FA Cup and league wins for Royston over Bank Holiday weekend

Barton Rovers 1

Royston Town 3

Southern League Central Division

ROYSTON TOWN continued their 100 per cent winning start to the season with a fine won over Barton Rovers on Bank Holiday Monday, meaning they currently sit top of the table.

In a game full of high commitment and high-tempo football, it was Royston who were progressively more constructive with the ball throughout the contest and were worthy winners by the full-time whistle. Luke Howard again deputised in goal for Will Norris who missed out through illness, while Kaan Fehmi returned to the starting line-up with Ryan Lockett from the team that started Saturday’s FA Cup win over Hanworth. Matt Standen and Rhys Lawrence dropped to the bench.

Everything was full of blood and thunder in the opening stages as tackles went in flying with both teams trying to get a stranglehold. Barton were better in the opening stages with their more direct approach but were unable to make the breakthrough.

But it was Royston who gradually got control of the game with some sharp football that encamped the hosts in their own half. Barton had not conceded a goal in three competitive games and that fact was there to be seen as Paul Attfield’s side struggled to complete fine approach play in the final third.

The second half started again with Barton on the offensive and an early shot from the edge of the area deflected past a stranded Howard but fortunately the post as well but once again Royston got into their stride and looked the most likely to push ahead.

The visiting pressure paid off in the 56th minute when Fehmi’s through-ball found Luke Robins who outpaced two defenders, rounded the goalkeeper before rolling the ball into the net.

Barton made changes pushing more players forward and the Crows began to lose some fluency in terms of ball possession. While the work-rate never dropped they were forced on the defensive and conceded from a free-kick with 15 minutes remaining. A far post delivery looked ineffective but Hall rose the highest and headed back across goal and into the far corner from the corner of the six yard box.

This set up an exciting finale but once again the Crows dug deep found their qualities again to snatch the win with two late goals. On 86 minutes a good move saw Wilson’s whipped cross deflect off a home defender and loop over the keeper into the far corner.

Matt Standen rounded off the win with a fine goal just before the end with a deft lob from 25 yards that sailed over the keeper into the net.

Daventry Town are up next for the Crows when they visit Garden Walk this Saturday.

Royston Town: Howard, Endacott, Wilson, DeLaSalle, Bradshaw, Collins, Edwards, Lockett (Malins), Fehmi (Matt Standen), Ingrey, Robins.

Hanworth Villa 1

Royston Town 2

FA Cup Preliminary Round

TWO second half goals handed Royston a win over Hanworth on Saturday, and a tie at Ryman Premier Division side Wingate & Finchley in the next round.

Royston started well on an excellent playing surface and should have been a few goals to the good by the midway point of the first half. In the first minute Lewis Endacott’s deflected cross found Matt Standen free at the far post and his close-range half-volley was somehow turned over by the keeper. Moments later Endacott played a one-two with Ryan Ingrey with his 20-yard strike beating the keeper all ends up but also the post by a fraction.

Gradually a momentum change occured amidst the start of torrential rainfull with the Crows gradually losing their way and Hanworth taking control. Howard had to race from his line to make a fine one-on-one block and he also was called on to make a stunning save from close-range following a left-wing cross and free shot.

The home side were able to make their pressure count four minutes before half time when Royston struggled to clear a ball from the right and the ball was cut back from the left by line for the unmarked King to side foot in from eight yards.

Hanworth stayed on top at the start of the second half and were twice again denied by Howard in goal. Like Royston earlier in the game, the home missed chances proved costly as the Crows got a penalty out of nothing in the 60th minute when Standen was tripped on the edge of the area after some neat skill, with Rhys Lawrence sending the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot.

A minute later Robins headed a corner inches wide but in the 64th minute Royston were in front when some good play down the left ended with Lee Wilson sending a sublime cross to the far post for Ingrey to head home from eight yards to seal the win.

Royston Town: Howard, Endacott, Wilson, DeLaSalle, Bradshaw, Collins, Edwards, Lawrence (Malins), Standen (Lockett), Ingrey, Robins (Bronti).