Cup run continues
Hatfield Town Res 2 Royston Town Res 3 WITH Royston's first team game being called off late doors, the reserves travelled to fierce rivals Hatfield with a very strong squad for their Challenge Trophy fourth round tie. From the outset Hatfield tried hard
Hatfield Town Res 2
Royston Town Res 3
WITH Royston's first team game being called off late doors, the reserves travelled to fierce rivals Hatfield with a very strong squad for their Challenge Trophy fourth round tie.
From the outset Hatfield tried hard to impose their intimidating style of play on the more controlled and skilful approach of the visitors, but they were unable to halt Royston's play and the visitors took a deserved lead.
Aaron Welch was the scorer, side-footing it down the middle after feigning a shot which had sent the home keeper to his left.
Royston's dominance was highlighted just before the break when the hard working Tom Malins played a slide rule pass for Ricky Young to run on to.
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Young showed great strength and tenacity to hold off two very harsh attempted tackles and fired under the advancing keeper to increase his team's lead.
Despite their dominance, Royston let their opponents back into the game just before half time when keeper Richard Barlow slipped and Hatfield's striker pounced to score.
The second half saw the home side begin to impose themselves on Royston, who needed all their wits about them to ride out a stormy start to the half, and the hosts eventually drew level when they broke from a Royston corner and, catching the back line with two-on-two finally managed to bundle the ball home.
But despite being pegged back, Royston were able to pull a winner out of a hat when an exceptionally deep corner was headed back across goal for Jamie Babbage to power home a torpedo-like headed goal.
The visitors where then pushed back into defensive mode by a strong Hatfield attack, but they showed a maturity beyond their years to stay ahead and progress to the next round.
Skipper Lewis Endacott praised his side's temperament, saying: "We came to do a job which we did well.
"We were aware that Hatfield's first team game had also been called off also so we knew things would be tough but our lads showed cool heads and hot feet.
