Stevenage 3 Royston 4 A QUARTET of second half goals saw Royston successfully defeat in-form Stevenage side on Saturday. The hosts began the game strongly by moving the ball better than Royston, who in the initial stages lacked control when in possession,

Stevenage 3 Royston 4

A QUARTET of second half goals saw Royston successfully defeat in-form Stevenage side on Saturday.

The hosts began the game strongly by moving the ball better than Royston, who in the initial stages lacked control when in possession, and managed to take the lead when a well struck shot sailed squeezed in past Chris Markham at his near post.

As the half went on the Crows grew in confidence and they began to control proceedings.

Although on top the visitors failed to capitalise on their good possession and went into the break a goal behind.

After some stern words, Royston restarted the match fired up and with their first attack saw Nick Hurd ride several tackles before equalising with a fierce strike at goal.

Shortly afterwards they took the lead when a short corner was played to captain Andy Drage who netted from close range.

In response, Stevenage came back with great purpose and levelled the scores after some poor Royston defending.

The match had developed into an end to end battle in which both keepers were kept busy and the advantage was restored in Royston's favour when a scrappy short corner again found Drage who hit home his second of the game.

Defending a lead had been one of Royston's strong points coming into the match, but another uncharacteristic lapse in concentration once again cost them when Stevenage scored.

After getting their third goal, the home team seemingly sat back and gave their opponents the chance to push on for a winner.

The pressing paid off late on in the game when Nick Ross fired in from a penalty corner.

Royston III 3 Blueharts V 0

ROYSTON faced bottom of the league side Blueharts with a much-changed side on a cold and foggy afternoon.

The first half of the game was evenly contested with both sides having chances and Craig Jackson making some good saves for Royston, but the Crows took the lead when a short corner was pushed by Richard Huby and finished from close range by Keith Markham.

Royston started the second half the better side and when Mike Hill was released down the right wing he delivered a ball to Richard Huby who flicked it into the far side netting in one motion.

The game was eventually finished off when a great ball from Tim Yow to Kieth Markham sent him towards the opposing keeper who he drew out, slipping the ball to man of the match Hill to slot home.

Royston IV 1 Shefford and Sandy III 2

ROYSTON'S fourth team suffered only their second league defeat of the season against a local enemy they would have expected to beat.

Sitting second in the NE14 Hockey East League Div 7SW before the start of the game, they have now dropped to joint fourth place although a goal difference of plus 15 favours the Crows.

Royston were without key players for their game against Shefford and found themselves 2-0 down by half time with both of their opponents' goals coming from penalty corners.

They pulled a goal back in the second half when Paul Bloomfield converted a penalty corner, but on the field the depleted squad lacked the guidance and creativity normally associated with the team.

Royston V 0 Potters Bar III 3

YET another loss for Royston's fifth team leaves them languishing at the bottom of the table.

The Crows struggled to get the ball into the opposition's D and countless chances from the attacking Potters Bar saw Royston's goal being bombarded which inevitably led to three goals being conceded, although the sterling goalkeeping efforts of Chris Berry kept the score respectable.