Ridgeons Youth League

Blackstones 0-3 Royston Town

ROYSTON TOWN U18s made the long trip to Stamford in Lincolnshire for this Wednesday night game but made light work of what looked a difficult match on paper.

The young Crows put on a good attacking performance and but for some excelled goalkeeping and clearances off the line the eventual scoreline could have been far greater.

Another encouraging sign was the inclusion of six U16s in the squad – goalkeeper Owen Bentley keeping a second consecutive clean sheet, Ryan Omahoney and Jake Booth making debuts with Matt Brennan, Dan Sizer and Ollie Wheeler all featuring. Their performances on the night were a clear incite into future talent in the youth ranks progressing through.

The biggest surprise of the night was that it took 37 minutes for Royston to open the scoring. The majority of the play was confined deep in the Blackstones half and the near miss count was at a high number before the first goal came.

At the other end Blackstones went close on two occasions from corners but Bentley was not actually called on to make a defining save until late in the second half.

The opening goal was scored and well taken by Luke Hennessey. Ryan Webb beat a couple of tackles and sent a swift diagonal ball into the winger’s path and he broke clear of the home defence to slip under the advancing ‘keeper.

The tone continued in the second half as pressure was instilled on the home goal although the hosts made a better fist of the game and were better in attack keeping the Royston backline on their toes.

Goal number two came in the 66th minute when Daniel Bond ran onto a ball in the left channel, raced into the area and pulled the ball back for George Duffin to score from 10 yards.

The win was cemented in the 80th minute when Webb raced onto Wheeler’s through ball. Whilst the ‘keeper made one of a number of tremendous saves on the evening he couldn’t keep the ball reaching Duffin from his initial block and the striker scored with ease from close range.

Overall and exceptionally good attacking performance from the whole Royston side and their next game at Stotfold next Thursday is well set up with this win.

Royston: Bentley, Brennan, Hodgson (O’Mahony), Mullings, Sizer (Wheeler), Reed Carthy, Hennessey, Duffin, Bond (Booth), Webb.