Rickmansworth IV 4 Royston IV 3 DESPITE a lengthy break in play due to problems with the floodlights Royston controlled the first half of the game and were deservedly two goals up at half-time with the goals coming from Bob Biddlecombe and Craig McMurrou

Rickmansworth IV 4

Royston IV 3

DESPITE a lengthy break in play due to problems with the floodlights Royston controlled the first half of the game and were deservedly two goals up at half-time with the goals coming from Bob Biddlecombe and Craig McMurrough.

Considering the slippery surface and poor line markings Royston played some excellent attacking hockey particularly down both wings.

Midway through the second half a good solo goal by the opposition centre forward brought Rickmansworth back into the game.

Although the home side pressurised the Royston defence for much of the second half they were unable to break through in open play all their goals came directly from short corners.

Royston scored their third goal to go 3-2 up through Carl Taylor and were very unlucky to have a fourth goal disallowed as Taylor again finished from the left. This incident proved to be the turning point of the game.

This game will have provided valuable development experience for what is a young Royston side as "Ricky" scored two late goals to snatch the points.

Both Taylor and Joshua Jamieson, making his debut, played particularly well.

Berkhamsted IV 0

Royston III 0

ROYSTON travelled to Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire for an early morning game and came away frustrated, confused and angry not to have won.

They spent the whole of the first half camped inside the home teams half, patiently playing the ball around their defence.

The home keeper was man of the match for save after save from open play, for stopping eight short corners and even a penalty flick put in low by Steve Welding, after a defender's foot had deliberately stopped a certain goal.

Royston tried every trick they could and played probably their best hockey this season.

However, the question has to again be asked about the team's capability to finish off set pieces and to improve their short corner routine, which up to now has served them well.

Both Paul Bloomfield and Michael Welding bringing the best out of the keeper, and Colin Bateman almost picking off a changed routine just missing on the keeper's left.

With the visitors having no substitutes, the shape of the game could not be changed, but everyone believed the second half would bring the rewards the first half play had offered.

However the second half was a totally different situation with Royston not controlling the game, with mistake after mistake creeping into the game.

Berko' brought on two substitutes and both made an impact pressing hard into the tackle and forcing errors from a tiring Royston.

The ball was given away cheaply; players ran into tackles and lost possession. It was only a question of whether Berkhamsted would get a break away goal.

However captain and man-of-the match Dan Taylor led by example and picked off every attack, and if it did get through Gary Pinner back again in goal was able to clear with ease.

Royton still had chances, and gained a further four short corners, but it was not to be.