Royston 4Broxbourne 1 A STRONG performance by Royston saw them claim another victory and rise to the top of Division 3SW. After starting slowly in previous matches Royston set out with intent and with less than a minute on the clock saw their first shot s

Royston 4Broxbourne 1

A STRONG performance by Royston saw them claim another victory and rise to the top of Division 3SW.

After starting slowly in previous matches Royston set out with intent and with less than a minute on the clock saw their first shot strike the post.

In control of the opening exchanges the hosts created many chances but lacked the finishing touch, and it came as a surprise to everyone when Broxbourne combined well to fire home the opener.

The away side began to play with greater buoyancy as the game became evenly fought but Royston always looked the most threatening going forward.

If it wasn't for the excellent Broxbourne keeper, Royston would have scored much earlier but they did eventually find the net from a short corner finished by Nick Ross.

After raising their game, the Crows once again took hold of proceedings and they went into half time with the lead after Owen Russell slotted in an excellent team goal.

After the restart the hosts continued to press Broxbourne, who held little attacking threat, and they soon entered their best spell of the match.

They extended their advantage through another Ross short corner and the Crows scored a fourth when yet another penalty corner found Andy Drage, who struck from a tight angle.

Royston now enter the lengthy Christmas break but with the possibility of promotion looming they will hope to bring their form to the next league match at home to Bedford in January.

Royston II 6 Southgate Adelaide II 0

ROYSTON produced a performance which typified their season to go into the Christmas break top of the league.

The first half saw them start well with quick movement of the ball around the back and probing runs down both wings, but they were equally matched by a dogged Adelaide defence which forced Royston's attackers into unpromising positions.

Adelaide made some fast counter attacks down the middle of the pitch but Royston were equal to them and the match became well balanced between the two sides.

As the half progressed Royston began to make better use of their attacks and Mike Hill made the breakthrough when he scored for the second week running with a lob over the keeper.

He quickly doubled his tally as he bundled the ball into the goal from a Mark Jacobs' cross.

Matt Allsopp made it three shortly after and Royston could have finished the game off but they failed to keep the pressure up and as the half ended frustration got the better of Royston as they started to argue amongst themselves and give possession away too easily.

The Crows switched to a more defensive formation in the second half and in addition with calmer temperaments they controlled the second period much better than the first.

They attacked in more numbers and looked much more threatening in the final quarter of the pitch, and their pressure told with a series of penalty corners.

Nick Broadley made it four from a well-rehearsed move, and Nick Freeman slotted home from another.

Man of the match Stephen Priest and Perry Noble looked strong down the right and were unlucky not to set up more goals but their persistence paid off with another string of penalty corners, one of which was converted by Broadley who rounded off the day's scoring.