Southgate Adelaide 0 Royston 6 AN excellent second half ­performance saw Royston to a ­comfortable victory over league strugglers Southgate Adelaide. The Crows had the vast majority of possession throughout the match, but failed to impress during the

Southgate Adelaide 0 Royston 6

AN excellent second half ­performance saw Royston to a ­comfortable victory over league strugglers Southgate Adelaide.

The Crows had the vast majority of possession throughout the match, but failed to impress during the first half, with an almost lethargic display, and seemed unable to inject any pace into their game.

Despite this Royston managed to wear down the Adelaide defence, and they created a number of chances to take the lead.

And a short corner eventually led to the opening goal, with a fine strike by Dave Barker.

Although under pressure, the hosts managed a few counter attacks and could have levelled the score, with Royston riding their luck at times.

In the second half Graham Mack and Nick Hurd came into the fold and it was the latter who doubled Royston's lead with a deflected ­finish.

Then Royston began to create scoring opportunities virtually at will, as Barker struck again from another short corner, and Owen Russell got off the mark with a calm finish.

Adelaide began to push forward, desperate to get on the scorecard, and did manage to create a couple of half chances which they managed squander.

The home side's desire for a goal only left them vulnerable at the back and Royston were happy to take advantage of this, with Russell and Hurd each adding a second.

Welwyn Garden City 1 Royston IV 6

TURNING on the style, Royston knocked Welwyn Garden City for six with Paul Bloomfield grabbing a hat-trick.

Despite having a bare squad of 11, Royston played their best hockey of the season, and outplayed their hosts from the off.

It was an impressive display from Royston, and after dominating the early stages, Steve Gourd combined with Paul Bloomfield to hammer home The Crows' opener.

This was followed by a quick break forward from Colin Bateman down the left, and after his 30-yard run found Gourd, Bateman received the ball back to double the lead with a calm close range finish.

Royston grabbed a third just before half-time with Tim Yow's instant control leaving his markers in his wake before he fired in a brilliant low strike.

In the second half it was more of the same, and the visitors had a fourth when Chris Watson nipped in following some good play by Gourd.

Goals five and six soon followed, with Bloomfield finishing a brilliant move up the park, with a confident strike, before Bloomfield completed the rout with a superb reverse stick half volley.

With the result in the bag, The Crows conceded a last minute goal with Welwyn Garden City snatching a consolation despite the best efforts of the largely untroubled Gary ­Pinner.