Kaan Fehmi double secures Premier Division Cup win on Monday

St Margaretsbury 0

Royston Town 2

Premier Division Cup Final

ROYSTON TOWN capped a superb season with more silverware on Monday to complete a remarkable treble.

This was a deserved win for Paul Attfield’s side who played the better football throughout and a goal in each half from Kaan Fehmi was more than enough on the day.

Having seen off Haringey, Hillingdon, Hertford and Tring Athletic in the previous rounds, it had been a tough competition for the Crows to get through but a large proportion of the 275-strong crowd went home happy with Royston achieving their second treble success in four years.

The opening 10 minutes were full of controversy with the referee having to deal with important instances. Inside four minutes Fehmi was played clean through on goal before being brought down by the last defender just outside the area. The award of just a yellow card was surprising but the punishment was more severe for The Bury as Fehmi picked himself up to curl a 20-yard effort into the bottom corner.

Moments later a rash challenge from Jason Beck in the centre circle caused more hysteria with the Royston centre-half also fortunate to see only yellow but his reaction to the opposition bench and supporters saw his early withdrawal by Attfield who brought Joe Clemo on to replace him inside 10 minutes.

The game settled down and continued with Royston in firm control and looking threatening with most ventures forward. The Bury back-line looked increasingly vulnerable to pace and pressure but Royston couldn’t quite make their attractive box-to-box play count with more goals.

Ryan Lockett had the best chance of the first half when he also ran through a static defence but his placed effort from 16 yards was turned wide by Harris in The Bury goal.

St Margaretsbury had their best period just before half-time when they exerted good pressure of their own. Playing a more direct game they caused the Town defence some nervy moments and one chance just before the interval was curled onto the crossbar with a last-ditch tackle from Jack Bradshaw thwarting the follow-up effort.

After the break Royston continued to dominate proceedings and they doubled their lead on 55 minutes. Tom Malins got behind the defence and, despite being clattered by the onrushing Harris, the ball ran free for Fehmi to tuck into the empty net from 18 yards.

This visibly knocked the fight out of the opposition with Royston continually looking to pick them off and create further chances. Luke Robins raced clear of the defence again after a good run but was denied by Harris, while Malins struck the crossbar from six yards following a good left side cross from Fehmi.

Fehmi had the chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot after being tripped in the box, but his tame effort was comfortably saved by Harris.

It mattered little, though, as the match had long since been over, and Royston soon got their hands on the Premier Division Cup.

Royston Town: Norris, Endacott, Bradshaw, McGrandles, Beck (Clemo), Collins, Edwards (Martin Standen), Malins, Fehmi (Matt Standen), Lockett, Robins.