Victor on target to seal point for young Crows

Royston Town Colts U-12 1

Herts Rangers 1

VICTOR Flletta's late goal gave Colts a share of the points against Crow League Cup winners Rangers.

Early stages saw good passing from both teams with midfielders Jacob Leighton, Adam Sartini, Matt Brennan and Keran Willis-Wright all getting stuck into the Rangers midfield.

Early pressure came from Royston as Ellis King took the ball wide down the left wing and deftly crossed the ball into the box only to find empty space.

Moments later Brennan intercepted the ball just outside the box and fired a rocket just wide of the right-hand post.

Herts then began to assert themselves applying pressure down the left only to be thwarted time and again by Jack Anderson.

Fine interplay just before the brake cut through the Royston defence and left goal keeper and man of the match Conner Long to produce a brilliant save which kept Royston level at

After the break Royston were slow to start. Rangers ceased the opportunity and with swift passing broke clean through the Colts midfield and fired a thunderous shot on goal only to see it tipped wide by another fine save from Long.

From then on the play seemed mostly to be run by Herts as they were consistently first to any loose balls, and with crisp running off the ball, started to make life difficult for Royston.

Only a string of outstanding saves by Long kept a rapidly tiring Town side in the game.

Continuous pressure eventually lead to a breakthrough for Rangers as confusion in the Royston defence allowed Herts to cross the ball in from wide right.

It was met sweetly by the midfield to put Rangers ahead.

With time running out Royston appeared to get the message and started to challenge for ball in midfield.

Louis Townsend, Lewis Hunter and Falletta all wining the ball in the air and giving their side much needed possession.

As time ran down Royston could taste defeat in the air and pressed forward. Nicky Garbut charged at the Rangers backline forcing a corner in the dying minutes.

King stepped in and delivered a peach of a cross that was hammered home from the head of Falletta giving Colts a hard fought draw.

Potton Colts Whites U-11 6 Royston Town Colts A 2

ROYSTON began their new campaign in charitable fashion, gifting their skilful and well-organised opponents a four-goal head start.

Four down by half-time and seemingly out if it, a reorganised and rejuvenated Royston put in a far better second half display to show their true potential.

Potton began the better of the two sides, taking the lead from a rebound after an excellent initial save from keeper John Middlemass.

Royston were unlucky not to restore parity, Sam Hunter striking the foot of the upright after good work from Matthew Evans.

However the visitors dominated the first half with some excellent passing football, beating Royston's offside trap to notch their second midway through the half.

Again, Royston forced their way back into the game, Jack Bailey and man-of-the match Harry Stafford, creating problems for the home side's defence.

A quick break on the right split Royston's defence again, Potton more alert to the rebound after another good Middlemass save to further extend their lead.

Matt Cooney made way for debutant Sam Cooper, as Royston attempted to sure up the back

But even he could do nothing to prevent Potton's fourth from an incisive move through the centre despite Mitch Kilroy bets efforts on the line.

Lucas Sekobawane replaced Matt Evans for the second half, partnering Bailey upfront, and immediately showing his lightning pace to outstrip the Potton defence, latching on to a great pass from Max McLean to coolly slot home.

A reorganised Royston, with Jake Benstead switching to midfield and Stafford alongside Ashley Chapman at centre back, looked far more balanced, Bailey firing just over from distance after good work form Conor Saggers.

Inevitably, as Royston chased the game, gaps appeared at the back which Potton exploited ruthlessly, beating the offside trap once more to restore their four-goal advantage.

Royston pulled one back almost immediately, Bailey pouncing on a long clearance from Middlemass for a well-deserved goal.

Potton then wrapped-up the win with a late strike to make the final score 6-2.

Colts: J Middlemass, M Cooney, A Chapman, H Stafford, M Kilroy, J Benstead, M McLean, C Saggers, S Hunter, J Bailey, M Evans. Subs: L Sekobawane, S Cooper.

Baldock T Youth Templars U-11 2

Bishop's Stortford Athletic 3

STORTFORD took the Division Two points after an entertaining game.

Baldock started poorly and but for two excellent saves from Taylor and superb defending from man-of-the-match Blanchfield could have been more than 1-0 down at half-time.

The second half was a different story. Baldock piled on the pressure and were rewarded when Massey brought the scores level, latching onto a long kick from Taylor.

With Rodgers and Savage looking solid at the back and Gray now controlling the midfield, Baldock dominated the game.

Despite continuous attacks Baldock were shocked by two breakaway goals from Athletic in the space of a minute.

As the game moved into injury time Rogers put in a great cross and Massey finished at the far post.

Baldock threw everything and everyone forward in the dying minutes, but could not find another goal to level the game.