Date	Sunday 18th March 2012
Match	Royston Town Youth v Hitchin Town Harriers
Competition	Royston Crow Youth Football League U13 Division 2
Result	Won 4-1
Royston Scorers	Charlie, Michael (2), Connor S
Man of Match	Connor L

  With 5 games and a possible 15 points at stake, this was a very important game.

The game started with us in our usual 4,2,3,1 formation, it soon became apparent our visitors had come to frustrate and contain us for as long as possible and look to hit us on the break. We dominated the mid-field with Ryan, James and George all having time to win the ball but the space was soon closed down by Hitchin meaning passes going array.  When we did find wide areas to attack from we seemed to hesitate at getting forward to support Charlie who looked very lonely up front.  Defensively we wanted too long on the ball, with both central players very nearly getting caught in possession early on in the match.  We pride ourselves on our ability to play quick passing football, playing off 2 or 3 touches but for 10-15mins our 2^nd touch was often a header or a tackle!

 

This prompted a couple of changes, not only personnel but also formation, we attempted to match Harriers with a 4,4,2 pushing Connor G up to play alongside Charlie, introducing Connor S and Mason into mid-field with George moving wide left. Initially this paid off; we looked more of a threat going forward getting more bodies into advanced positions. Finally we broke the dead lock, Connor S won the ball in the centre of the pitch who released Mason down the right, Mason strode powerfully into the box and with a man still to beat pulled a cross back across the face of goal for Charlie to tuck away for his 23  goal of the season.  Our lead didn’t last long however Harriers number 9 danced his way through ½ the team to scramble the ball over the line at the 2^nd attempt. Half time 1-1

 

For the 2^nd period we shuffled the pack again, Michael B came on for his debut, Jack replaced Josh and Oli for Matt and a more familiar 4,1,3,2 formation.

Instantly we looked more comfortable the passing , touch and movement all began to flow together leaving the visitors chasing shadows.

Royston’s 2^nd soon arrived, again Connnor S won the ball this time playing a defence splitting pass to the left hand side into the run of Michael , his first touch gave him the space required, his next saw the ball hit the right hand corner of the net beyond the despairing keeper. Royston made one more change Gareth making way for Owen.

Royston keeper Sam was now more of a spectator, to his credit he kept focused collecting any loose ball that passed the outstanding Connor L and being quick off the line on the rare occasion the defence was caught out. Royston added the 3^rd when a long clearance from Sam was taken down by Michael on the edge of the area, in one movement he took the ball passed the defender and stroked the ball home.

The 4^th and final goal was probably the best of the lot, a slick 1 & 2 touch passing move starting with Connor G’s ball to Michael , Michael fizzed a pass across the box and Sandford with a cheeky flick which deceived everyone, drawing applause from all around the pitch.

 

  Team: Sam, Gareth, Connor L, Josh, Matt, Ryan, James, Connor G, George, Kye, Charlie, Connor S, Mason, Michael, Josh, Owen, Oliver.