London APSA 0 Royston Town 3 FA Vase second qualifying round ROYSTON overcame a tricky trip to London APSA with a highly convincing team showing to set up a first round match at home to either Basildon United or Barking. The heavy East End traffic due to

London APSA 0 Royston Town 3

FA Vase second qualifying round

ROYSTON overcame a tricky trip to London APSA with a highly convincing team showing to set up a first round match at home to either Basildon United or Barking.

The heavy East End traffic due to the West Ham v Liverpool Premier League tie meant some of the Crows' players arrived late for the game which hampered their preparations, but the team quickly put this behind them and were 2-0 up within 20 minutes.

Manager Paul Attfield played Ricky Young in the central attacking role after releasing Ryan Wade from the club during the previous week and the teenager caused havoc in the opening stages.

In just the third minute Young reacted quickest to his own rebounded effort to hook a shot over his shoulder and into the top corner, and the young striker and captain Luke Robins had efforts saved by the home 'keeper before Royston's second came from a Robins' cross which the 'keeper caught behind his own goal line after judging it incorrectly.

The two goals came as Royston dominated early proceedings but their opponents refused to give up easily and had the better of the remainder of the half with two headers going just off target and another hacked off the line by David Cain.

The opening exchanges of the second half saw a number of corners go APSA's way and Jorden Gibson was forced into a tremendous tip over in the Royston goal, but after the first 10 minutes of the second half Royston took charge once again.

Some neat attacking football helped tire APSA in the hot conditions and Ryan Lockett scored his first of the season to complete the scoring in the 65th minute when he rasped home a 16-yard left foot strike after a great run and pull back from Scott Crosk on the right wing.

Robins had another chance to add to his earlier goal but his lob following a Lewis Endacott ball couldn't get over the keeper's head.

Carl Edwards was also unlucky when he found space in the area but his shot was straight at the unprotected 'keeper as Royston tried to add to their lead as they saw the game out with relative ease.

Attfield said: "It was a good reaction from the players after the disappointing FA Cup showing last week.

"We looked very vibrant and determined throughout in tricky conditions and our opponents struggled with a quick passing game which helped us control a good percentage of the two halves. It was an excellent and deserved result."

Royston: Gibson, Endacott, Cook, Jones, Cain, Edwards (Turl), Collins, Bronti (Crosk), Young, Lockett, Robins (Morriss). Subs: Apostolos, Malins.