Royston Town 2 Ware 5 IT was all about the players fitness for manager Phil Snowden as Royston were left chasing shadows at Garden Walk on Tuesday night. With a number of players returning for The Crows, including captain Stuart Snowden, Royston were pu

Royston Town 2 Ware 5

IT was all about the players' fitness for manager Phil Snowden as Royston were left chasing shadows at Garden Walk on Tuesday night.

With a number of players returning for The Crows, including captain Stuart Snowden, Royston were put through their paces by Ryman League Ware.

Snowden said: "We're not going to come up against many sides as good as Ware this season. You don't want to see your team get beaten 5-2 but for me it's about the workout the boys have had.

"We know we're lacking match practice at the moment. We certainly need to be a lot sharper."

However, it started well for the hosts, taking the lead after just six minutes, with Allan Reid's powerful challenge releasing Dave McMurrough to slot home.

But in the space of two minutes Ware were in front thanks to John Frendo and a lucky Scott Nielsen strike, before adding a third just before half time.

Five minutes into the second half, Ware captain Danny Wolf bundled in a corner before Chris Ellerbecke made it five.

Snowden reshuffled the pack, and moved new Portuguese midfielder Bruno Condutto into attack.

And it paid dividends when another Royston new boy Daniel Hogarth found the diminutive Condutto who squared for the on-running Jason Nash to tap in.

Royston: Barnes; Bloss, Reid, Baker; Snowden, Nash, Rogers, Perkiss, Condutto; McMurrough, Tibbals. Subs; White, Chappell, Blair, Hogarth, Ndombe.

- Royston lost 4-1 to Cambridge City last Thursday, with Bruno Condutto scoring on his debut. The Crows' pre season action continued on Saturday with Brett Perkiss' strike earning a 1-1 draw with Broxbourne.

On Saturday they visit Bishop's Stortford Swifts, and on Tuesday entertain Leverstock Green, 7.45pm.