Shefford Saints U-12 2 Royston Town Colts A 2 COLTS produced another inspired performance away to runaway league leaders, Shefford Saints, and can count themselves a little unlucky not to have taken all three points from this hard fought encounter.

Shefford Saints U-12 2 Royston Town Colts A 2

COLTS produced another inspired performance away to runaway league leaders, Shefford Saints, and can count themselves a little unlucky not to have taken all three points from this hard fought encounter.

Royston started well, Max McLean scoring direct from a corner after good work from Conor Saggers.

Saggers nearly made it two with a fierce drive that forced a good save from Saints' keeper.

Saints then equalised, scoring from a rebound after good play on Colts' right. Saggers then responded in kind, bursting through Saints defence and netting the rebound from his own well-struck shot.

Saints struggled to find their rhythm as Colts controlled the midfield and remained resolute in defence Sam Cooper, in particular making a number of vital interceptions.

In the second half, Saints rallied, keeper John Middlemass saving well on several occasions.

The hosts then hit the bar for the second time from a dubious free-kick before finally drawing level with a well-timed header from a corner on the right.

Colts came back with Jack Bailey winning a series of corners and Jake Benstead setting up another chance for Saggers who shot just wide.

Further chances followed for both sides to take all three points but the match ended all-square.

Royston Town Colts U-14 A 2 Bennington Youth 6

THE Royston goal was under siege for much of the first half as Division One side Bennington showed their class in this county cup match.

For 20 minutes Royston managed to keep the visitors at bay with some dogged defending and fine goalkeeping, but in the end it was a fairly soft goal with which Bennington broke the deadlock.

They then added three more in quick succession before the Bennington keeper was adjudged to have brought down Jack Ash in the penalty area with five minutes of the half remaining.

Michael Pinner stepped up, giving the keeper no chance with a well struck penalty, and Royston just a glimmer of hope.

With four substitutions at half time, and Tom Dolden moved from defence to midfield, Royston looked a different side in the second half, and it was no surprise when Ollie Fisher calmly slotted home Royston's second.

Bennington then upped their game and only some excellent goalkeeping prevented them from going further ahead.

Royston still had further chances, with Charlie McDermott going close after being put through by Charlie Stafford, before the visitors finally wrapped the game up with two further goals, giving them a well deserved victory.