Royston Hockey Club round-up

ROYSTON Men’s Is’ troubled season continued on Saturday as they went down 3-2 at home to Whinchmore & Enfield.

The visitors went ahead within the first couple of minutes of play but a spirited fight back from Royston saw Nick Ross and Graham Mack give the hosts a 2-1 lead going into half time.

After a strong first half performance the second period was met by a change of fortunes for the home side. Enfield pressed hard and eventually found an equaliser as Royston’s current lack of confidence began to show and the visitors slotted in the winner to seal all three points shortly before the end.

The Men’s IIs maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with a convincing 3-0 win away at Bishop’s Stortford Vs.

The first goal was scored by Man of the Match Ollie Kenzie who poached from two yards after a shot from Mark Jacobs was parried. Later in the half, new-boy Daniel Griggs dribbled past two players before firing into the bottom right hand corner.

Royston continued to play with fluidity and passion in the second half with sweeping moves creating plenty of chances. The third goal was scored from open play by defender Clive Biddlecombe.

The Men’s IIIs lost 4-1 to Broxbourne Vs despite putting in an excellent first half performance.

Royston took the lead through Colin Bateman’s accurate shot from distance, and came close to extending this with well-struck shots from Bateman and Keith Markham.

The first-half performance was undermined within 30 seconds of the restart as Royston gave the ball away cheaply and were ineffectual in attempting to get it back which lead to the equaliser.

Soon after, the game had been turned on its head when Broxbourne’s danger man was left unmarked and was able to waltz unchallenged into the circle and fire in a shot that proved too hot for Orme to handle.

As time ebbed away Royston threw bodies forward, leaving gaps in defence that Broxbourne exploited to add two further goals to give the final score a rather harsh look about it.

The Men’s IVs didn’t fare much better as they were beaten 3-0 by Welwyn GC IVs.

Royston’s Youth side were not outplayed in this match and the result flattered the opposition. Andy wilson and Andrew Lawrence both had shots well saved in the first half and all three Welwyn goals had an element of controversy attached to them.

Man of the match Miles Jackson had his best game of the season so far but he was not able to do anything about the result.

The Ladies’ Is recorded a brilliant 2-0 victory away to Luton Town Is to put the previous week’s defeat behind them.

The visitors started strongly putting Luton straight under pressure and didnt have to wait long before Kirsty Mckenzie converted from a short corner to give them the lead. Player of the Match Sarah Buckerfield played a long ball through to Emma Whitaker who calmy lifted the ball around the keeper to make it 2-0. In the second half Luton upped their game but strong team play from Royston denied them from scoring.

The Ladies IIs narrowly lost 3-2 to Chess Valley Is despite a good performance.

Royston were unlucky to go 1-0 down early in the first half but fought back well and equalised shortly after with a great strike by Lucy Davidson.

Chess Valley continued to pressure and converted two more attempts to go 3-1 up at half time.

A great fight-back by Royston saw Jennifer Biddlecombe score her first goal for the IIs, and Royston looked like they may be awarded with a share of the points. However, despite Sarah Farmer hitting the post, Royston ran out of time and again came away empty handed