ROYSTON TOWN FC v HITCHIN TOWN FC

Monday 26^th October 2020

Royston made it two wins in three days as they eventually overpowered a dogged Hitchin side.

An eagerly anticipated clash, confirmed by the match being a sell-out, failed to live up to expectations, as both sides cancelled each other out for the first hour of the contest.

Bar a stinging shot from the home side’s Lewis Barker, that was tipped over by Joe Welsh in the 35^th minute, the first half was largely forgettable as both sides defences were well on top, and when openings did appear the decision making of the attacking players left a little bit to be desired.

A tactical change by the Crows in the second half, moving the impressive Dan Newton from his centre half role into a midfield one, gave the Crows a greater territorial advantage and they gradually got on top as the half wore on. Having seen a shot saved early on in the second half, Isa Rotimi created the first goal in the 66^th minute, as his cross was expertly turned in by Brandon Adams, through the legs of home stopper Charlie Horlock.

Things got even better for the Crows in the 75^th minute as Rotimi turned goalscorer, seizing onto a loose ball in the Canaries penalty area, as they failed to clear a James Brighton free kick, and firing high past Horlock.

By now the Crows were well in control, denying Hitchin any clear sights of goal, with the only threat on Welch coming from a Callum Stead effort from outside the box that he was able to watch clear his crossbar.

A game that took a long time to spring into life, but crucially one that Royston eventually grabbed by the scruff of the neck, to record the victory and jump above Hitchin into 7^th place in a tightly congested table.

Royston: Welch, Newton, Murray, Asafu-Adjaye, Scott-Morriss, Green (Castiglione 70), Rotimi (Newman 91), Galliford, Brighton, Edwards (Williams 76), Adams

Unused: Culley, Yates (GK)

MOM – Isa Rotimi