Welwyn Garden City 1 Royston 2 A SOLID performance saw Royston claim all three points, away to a strong Welwyn Garden City side on Saturday. Chris Welding and Calum Weir both came into the forward line, and performed well in a match that Royston should

Welwyn Garden City 1 Royston 2

A SOLID performance saw Royston claim all three points, away to a strong Welwyn Garden City side on Saturday.

Chris Welding and Calum Weir both came into the forward line, and performed well in a match that Royston should have won by a greater margin.

Dave Barker almost opened the scoring early on, but saw his shot hit the post and rebound wide.

Further Royston opportunities were few and far between, as the hosts looked to push forward in search of an opener.

Unhappy with their performance, The Crows changed their formation at half-time, and restarted the game in confident mood.

The deadlock should have been broken when Welding won a penalty stroke, but an uncharacteristic strike by Andy Drage saw it saved by the Welwyn keeper.

However, Royston's greater creativity soon told, with two goals in quick succession. The first came courtesy of Nick Hurd, and the second from a confident Welding strike, as Royston remained in control.

With 10 minutes to play, some poor Royston marking allowed the hosts' striker a free shot on goal, which he executed well, giving Welwyn a chance to salvage a point.

However, with the clock running down, The Crows began to shut up shop and consolidated three vital points.

Berkhamsted 2 Royston IV 2

WITH a shuffled squad, laden with attacking players, Royston battled until the end with an impressive display of hockey.

And they started with steely intent, with the hosts' keeper making a string of saves, as Royston rained in shots from every angle.

However, The Crows were caught on the break, with two Berkhamsted players running through and one of them slotting the ball past Pinner.

Royston responded with some patient build up and clever passing, and Phillips leveled, following some intelligent play from Gourd.

The second half saw more of the same, with Royston dominating the possession. However, once more they were caught napping with Berkhamsted's speedy centre-forward beating Pinner from a tight angle.

The Crows were back in the game though moments later, following some brilliant individual skill from Phillips, who beat three defenders before slotting home.

With five minutes to go Royston thought they had won when Gourd smashed a rebounded shot over the keeper, but his effort was ruled out for a foul. Incensed, Gourd was sin binned shortly after, with Royston playing the final minutes a man down.

But the Crows held on, and with just one more league game to play, Royston's search for a top three finish looks set.