| Date | Tuesday 28 October 2014 |
| Match | Royston Town v AFC Hayes |
| Competition | Evo-Stik League Southern: Division One Central |
| Result | Won 2-1 |
| Attendance |
118 |
| Royston Scorers | Own Goal, Fehmi |
| Crows MoM |
Kaan Fehmi |
Royston had to dig deep into their reserves as they huffed and puffed to a hard won three points against basement side AFC Hayes – who somehow kept the goal tally in the first half down to just two and then put in a valiant second half against a scrabbling home team to get one goal back and whilst a draw would arguably not have been a just result for the overall chances created, it would not have surprised any of the bewildered Crows’ supporters.
The Crows went into this game off the back of three straight league defeats and needed a positive result to maintain any real promotion challenge. Home-side dominance was apparent in the first half but frustrations on and off the pitch slowly escalated as Royston failed to convert the numerous half chances created.
The deadlock was broken to a huge collective sigh of relief on 17 minutes by a low driven by-line free-kick from Kaan Fehmi being inadvertently deflected out of the crowd into the goal by Hayes’ Matt Murphy.
Good pass and move action from the home-side continued to prod and probe but the finishing in front of goal was woeful.
It took a slice of individual quality from Fehmi to double the lead as he went on a solo run from wide right avoiding many cumbersome and desperate challenges from scrambling defenders, whilst expecting a cross ball, for the lively forward to strike a fine finish high past the watching Damien Lafeville in the Hayes’ goal.
With the score now at 2-0 the home faithful may have expected more goals but the beleaguered visitors found the refuge of the changing room with only two scored.
With James Meredith replacing Ryan Wharton at half-time due to a broken toe the Crows retook the pitch to try and build on this score-line.
The indomitable visitors rallied admirably and scored the only goal of the second period with a scrappy, unchallenged build up ending in a purposeful finish from Max Walcott on 57 minutes.
It was three important points to Royston, but the game play and finishing wasn’t of the level expected and needed to maintain a purposeful challenge at the top. It is FA Trophy against Ryman Premier side Witham Town on Saturday and a better display will be needed if the Crows are to progress in this competition.
Team:Russo, Bradshaw, Powell, Mentis, Wharton (Meredith), Bridges Scott, Bridges Stuart, Hart, Fehmi, Ingrey, Dobson. Subs not used – Hammond, Mason, Bond, Endacott.
