Town bounce back with a win over Tring Athletic in Premier Division Cup semi-final

Royston Town 1

Tring Athletic 0

Premier Division Cup Semi-Final

JACK BRADSHAW’S deflected strike five minutes from time sent the Crows into the final of the Premier Division Cup after a narrow win over Tring on Tuesday.

They will face either St Margaretsbury or promotion-rivals Dunstable Town in the final in May.

There were changes from Saturday’s 5-2 home defeat to Dunstable Town with Jason Beck, Lewis Endacott and Tom Malins all missing through illness and injury but Ryan Lockett and Luke Robins both returned with places on the bench.

The first half saw Royston have lots of possession but lacking any penetration in open play and as a result few chances were created. Their best chances came from set-plays with both Martin Standen and John McGrandles heading over and Kaan Fehmi firing a 25-yard free-kick over as well.

At the other end Royston were mostly untroubled with Will Norris not called upon to make any saves and the half remained goalless.

Unfortunately the second half continued in the same vain with few opportunities created until midway through the half when Tring were awarded a penalty for a clear foul in the area. However Norris dived full length to tip the ball around the post to keep the scores level, and it wasn’t to be his last involvement as the 18-year-old ‘keeper needed to be at his best to deny the visitors with fine saves on two further occasions as his team struggled to get a foothold in the game.

Six bookings were issued by a picky referee in the game with no poor challenges ever witnessed and a second yellow for a Tring player for a foul saw the visitors reduced to 10 men.

With the game seemingly heading for extra time, Royston got what proved to be the winner in the 85th minute when Bradshaw picked up a loose ball 25 yards out with his shot striking a defender and looping over the head of the wrong-footed ‘keeper.

The Crows suddenly came to life and could have added to their tally. Luke Robins had a fine 18-yard half-volley tipped aside at full stretch by the ‘keeper and a Robins cross was headed wide by a well-placed Ricky Young moments from the end.

Royston Town: Norris, Clemo, A Fehmi, McGrandles, Bradshaw, Martin Standen, Edwards, Young, Matt Standen (Lockett), K Fehmi (Collins), Lawrence (Robins).