Crows run brought to a halt

Arlesey Athletic 2 Royston Town 1

ROYSTON Town's unbeaten run came to a disappointing end on Saturday in a ­lacklustre game.

On the back of three straight wins, Phil Snowden's side should have been ­brimming with confidence, especially after their FA Vase victory over Bedfont.

However, after seeing off the Combined Counties team, the Crows came crashing back down to earth with their fourth league defeat of the season.

Snowden said "They seemed to have only one tactic and that was just ­smashing the ball forward.

"Our players spent half the game ­watching the ball fly over their heads.

"Both teams never looked like they wanted to win and it was disappointing to see."

Losing Michael Baker after just five ­minutes with a groin injury, Royston's ­misery worsened minutes later when Arlesey's Wayne Blows smashed home from close range, after a slip by David Daniels.

Peter Chappell almost equalised after some good work from debutant Max ­Margiotta, before last week's goal hero Graham ­Tibbals snatched at another opportunity.

However, Royston should have drawn level when Greg Jackson's clear strike cannoned off a grounded Arlesey defender.

After the re-start it was much of the same, as Royston struggled to get a hold of the game while the hosts continued to thump balls forward.

But it was a tactic that was to prove ­effective when captain Stuart Snowden's free-kick was hammered clear by the Arlesey backline. Falling to Chappell on the half-way line, the defender ­unfortunately decided to take a touch which cruelly fell into the path of the ­on-running Adam ­Furness, who raced through to leave James Scott with little chance with 15 minutes left.

Royston pulled one back when Tibbals crossed for youngster Nathan Davenport to slot home.

Then Tibbals hit the bar and ­Snowden had an effort scrambled off the line.

Royston Town: Scott; Chappell, Baker, Daniels, Geldart; Edwards, Snowden, Julu, Margiotta; Tibbals, Jackson. (Subs); Bloss, Davenport, Hayden.