ROYSTON Town boss Paul Attfield is calling on his side to be sharper out of the traps after The Crows were always on the back foot in scraping a 3-3 home draw with North Greenford United on Tuesday night.
The visitors netted after just two minutes of the clash at Garden Walk when Carlton Stewart got on the end of an Omar Vassell corner to power a header home.
Royston’s equaliser didn’t come until the 53 minute when Robbie Mason, who has made a positive start at the club since signing from Soham Town Rangers, netted for his third goal in the opening two league games.
But back came Greenford, and a goalkick somehow penetrated the Royston backline, and Lorenzo Ferrarri fired home.
The Crows continued to try and hard and break down resolute defending but the final quality in the final third was too often found wanting.
And with seven minutes to go a 25-yard Vassell free-kick flew straight through the wall and George Lawton could only parry the ball into the net to give the visitors a double cushion.
Royston threw everything they could into attack and got a lifeline with two minutes remaining when Ryan Lockett’s shot was deflected to Ross Collins who scored from close range in the last minute of normal time.
At the other end Lawton had to make his only meaningful save of the night when he raced from his line to block a forward who had outpaced the home defence.
But The Crows got the equaliser their efforts deserved two minutes into stoppage time when Lewis Endacott’s fine ball into the area from the right eluded outstretched feet and went into the far corner.
Despite rescuing a point, Attfield was far from happy with the outcome.
“It was quite surprising how slow we started, we were on the back foot straight away, and in the end had to rely on a couple of late strikes,” he said.
“We have got to be winning these kind of games, especially at home. Most of the time, scoring two late goals and rescuing something would make you happy, but we all believed we could get six points from the opening two league games.”
On Saturday The Crows defeated Southern League Division One Central new boys Egham Town 2-1 away, Mason grabbing a debut brace.
The close season has been a difficult one for Attfield, with injuries and player absence meaning he has found it hard to get some rhythm going in his squad.
“I haven’t really learnt anything in pre-season to be honest, as we have had many injuries and people have been away,” added Attfield.
“We have our two top-scorers last season, Luke Robins and Kaan Fehmi injured, and new signings Tom Pepper and Dave Theobald suspended, so it’s been a bit frustrating.”
On Saturday, Royston travel to take on another one of the league’s new boys, Potters Bar Town.
The Scholars triumphed in their opening league game at home, defeating Kettering Town 2-0, but on Tuesday night they were thumped 6-1 away at Rugby Town.
Attfield added: “We played them in the Herts Charity Cup last year so we know a bit about them.
“They suffered a heavy defeat, so who knows how they are going to be feeling. But we have got things to put right.
“We have got to be better in both boxes, and certainly got to start games off much better.
“The 11 players who start the game have got to be on it straight away.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here