Ryan Ingrey’s first-half goal was enough to secure a fourth straight Southern League Division One Central win for the Crows last Saturday.

In the reverse match back in August, the Crows went down by a 1-0 scoreline despite dominating the match and they were certainly looking to put the matter right this time around.

Steve Castle’s matchday squad looked a little thin as suspensions were still being served, other players were given run-outs with the Reserve team and unforeseen illness also played a part.

Both sides fought for territory in the opening stages, with the game becoming bitty and with limited goalmouth action.

It was a game of half chances as Ingrey failed to convert on the halfhour mark, while top scorer Kaan Fehmi’s trickery in an offside-beating run looked as if a shot was forthcoming, but two unfortunate bobbles meant the striker couldn’t get an effort away.

The opener was just around the corner for Royston though.

A surging run by Ryan Lockett in the swampy 25-yard area led to a short pass to his colleague Ingrey on the edge of the box, and with a lot to do, the young forward powerfully drove diagonally across the 18-yard box looking for a shooting opportunity.

Under extreme defensive pressure, he found the strength to put in a low left-foot shot that found the bottom right-hand corner of Jamie Jackson’s goal to take a slender half-time lead.

A hobbling Fehmi made way for Gary Hart early in the second half as the Crows looked to defend their advantage.

Aylesbury made changes to try and mix it up but the overall game shape remained the same, as Royston remained in the ascendancy.

Substitute Reece Dobson – on for the superb Ingrey – had a gilt-edged chance to seal the game on 87 minutes, but he fluffed his lines with a sight of goal. Nevertheless, Royston prevailed.

The Crows were due to play at home to Godalming Town last Tuesday night, however, following a pitch inspection, Garden Walk was not deemed playable.