Royston Town A 4 Watton at Stone Res 2 THE Crows moved towards the Herttford & District League Division Three title with another comfortable win on Saturday. As well as completing a double against Watton and collecting all the points Royston also w

Royston Town A 4 Watton at Stone Res 2

THE Crows moved towards the Herttford & District League Division Three title with another comfortable win on Saturday.

As well as completing a double against Watton and collecting all the points Royston also welcomed back the vastly experienced Michael Baker returning from a career threatening injury.

The game opened at a frantic pace, and only a first class save from Chris Free prevented Watton from taking an early lead.

The game's first goal came from a classic counter-attacking move, with James Bass and Peter Hodgson exchanging passes to set up the tireless Lee Bates who slotted home his 21st goal of the season with some aplomb.

The second goal came soon after when Brett Purkiss raced through and fired a rasping low drive past the visiting keeper.

Watton grabbed a goal back on the stroke of half time as the Crows once again took their foot of the pedal, but through the ever hard working Bass restored the two goal advantage when James Merideth provided him with a simple tap in.

The hot weather took its toll in the second period as the game began to fizzle out as a contest. Royston added another goal from the penalty spot when Nathan Davenport was felled then dusted himself down to net the spot kick.

The home side were awarded a second penalty kick within 10 minutes of the first but this one provided a different outcome when keeper Free failed to beat his opposite number.

A rare foray forward for Watton produced a late consolation but Royston still maintain their march towards the title.

Dunstable AFC Res 0 Royston Town Res 1

DESPITE having to deal with the early evening kick off, and subsequent rush hour journey through Luton, Town produced a fine performance, that in terms of defensive qualities may be their best of the season.

The early chances went the way of the hosts, with a couple of headed chances, which needed stand in keeper Tyrone Parry to be at his best.

Having weathered the early pressure Town got into their own game, and it was the strength of forward Lee Bates that began to cause problems for the AFC defenders.

Town suffered an early blow with the loss of Craig Parry with a recurring injury, this lead to the introduction of the ever improving Matt Lewis to partner Bates in attack.

With the Town back four again well marshaled by skipper Danny Miles, assisted by wide players Chris Geldart, and Danny Bird working tirelessly to keep out the home side the first half became an entertaining affair with both sides chasing a win.

Royston got the second period off to a bright start with both Bates and Lewis causing further problems, the latter going close with the home keeper well beaten.

It was Lewis who broke the deadlock from almost the same position, taking his chance early to coolly lob the advancing keeper.

This instilled some urgency into the AFC side, and Royston despite not looking too bothered at the increase in pressure worked hard to restrict the hosts to a couple of free kicks from distance, and hold out for a well deserved, and needed victory.

Royston: T Parry, A Stodart, B Bowles, D Miles, C Parry, C Geldart , C Burkes, D Bird, P Still, R Lowden, J Gamble, M Lewis, B Jackson, L Bates.