Royston Town 2 Sun Postal Sports 1 GEORGE Garner s double gave Royston three valuable points and earned manager Paul Attfield his first win. It was a thoroughly deserved win for the Crows, who as a result, have closed the gap at the bottom of the South

Royston Town 2 Sun Postal Sports 1

GEORGE Garner's double gave Royston three valuable points and earned manager Paul Attfield his first win.

It was a thoroughly deserved win for the Crows, who as a result, have closed the gap at the bottom of the South Midlands League Division One, and though it is still early days, there are already some encouraging signs for the new boss.

Attfield said: "It was a very important win, and although there is some work to be done, I saw a lot of positives.

"I was impressed with our team spirit and I thought we played some very good football and created a lot of chances, and on another day we could have had seven or eight goals.

"The whole team played very well and the new players came in and looked confident. Overall I was very satisfied with the performance and we certainly deserved the win."

And within minutes the Crows were making their presence felt, as Will Turl and Graham Tibbals both went close with two good chances as Royston's slick passing put their Watford-based opponents on the back foot.

Endacott then went even closer, running the ball from his own half before slotting wide.

Two minutes later, Royston were pressing again, and this time captain Allan Reid looked to have scored when his header appeared to cross the line following some good play from Robins.

However, their deserved breakthrough came shortly afterwards, when the ­visiting keeper dropped a high ball into the path of the on-running Garner, who slid home from close range.

At the other end, Sun Postal had to wait until the 35th minute for their first worthwhile attack and after some defensive hesitancy were unlucky with a shot that went just over from 18 yards.

But Royston were not so fortunate five minutes later when the ball was rifled past Williamson from 16 yards, after some good work in the Sun Postal midfield.

And the Crows would have been disappointed to have gone into the break on level terms, especially after dominating much of the first-half play.

However, they maintained the pressure, and within minutes of the re-start snatched a goal that ultimately proved to be a much-needed winner.

And it came courtesy of Garner, who again found space in the visitors' box with a cool finish, following Endacott's cross and Turl's clever knock-down.

Royston then began to open up their opponents at will.

Robins had three good chances to extend the Crows' lead with Tibbals again going close after a brilliant delivery from Garner.

Turl, Reid, and substitute Dave McMurrough also saw chances go begging as the hosts' frustration in front of goal began to show.

In the last 15 minutes, Sun Postal threw men forward and Royston became a little edgy and sloppy with their clearances, although Williamson was never really tested.

Peter Chappell had to be alert following one corner, with a defender heading the ball off the line, but if the visitors had snatched an equaliser it would have been very harsh.

But the Crows held firm and ended the game with three precious points.

Royston Town: Williamson; Endacott, Chappell, Cain, Hollingsworth; Reid, Edwards, Garner, Robins; Turl, Tibbals. (Subs): McMurrough, Babbage, Geldart, Booth.