Royston Hockey Club round-up

ROYSTON Men’s Is’ rollercoaster season continued with a miserable 3-0 defeat away to Welwyn Garden City Is on Saturday.

The visitors struggled from the very first whistle, in one of there most disjointed performances so far. Basic errors haunted Royston throughout, often gifting the advantage to the hosts. Any chances created, both from short corners and open play were squandered, as a lack of focus from the match preparation until the end put paid to Royston’s efforts.

The Men’s IIs left it late to record a 2-1 win against a stubborn St Albans Vs.

Within 5 minutes of the start St Albans were down to 10 men as one of their players limped off with a calf injury. Despite this they maintained a solid defense and Royston had to work hard to break it down.

The first goal, once again, came from Mike Priest as he found a gap in the ‘keeper’s armour to slot the ball home.

Despite much of the play being in the St Albans half Royston didn’t capitalise, although there was some fine play from forwards Phillips and, man of the match, Mark Jacobs. However, they were then punished by St Albans as they found the net in a rare attack.

Royston laid siege to the St Albans goal but found their ‘keeper in inspired form but, with the final touch of the game, Darren Hicks deflected a strong pass into the roof of the net to secure a last-gasp win and maintain their promotion ambitions.

The Men’s IIIs suffered an 8-0 defeat to an excellent Southgate Adelaide IIs.

The Men’s IVs beat Stevenage IVs 7-3 although the match was tighter than the scoreline suggests.

Four goals from Nick Freeman along with strikes from Dan Smith, Richard Huby and Simon Hughes secured the win.

Meanwhile the Ladies IIs beat high-flying Hertford IIs 5-1.

The deadlock of an equal first 20 minutes was broken when Alison Carroll ran down the right wing, crossed to Sarah Farmer who laid it off to Player of the Match Lucy Richardson to fire home. Confidence rose in the home side and a series of penalty corners was rewarded by a fine goal from Lucy Davidson.

Spurred on by great vocal support from the touchline, the second half continued with Royston dominating. Two more penalty corners were converted - the first from Katie Ellard, and the second was a looping lob over the goalie by Rosie Polge.

Hertford pulled one back with a breakaway goal, but Royston sealed victory with a great move started by Teresa Smith at the back - picking out Lucy Richardson with a sublime pass, who beat two players, before crossing for Carroll who converted first time at the far post.