| Date | Saturday 12th August 2017 |
| Match | Royston Town v Stratford Town |
| Competition | Evostik League Southern: Premier Division |
| Result | Lost 2-1 |
| Attendance |
224 |
| Royston Scorers | Frendo |
| Crows MoM |
Stuart Bridges |
In their first game in the Southern League Premier Division Royston suffered a disappointing defeat against a well organised Stratford Town side. A lively opening saw Louis Conner save well down to his left from Royston debutant Adam Marriott’s well directed header.
The opening goal arrived two minutes later from Stratford’s first meaningful attack when the un-marked Ben Stephens headed in an inviting left-wing cross. The early setback seemed to unsettle Royston until the 21st minute when a blocked cross fell to John Frendo on the edge of the box whose well controlled half volley arrowed into the net.
However, the lead was short lived as six minutes later Stratford worked the ball across the pitch from right to left and full back Lee Thomas had plenty of time to pick his spot and rifle an unstoppable shot past Joe Welch in the Royston goal. From this point on the game turned into a dour battle with neither team able to find any real quality to trouble the opposing defences.
This continued into the second half with the only on target efforts coming from Scott-Morriss and Frendo, both of which were pushed away by Conner in the Stratford goal.
As a midfield battle developed the game started to became a little fractious which resulted in Royston’s Adam Murray receiving a red card after some pushing and shoving at a corner. The numbers were evened up shortly afterwards when Loyiso Reeci received a second yellow card.
Royston continued to press until the end throwing numerous balls into the Stratford box but resolute defending from visiting centre halves Andrew Gallinagh and Liam Francis ensured Stratford left Garden Walk with all three points.
Royston: 1-Welch, 2-Scott-Morriss, 3-Brathwaite, 4-Bridges, Scott ©, 5-Murray (sent-off 57), 6-Bridges, Stuart, 7-Potton, 8-Powell, 9-Frendo, 10-Marriott, 11-Ives
Subs: 17-Asafu-Adjaye (for Marriott 57), 16-Vasey (for Frendo 63), 12-Castiglione (for Powell 71)
Unused: 14-Nolan, 15-Alomenu
| ROYSTON TOWN | STRATFORD | |
| 4 | EFFORTS ON TARGET | 2 |
| 4 | EFFORTS OFF TARGET | 2 |
| 3 | BLOCKED SHOTS | 0 |
| 18 | FREE KICKS AWARDED | 12 |
| 8 | CORNERS | 1 |
| 2 | YELLOW CARDS | 3 |
| 1 | RED CARDS | 1 |
