Royston Town 4 Harpenden Town 0 THE Crows started the New Year with their sixth straight victory with an impressive 4-0 win over Harpenden Town. And the hosts took the lead after just nine minutes when Matt Turl s cross was headed in by a Harpenden def

Royston Town 4 Harpenden Town 0

THE Crows started the New Year with their sixth straight victory with an impressive 4-0 win over Harpenden Town.

And the hosts took the lead after just nine minutes when Matt Turl's cross was headed in by a Harpenden defender after some pressure from Tom Malins.

The lead was then doubled six minutes later when Malins whipped in a free-kick for captain Allan Reid to head home from 10 yards.

Despite seeing more of the ball, Harpenden rarely troubled Damion Williamson and as a result Royston went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

The Crows returned after the break with a better tempo to their game and after some progressive play began to create a number of chances.

Leading goal scorer Craig Hammond brought an excellent diving save from the Harpenden keeper before Luke Robbins dinked the ball just wide when he was put through.

Manager Paul Attfield then replaced Hammond and Carl Edwards with Graham Tibbals and Will Turl on the hour mark in a move that was immediately rewarded when both players netted within just four minutes.

Will Turl scored with his first touch, lobbing the ball over the stranded Harpenden keeper, before Tibbals blasted home from close range, following Will Turl's flick on.

Further chances fell to the hosts with Robbins slamming a 25 yard free kick against the post, while Matt Turl had a clear penalty disallowed when he was brought down in the visitor's box.

Attfield said: "For long periods we were very flat, but I was expecting that after the two week Christmas lay off. I thought we showed a bit more passion and vibrancy in the second half and the game opened up a bit more for us. The result was pleasing considering we were not at our best - albeit a little flattering maybe!