| Date | Saturday 13th January 2018 |
| Match | Dunstable Town v Royston Town |
| Competition | Evostik League South: Premier Division |
| Result | Won 5-0 |
| Attendance |
107 |
| Royston Scorers | Marriott(3), Bridges(2) |
| Crows MoM |
Adam Marriott |
An Adam Marriott hat-trick, taking his goal tally to 11 in his last 6 games, ensured that Royston returned from Creasey Park with the expected 3 point haul.
An away win looked like the only ever result, as the Crows dominated this match from start to finish, putting in a thoroughly ruthless, professional display to move within one place of the play-off positions.
Marriott’s first goal arrived in the 20th minute, as a throw-in on the half way line, was quickly played into the Dunstable area following good work from John Frendo and Scot Bridges. Marriott took the ball, before turning his marker and finishing with aplomb.
The lead was quickly doubled as Bridges scored the first of his brace, finishing confidently at the near post following Josh Castiglione’s pull back.
The remainder of the half was really an attack v defence scenario, although to their credit Dunstable defended their penalty box very well, ensuring the Crows were unable to create any real clear cut chances.
The second half continued in the same vein, with Royston looking for the game killing third goal, which duly arrived in the 68th minute, as Bridges curled home a 25 yard free kick after Marriott had been brought down.
Dunstable were looking to pose more of an attacking threat and had a great chance to reduce the arrears in the 70th minute as substitute Charlie Black fired wastefully over at the back post.
This was as good as it got for the home side as 5 minutes later Frendo was hauled down in the box. Skipper Bridges tried to grab the ball in an attempt to complete his hat-trick, but reluctantly gave up the opportunity, as the instruction from the bench was for Marriott to continue in his role as penalty taker. The most important thing was that the penalty got despatched, which Marriott confidently ensured.
The scoring was complete in the 79th minute as Marriott expertly finished a waist high volley, following an excellent run and cross from Sam Corcoran (sorry JP if this was you, I was out voted 2-1 on the identity of the provider).
Josh Tibbet’s clean sheet was nearly denied late on, as a weak header from Ed Asafu-Adjaye was nearly capitalised on, but Asafu-Adjaye recovered to ensure the goals against column remained unblemished.
Royston: 1-Tibbets, 2-Asafu-Adjaye, 3-Chappell, 4-Bridges © (14-Oyinsan 76), 5-Murray (Gaughran 69), 6-Brathwiate, 7-Marriott, 8-Corcoran, 9-Frendo, 10-Thomas, 11-Castiglione (16-Potton 67)
Unused: 15-Scott-Morriss, 17-Powell
| ROYSTON TOWN | DUNSTABLE TOWN | |
| 8 | EFFORTS ON TARGET | 0 |
| 8 | EFFORTS OFF TARGET | 5 |
| 3 | BLOCKED SHOTS | 0 |
| 13 | FREE KICKS AWARDED | 15 |
| 12 | CORNERS | 7 |
| 1 | YELLOW CARDS | 0 |
| 0 | RED CARDS | 0 |
