Date	Sunday 27th January 2013
Match	Royston Town Youth v Sawbridgeworth Town Youth
Competition	Royston Crow Youth Football League U15 Division 1
Result	Won 4-0
Royston Scorers	Callum 2, Sam, AJ

At last some football a pitch inspection at 10 was given the ok for a 1230 ko against Sawbridgeworth in the league which was perfect preparation for our county cup semi next week.

The pitch was not bad at all with one goal mouth a bit sticky but certainly playable.

Sawbridgeworth are always competitive and with that you need to match them physically, one plus side with the weather and us having no game for the last two weeks was that all the injuries had cleared up apart from Jack O which meant we had a  squad of fifteen to choose from. We wanted to give them all a good run out today because the match next week took preference and a lack of match fitness was a concern. We asked them to stay switched on and to take responsibility and make things happen as opposed to hope someone else does it for them. Working hard for each other would be key today as well as the physical side of there game.

We started off really well and the hunger and appetite was there for all to see and after five minutes we won a throw on by the corner flag, Ben used his long throw to great affect and as the Sawbridgeworth defence hesitated Sam reacted quickest and with a Sharpe turn smashed the ball into the roof of the net. To their credit Sawbo always looked dangerous going forward and we were not always at our best at the back putting ourselves in trouble with bad decision making. They also possessed a long throw which with the strong wind was a potent weapon but Robbie in goal always looked comfortable and got some really good punches in to clear the danger. Matt was in good form at left back and his defending as well as his support for Sam was first class and a mazy run ended without him unable to get his shot away. We were creating chances ourselves AJ and Ben both going close with long range efforts and Sam out on the left was a constant threat with his power and pace causing lots of problems. One thing we did not want today were injuries but Eamon hurt his back just before half time so we brought him straight off. The last piece of action before half time saw his replacement Jack M pull off a fantastic tackle to stop a dangerous looking Sawbo attack and soon after the half time whistle went with us 1-0 up which we just about deserved  on the balance of play.

We asked for more quality on the ball as our passing was not always the best also we were getting in good positions but our final ball was letting us down but with all things considered it was not a bad half. We reminded the boys that at 1-0 they were still in the game and the second goal was crucial.

We started the second half with good intent and you could see already with Richard and AJ in the middle of the park that things were improving with our passes and our movement and Richards vocal encouragement was also letting players know there responsibilities. Goal number two came from an unlikely source it started with Rhys battling and winning a lose ball before finding James out wide with a great pass his delivery was perfect and Callum arrived at the back post to side foot home his first goal of the season a good team goal but credit must go to Callum for gambling from his right back position. We started to move the ball better and were well on top when we won a free kick twenty five yards out Richard hit a shot which the keeper did well to save but as the ball came lose there was Callum to once again finish well for his second of the game and this put the game out of Sawbo’s reach. Sawbo were still dangerous on the break but a good block tackle from Callum and some tough tackerling from Jack M meant we kept another clean sheet. The icing was put on the cake with eight minutes left when once again the hard working Rhys won the ball and played it into AJ he beat a player before hitting a fine shot that left the keeper with no chance to round of a satisfactory performance and three points as well.

We all know that we can play better although there were two or three really good performances, today was more about getting game time for next week and getting some rustiness away, the attitude was good and that’s always a big thing for the management team, this week will be about the two training sessions we have on Thursday night and Saturday morning and making sure we prepare the best we can.

Finally with ours the only game taking place today it meant our three points moved us to the top of the table so well done boys its now up to the rest to win there games in hand to catch us.