Bloss helps Crows to win at Harpenden

Harpenden Reserves 1 Royston Town Res 3 ROYSTON Town Reserves yet again changed their line-up ahead of their trip to Harpenden at the weekend. With two senior players withdrawing from the team late on, Ben Cooper and Sam Bowles were drafted in from the A

Harpenden Reserves 1 Royston Town Res 3

ROYSTON Town Reserves yet again changed their line-up ahead of their trip to Harpenden at the weekend.

With two senior players withdrawing from the team late on, Ben Cooper and Sam Bowles were drafted in from the A team and both showed their worth with strong performances.

It was from a Cooper corner that Town took the lead when Stuart Dallaway rose highest to power a header home and the lead was quickly doubled when Stuart Jackson crept in at the back post to fire home a Dan Scotts slide rule pass.

Newly appointed skipper Richard Barlow had little to do in the opening period but inspire his side and with Dean Chaffey and Michael Bloss winning the aerial battle it was only a matter of time before Royston got a third.

Bloss it was who started the move off when he won a header from deep and carried his run into the Harpenden box, and the ball went from Bloss to James Meridith and Dallaway before Bloss slid home to complete the best move of the day.

Several chances in the second half were created but not converted as Royston failed to match their first half efforts and the hosts even pulled a goal back but little could dampen the day for the Crows.

Speaking about his team's performance, Barlow said: "This was a massive win for us. The gaffer's called for more effort and the guys responded well."

The main challenge now for the Crows is the need to maintain this new found optimism.