ROYSTON TOWN FC v HITCHIN TOWN FC
Saturday 19th November 2022
A hat-trick from homegrown youngster Kian Harness gave the Crows all 3 points and saw them leapfrog above local rivals Hitchin Town in the league.
The home side eased their way into the game and after a scrappy first period saw the Canaries take the lead in the 26th minute when Diogo Freitas Gouveia initial shot was blocked but with the ball rebounding straight to him he curled the follow-up around home keeper Dimi Kyriatzis.
The Crows got a foothold in the game creating a few half chances, notably Connor Furlong producing 2 efforts that were well saved by Charles Horlock. Hitchin could have doubled their lead in the 32nd minute, but Kyriatzis spread himself well to save from Stephen Cawley. Royston thought they had equalised in the 41st minute as Matt Bateman’s weak header squirmed under Horlock, but the goalkeeper’s blushes were spared by the linesman’s flag. The equaliser eventually arrived in the first minute of added time when a scuffed free kick bounced up for Harness to head in.
Royston put the game effectively beyond the reach of the visitors with a quick double punch, as in the 51st Harness’s back heel found Cole Dasilva, whose shot was palmed out by Horlock straight to the feet of Bateman who gleefully fired home. 2 minutes later a Bateman flick on found Harness centrally and his shot proved too hot to handle for Horlock, as it deflected in off him.
Harness completed his hat-trick in the 67th minute as he finished low in the corner after a good pass from Jarid Robson had found him in space.
Hitchin grabbed a late consolation with what was undoubtedly the goal of the game. Gouveia picked the ball up on the left edge of the area and drove at the Crows defence before curling a delicious effort into the top corner, leaving Kyriatzis no chance.
After the game, Royston manager Steve Castle said “we looked nervous up until we scored our second goal whereupon we grew in confidence and we probably played the best football seen at Garden Walk this season”
Royston: 13-Kyriatzis, 2-Da Silva, 3-Nakatani-Brown, 4- Bell-Toxtle 79, 6-Henry © (16-Crowther 67), 7-Harness, 8-Williams, 9-Bateman (14-Cane 77), 10-Tshikuna, 11-Furlong (15-Robson 59), 20-Newton
Unused – 12-Keane, 17-Brown
MOM – Kian Harness
