Thursday, December 26
Royston, Hertfordshire
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Match Centre

First Team

Royston Town

1

Hitchin Town

0
Southern League 01/01/2019 @ 3:00 pm Garden Walk

Royston started the New Year with victory over Hitchin Town, as an 87th minute header from Spyros Mentis was the difference between the two sides.

As was to be expected, the game was a competitive affair, played out in front of a healthy crowd of 423, with a large number of away supporters having made the short trip along the A505.

It was Hitchin who fashioned the first opportunity, as Isaac Galliford fired just over the Crows bar within the first couple of minutes. The home team then began to exert themselves on the game, as Vance Bola saw a shot comfortably saved, before a fierce drive from Tom Newman was beaten away by Michael Johnson in the Canaries goal, with Josh Castiglione just unable to conjure anything from the loose ball.

Royston continued to push the Canaries back, with Castiglione sending a half valley just wide of the target, but gradually Hitchin worked their way into the game. Good work from away winger Alfie Cue ended with a shot that was dragged wide, but on the whole the Royston defence dealt fairly comfortably with any threat posed by the Hitchin forwards.

Royston also became less of an attacking force, as they struggled to maintain the fast tempo of the first 20 minutes and for the rest of the half never really tested Johnson, as he was able to easily collect a Rohdell Gorden shot to ensure the teams went in level at half time.

Hitchin again had first sight of goal in the second half, as Joe Welch had to get down well to save from Cue, in response Gordon saw his free kick from a dangerous position clear the crossbar. Chances were in short supply though, as defences remained on top, although Hitchin could claim to have the greater amount of pressure. The pressure nearly told as Cue found himself through on goal, but the ever dependable Welch, raced off his line to close down the forward and execute a fine save.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, Royston won a free kick on the left flank, Castiglione floated in a fine cross that was met with an unstoppable header from an unchallenged Mentis to the delight of the home contingent.

With little time left on the clock, Hitchin went in search of an equaliser, which they nearly found, as skipper Dan Webb flashed a ball across the goal that no-one could convert. This was as close as they came though, as Royston held on to claim the three points.

Royston: 1-Welch, 2-Joseph, 3-Newton, 4-Thomas, 5-Murray, 6-Brathwaite ©, 7-Castiglione, 8-Mentis, 9-Bola (15-Gallin 77), 10-Newman (16-Scott-Morriss 64), 11-Gordon (14-Green 88)

Unused: 12-Corcoran, 17-Crowther

MOM: Joe Newton

 

 

ROYSTON TOWN

 

HITCHIN TOWN

7

EFFORTS ON TARGET

2

7

EFFORTS OFF TARGET

8

2

BLOCKED SHOTS

3

11

FREE KICKS

16

5

CORNERS

4

4

YELLOW CARDS

1

0

RED CARDS

0

 

Royston Town 1 - 0 Hitchin Town

  • Tuesday 1 January 2019 @ 3:00 pm
  • Southern League 
  • Garden Walk
  • Attendance: 423
GLS
12 Dan Green Rohdell Gordon
13 Gus Scott-Morriss Tom Newman
14 Dan Gallin Vance Bola
15 Adam Crowther
16 Sam Corcoran
18
Played
11
Won
2
Drawn
5
Lost

Previous meetings

15 Nov 14 3:00 pm Herts FA Charity Cup Hitchin Town v Royston Town 1 - 2
04 Oct 16 7:45 pm League Cup Royston Town v Hitchin Town 1 - 0
28 Aug 17 3:00 pm League Hitchin Town v Royston Town 1 - 0
26 Dec 17 1:00 pm League Royston Town v Hitchin Town 2 - 1
11 Dec 18 7:45 pm League Cup Royston Town v Hitchin Town 4 - 3
01 Jan 19 3:00 pm League Royston Town v Hitchin Town 1 - 0
19 Feb 19 7:45 pm Herts FA Charity Cup Hitchin Town v Royston Town 3 - 0
22 Apr 19 3:00 pm League Hitchin Town v Royston Town 0 - 2
15 Oct 19 7:45 pm League Royston Town v Hitchin Town 1 - 1
26 Oct 20 7:45 pm League Hitchin Town v Royston Town 0 - 2
30 Aug 21 3:00 pm League Hitchin Town v Royston Town 0 - 2
27 Dec 21 1:00 pm League Royston Town v Hitchin Town 0 - 1
19 Nov 22 1:30 pm League Royston Town v Hitchin Town 4 - 2
08 Apr 23 3:00 pm League Hitchin Town v Royston Town 1 - 0
29 Jul 23 3:00 pm Herts FA Charity Cup Hitchin Town v Royston Town 2 - 1
28 Aug 23 3:00 pm League Hitchin Town v Royston Town 1 - 2
26 Dec 23 1:00 pm League Royston Town v Hitchin Town 1 - 0
24 Sep 24 7:45 pm League Royston Town v Hitchin Town 2 - 2