Royston Town boss Steve Castle rues missing star men after 1-0 Kettering defeat

Royston Town v Kettering Town (Image: Archant)

Dan Holman’s tap-in after 42 minutes was the difference in the top of the table clash, as a disjointed Royston struggled to create against the Poppies.

With towering striker Adam Murray and powerful centre-back Ben Martin - both standing at over six feet and six inches - ruled out through suspension and injury, the Crows’ height and strength advantage was gone.

Speaking after the game, Castle said: “I think if we could have included our two big lads today we’d have been more than a match for them, and maybe better.

“It was a missed opportunity. We were very poor in the final third and we gave them a goal.

“It was disappointing, had we got the draw it would have flattered us slightly, especially at home but I don’t think they were as good as we thought.

“If James Potton’s chance goes in at the end we’d have got the draw but I’m still looking at our frontmen not getting crosses in and not forcing opportunities to score. We were at home, we should have been taking the game to them but we were on edge.”

With Martin and Murray - who can also play at centre-back - out, Castle started Spyros Mentis and new-signing Harold Joseph in the middle of his back four. Mentis normally plays in midfield but the Cypriot had an outstanding game and his man of the match award was well-earned.

Castle added: “He was outstanding. Spyros is a fantastic lad, he can play anywhere.

“We needed someone quite mobile and their goal had nothing to do with Spyros or Harold.

“Defensively we were ok but going forward I was disappointed.“