Report from GARDEN WALK ROYSTON TOWN 2 (J McMurrough 2) LONDON COLNEY 1 (D Craft) JEZ McMurrough was on target twice as the Crows recorded their second straight Spartan South Midlands League victory. With Colney arriving at Garden Walk lying fourth in th

Report from GARDEN WALK

ROYSTON TOWN 2 (J McMurrough 2)

LONDON COLNEY 1 (D Craft)

JEZ McMurrough was on target twice as the Crows recorded their second straight Spartan South Midlands League victory.

With Colney arriving at Garden Walk lying fourth in the table, it was arguably the most impressive of Royston's five league victories this season.

Perhaps more importantly for Phil Snowden's side, it lifts them up to 17th in the table and sees them move seven points clear of the danger zone.

Jez McMurrough and Ryan Cannon both had early efforts as the home team shaded the opening exchanges.

The Crows took the lead seven minutes before the break when McMurrough combined well with his brother Dave, with the latter drawing a defender out of position to allow Jez to fire past the keeper.

The home side doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Allan Reid's blocked shot fell to McMurrough who produced a perfect finish to blast the ball past the keeper.

Colney reduced the arrears in the 65th minute when Stuart Snowden was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, and Craft converted the resulting penalty.

Colney, who had hammered the Crows 7-1 in their opening league game of the seaon, pushed forward as they looked for an equaliser, but the hosts held on a precious point, and McMurough was unlucky not to complete his hat-trick when Lee Bates just missed picking him out with a cross as he stood unmarked.

"It was another good performance" said club chairman Graham Phillips. "We picked up where we left off against Broxbourne, and played very well."

On Saturday Royston travel to league newcomes Chalfont St Peter. The Berkshire side transferred from the now-defunct Ryman League Division Two last season, and currently occupy a mid-table position.

The Crows will be without goalkeeper Chris Chambers and defender Danny Miles after their dismissals against Biggleswade United at the start of November.

Royston: C Chambers, P Chappell, S Brown, S Snowden, R Cannon, A Reid, C Edwards, L Rogers, D McMurrough (L Bates), J McMurrough, M Bloss (C Geldart).

Brimsdown Rovers Reserves 2 Royston Town Reserves 1

A LACKLUSTRE performance void of any sort of commitment saw Royston gift the home side the points in this disappointing affair.

Never at their best, the visitors matched Brimsdown for much of the first half, but always looked a little uneasy dealing with the directness of the home side attackers.

The loss of Ben Bowles early in the game saw Royston have to reshape early in the match for the second week running, this upset the side and the visitors were lucky to be all square at the break.

In the second half Royston become ever more frustrated, this then saw them become more interested in disagreeing with the referee rather than winning this game.

Brimsdown took the lead slightly fortunately with a cross that found the far top corner, before getting the second with a good finish with Royston being guilty of not shutting the ball down quickly enough on both occasions.

The match was effectively finished for the visitors, with the dismissal of both Bradley Jackson and Tyrone Parry by an over zealous official, adding to a miserable afternoon.

Royston: R Jones, A Stodhart, T Parry, B Bowles, B Jackson, K Butler, J McCormack, D Miles, L Revell, A Stokes, C Parry, E Lowden, S Bowles, T Parry.