Rickmansworth II 3 Royston II 3 NEW year, new faces, same story as Royston once again failed to register a consistent performance. The first half was a comedy of poor passing and bad positioning as Royston struggled to adopt a new defensive strategy de

Rickmansworth II 3 Royston II 3 NEW year, new faces, same story as Royston once again failed to register a consistent performance. The first half was a comedy of poor passing and bad positioning as Royston struggled to adopt a new defensive strategy developed by coach Malcolm Miller. Rickmansworth constantly probed and it was only through tenacious defending from the Royston back line, and some excellent shot stopping from keeper Robert Frost that they were not rewarded with a goal from open play. Meanwhile Royston's attack was not offered the support it needed despite fine performances from Leach and Watson. Rickmansworth finally opened the scoring from a short corner close to the end of the half. The second half looked like it was going to be a carbon copy of the first as Royston were quickly breached through some sloppy defending, but that proved to be the turning point for Royston as they finally began to settle into the match. A swiftly made goal, converted by Chris Watson, put Royston back in the running and they started to look like a complete team as Rickmansworth collapsed under their zonal press, giving the ball away again and again. The ball was made to work as Royston constantly switched the play from wing to wing, excellently pivoted by man-of-the-match Andy Alberts. Royston's second was deftly snapped up by Chris Leach from a rebounded short corner, and their third was soon in coming as Nick Broadley converted from another. A dubious decision presented Rickmansworth with a short corner with seconds left on the clock, which was converted after a goalmouth scramble. It was a bitter pill to swallow but Royston can be heartened from their performance and look like a team on the up. Royston 1 Rickmansworth 3 ROYSTON struggled in the first game of the New Year against a strong Rickmansworth side. The visitors were strong from the start, putting pressure on the Royston defence. The home team managed to push forward early on, but never looked like converting their chances. Rickmansworth took the lead after 20 minutes and it took two penalty saves from Chris Markham to prevent Royston falling further behind. Royston managed to redeem themselves when Malcolm Clark won a penalty for the home side and Andy Drage stepped up to fire it passed the Rickmansworth keeper. However, the hosts could not improve their performance in the second half, and the away team added two more goals.