baldock then lost full-back Sam Kendle without any substitutes to replace him.

But the visitors kept their heads up and when Ryan Savage played Jordan Massey through to score it looked as if Baldock were back in the game.

However, the hope did not last long, with Letchworth taking advantage of their extra player to pull another goal ahead.

Letchworth continued to press forward and Baldock's defence stood firm, but as the home side's attacks grew so did Baldock's tiredness, and the dispirited defence shipped a further two goals with only minutes of the match remaining.

Royston Celtic U-9A 2 St Neots Town A 1

DETERMINED to improve on last week's defeat, Royston came out fighting, and created chances from the off.

Despite failing to capitalise on a number of opportunities, the Celtic attack kept their heads, and their efforts were rewarded when Lorcan George opened the deadlock with a well-taken strike.

Royston came out even more strongly in the second half, and a number of attacks and well-worked moves tested the visitors' defence.

And they increased their lead when Callum Pinner pulled away from his markers to crash home Royston's second.

The attacking trio of Pinner, George, and Brandon Hargreaves, received praise from their manager and despite St Neots scoring a late goal, it was a great day for the Celtic squad.

Royston Celtic B 1 St Neots Town B 0

IT was another strong, consistent performance from Royston, as their weekend showing against St Neots would suggest.

Matthew Cudmore and Matthew Foley put considerable pressure on the visitors' defence, and as a result of their hard graft, Foley tucked away the game's only goal, midway through the first-half.

Edward Atkins tested Town's keeper with a great strike moments into the second-half, but his shot produced an excellent save.

And at the other end, Celtic keeper Jack Mills proved he was more than a match for the opposing strikers, thwarting their efforts with a number of terrific saves.

Their clean sheet was further enhanced by defender Robbie Filby, who despite playing in unfamiliar surroundings kept the St Neots attack at bay with another assured performance.

Royston Town Colts A U-12 2 Baldock Town Crusaders 4

COLTS succumbed to their second consecutive home defeat of the season, with a disappointing display against Baldock.

Two goals down after the first 10 minutes, Colts went further behind midway through the half as they struggled to get to grips with a skilful Crusaders side.

However, Royston pulled together and a John Middlemiss close-range effort seemed to put the home side back on track.

The chance galvanised Colts into action, and Jake Benstead pulled one back with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box.

Colts maintained the pressure with a series of corners, with Harry Stafford and Ashley Chapman combining well to test the Baldock defence.

Just before the interval, a good ball from Sam Cooper released the play down the right and after Baldock failed to clear the resulting cross, McLean was on hand to steer the ball into the net.

After the break Colts battled hard to get back on terms, but were unable to regain their momentum, and eventually paid the price, with Crusaders nipping in to score a fine near-post header from a quick break down the right.

Colts never recovered from the blow.