Vets on form

Royston Town Vets 2

Goldin Old Boys 1

A SECOND half penalty save from Royston keeper Colin McArthur was the difference between the two sides in a highly competitive game at Garden Walk on Sunday.

Missing Nick King, Jason Clark and Carlo Silenti, Brian Cannon returned to the centre of defence, Mark Crowley started on the right, with Nick Humphries making a long awaited return up front.

Town very nearly took the lead in the opening minute, when a clever long range chip from Humphries nearly caught out the visitors keeper, followed very quickly by a Paul Lewis effort, again forcing a fine save.

Royston certainly found the Hertford-based visitors far sharper, quicker and at times more physical than opponents of recent weeks.

Powerhouse Richard Harris was very much in the thick of it, defending resolutely, taking control of midfield and surging forward at every opportunity.

When the quick Old Boys forwards broke through, Ian Stubbs was once again in commanding form, alongside the calming influence of Cannion and the strong, resolute defending of Kevin Flack.

The visitors took the lead midway through the first half when Mike Jackson needlessly gave away a free-kick on the right hand side, to then see the resultant free kick drift straight into the near corner.

Town were always looking dangerous, although poor finishing and some fine saves from the visitors keeper prevented them drawing level.

An Old Boys defender was asked to join the sin bin, along with Humphries as the game became more physical from the youthful visitors.

The second half saw McArthur take over in goal from Merv Chaffey, with Jackson moving to midfield and Ian King coming in at full back.

Paul Lewis then pulled one back for Town with a fine opportunist goal, getting in front of a defender to powerfully head home before Daryl Quinn put the Vets ahead, after good work again from Lewis.

Jason Nash, Harris, Humphries, Quinn and Jackson all forced good saves from the Old Boys keeper, before Flack was adjudged to have committed a foul in the penalty area.

McArthur initially produced an excellent save from the resultant penalty, before then making two brave and courageous saves at the feet of oncoming forwards, before finally grabbing hold off the ball.

The game could still then have gone either way, with McArthur again called into action, whilst at the other end, Town again went close, before the final whistle went, with both sides knowing they had been involved in an enthralling, competitive and physical encounter.

Royston Town Vets: M. Chaffey, M Jackson, I Stubbs, K Flack, B Cannon, J Nash, M Crawley, D Quinn, P Lewis, R Harris , N Humphries, C McArthur, I King, I Allen

- Royston Vets host Standon and Puckeridge Vets on Sunday, kick-off 10.30am at Garden Walk