ROYSTON fourths first home friendly of the season ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw with St Ives. The visitors made a bright start, and Royston keeper Robert Frost had to stand firm and deal with a barrage of early shots. However, St Ives continued to pre

ROYSTON fourths first home friendly of the season ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw with St Ives.

The visitors made a bright start, and Royston keeper Robert Frost had to stand firm and deal with a barrage of early shots.

However, St Ives continued to press, and soon took a two-goal lead after a pair of incisive breakaways.

But just before half time Chris Watson pulled one back, slamming in a shot from a short corner which found the net via a deflection.

Inspired by this goal, Royston began to show more cohesion in the second period, with the midfield and attack linking effectively.

The equaliser came after a shot corner which was converted by Paul Bloomfield.

Royston hit the front when Bloomfield and Watson combined to play in Richard Bowen, who made no mistake with a composed finish. Unfortunately for the home side, their lead was short-lived, and it took some more inspired goalkeeping from Smith to keep St Ives at bay.

They did find the net once more though, to make the final score 3-3.