Old Southendians 2 Royston 1 ROYSTON suffered as loss to league leaders Old Southendians on Saturday after putting in a fighting performance. Throughout the match the hosts proved why they headed the table with some quality play and on balance deserved to

Old Southendians 2 Royston 1

ROYSTON suffered as loss to league leaders Old Southendians on Saturday after putting in a fighting performance.

Throughout the match the hosts proved why they headed the table with some quality play and on balance deserved to take the three points.

Royston frustrated their opponents from start to finish and took the lead after an aerial by Nick Ross found Owen Russell who fired his shot in, yet the home side's reply was swift and two well taken goals in the last 10 minutes were enough to seal the match.

Although Royston had chances to score further goals there was little complaint over the result with Old Southendians currently walking the league, but following the match the hosts suggested Royston were the best side they had faced this season.

Royston II 1 Stevenage III 2

ROYSTON suffered their first home league defeat in two seasons against Stevenage.

Sloppy defending let Stevenage score with 10 seconds remaining in the first half and although Royston had chances they failed to convert and Stevenage took a two goal lead midway through the second half.

Royston responded well and a run down the right from Mark Jacobs led to a cross crisply converted by Darren Hicks but ill discipline let the side down with another yellow card and Royston faced getting an equaliser with only 10 men.

As it was, they were unable to do it and the game ended 2-1 to Stevenage.

Royston III 1 West Herts IV 7

THE league leaders took the lead early against Royston when confusion in the midfield marking assignments allowed a West Herts midfielder to pick the ball up, stroll unopposed into the Royston circle and fire a crisp shot past 'keeper Chris Berry.

Royston responded well and equalised when Tim Yow cleverly dummied Pete Belcher's pass through the middle, setting skipper Keith Markham clean through to slip the ball under the 'keeper and finish off with a reverse stick shot.

West Herts restored their lead when a rapid move ended with players unmarked in the circle, the ball being taken around Berry and finished with a shot through a defender's legs.

The hosts led 3-1 minutes later when a defensive clearance was miss-hit straight to an opponent who whizzed a free shot past Berry and West Herts killed the game off as a contest midway through the second period when they took advantage of some slack defensive marking to finish with ease.

They added a further three goals in the last 10 minutes as Royston tired.

Royston IV 0 Blueharts V 1

ROYSTON were unable to turn pressure and chances into goals as Blueharts managed to convert one of their few chances to seal the win 1-0.

Royston V 4 Southgate Adelaide IV 1

ROYSTON'S youth side thoroughly deserved their first win of the season in this friendly fixture.

Fielding nine players aged younger than 15 for much of the game, the team demonstrated awareness and distribution beyond their limited experience.

Goals came from Simon Hughes (two), David Whitaker and a first ever men's team goal for Andrew Lawrence after Toby Hall had hit the post with a fine shot from the top of the D.

Man-of-the-match John Gourd caused the opposition defence numerous problems while the Royston defensive trio of Farmer, Jackson and Stewart held firm when under pressure.

Josh Hughes and Josh Montague-Fuller controlled the game beautifully from midfield with chances continuing to be created right through to the final whistle.