GRIT and tenacity replaced Royston Town s free-flowing football on Tuesday night as Paul Attfield s young side overcame rivals Hoddesdon, writes Tom Brown. Two words that are not often used to describe this talented squad - which usually gets by with eff

GRIT and tenacity replaced Royston Town's free-flowing football on Tuesday night as Paul Attfield's young side overcame rivals Hoddesdon, writes Tom Brown.

Two words that are not often used to describe this talented squad - which usually gets by with effortless skill and attacking swagger. However, in seeing off Hoddesdon The Crows needed a whole lot more.

In fact it was the visitors, who finished third last season, that made the better start and showed why they will be one of Royston's potential promotion rivals. In dictating the early play, Hoddesdon did not give the hosts an inch as Royston struggled to settle.

And they were rewarded with a goal inside 10 minutes courtesy of a Lee Tombs close range strike.

The early goal seemed to breathe some much needed life into Town, with Craig Hammond warming up with a couple of testing strikes and right-winger Ricky Young growing in confidence.

On the opposite flank, Luke Robins also found his stride and it was his mazy run that led to The Crows' leveller after 35 minutes. Robins wriggled free and when his chipped pass found Hammond, the striker opened his season's account with a delightful lofted effort.

Tom Galvin then capped a strong finish to the half, ghosting on to another Robins pass with a coolly taken volley.

Starting the second half as they finished the first, Hammond then blasted home a third with a sensational over-head kick.

More goals looked likely as Hammond again went close, however the visitors refused to roll over and hit back through Kevin Metivier's low strike.

Late on, Young's pace and running became a welcome outlet for Town, while Emeka Nwamadi had a decent chance to draw level, but Allan Reid's timely intervention put paid to any real hope. In a nervy final five, Royston kept their composure and saw the game through in what was an impressive all round display.

Attfield said: "It was a pleasing win considering how we had to grind the result out - something we failed to do last season. Hoddesdon will be there or thereabouts come the end, so it was important for us to take the points.