Narrow defeat on Tuesday evening

Red Insure Cup Round One

Biggleswade Town 1

Royston Town 0

THE CROWS were knocked out of the Red Insure Cup on Tuesday night against a strong Biggleswade Town side.

It was a tough defeat to take for the visitors who more than matched their opponents for large spells, but ultimately fell short by the solitary strike late in the first half.

Royston’s passing and movement were much improved and they continued to create chances on target but were denied a goal on several occasions by either the woodwork or fine goalkeeping by Biggleswade’s late replacement keeper, Michael McEntegart.

Biggleswade created the better chances early in the match but Royston had the ball in the net on eight minutes when Luke Robins headed home a Kaan Fehmi cross only to see a raised flag for offside.

Ryan Lockett found the side-netting following a Matt Standen pass and Standen himself hit the left-hand post with a fine snap shot. The pitch surface seemed slippery as players from both sides lost their footing but this didn’t seem to be the reason The Waders took the lead on 29 minutes. It was loss of possession from Robins in the Royston penalty area that allowed Craig Daniel to dart in and prod home a shot from close range.

The second half saw caretaker managers Duncan Easley and Martin Paine make several positive substitutions replacing more defensive players with attacking options and by the end of the match Russell Bull was partnered up front alongside Fehmi for the first time this season.

The Crows worked hard to break down the resilient and organised Biggleswade defence and on 57 minutes Fehmi got on the end of a Robins cross to produce another good save from McEntegart.

A penalty shout on the hour-mark following a foul on Taylor Parr was ignored and Ross Collins played on and crashed a superb 20-yard shot against the post. The Crows kept the pressure on the home goal all the way until the end but couldn’t find an equaliser to take the match to extra-time.

A lot of positives can be taken from this game after seeing several players return from injury and the pace and quality of the Royston play was much improved on their recent outings. Back to league action on Saturday with a home league match against Uxbridge, who recently beat the Crows in the FA Trophy.

Royston Town: Norris, Parr, Bradshaw, DeLaSalle (Bull), Collins (c), Edwards (Malins), Lockett (Endacott), Spencer, Standen, Robins, Fehmi.

Man of the Match: Jack Bradshaw

Attendance: 109