A commanding first half display ensured Royston didn’t endure another early cup exit against a step 4 side, as they returned from deepest Essex with a well-deserved 3-0 victory.

All the damage was done in the first half, as despite a lively first five minutes from the hosts, the Crows dominated proceedings scoring 3 goals without reply.

The scoring was opened in the 11^th minute as the first real attack from the visitors resulted in a corner. A deep delivery from Sam Corcoran found the imposing presence of Adam Murray with the freedom of the penalty area. A downwardly directed header was well saved by home keeper Ben McNamara, but he was only able to push the ball outwards, where James Potton reacted quickest to stab in the opener.

Five minutes later Vance Bola thought he had extended the Crows lead, but saw his effort chalked off for offside, but he was not to be denied just 3 minutes later. Pouncing on Spyros Mentis’ lobbed ball over the home defence he drilled a fist time effort low into the corner, that McNamara couldn’t keep out despite getting his fingers to the well struck shot.

With Corcoran and Potton controlling things in midfield and willing runners Bola and Rhodell Gordon causing problems down the flanks, it continued to be one-way traffic. Chances came and went as Corcoran was unlucky to see his curling effort rebound off the bar and Potton shot wide from a training ground corner routine.

The third goal the first half performance deserved came on the stroke of half time, as the ever hard-working Murray, charged down a clearance and raced through to finish past McNamara with some ease.

With the tie effectively over the second half was a more mundane affair, although Royston were greatly hampered by having to play the last 25 minutes with 10 men. The first 20 minutes of the half saw Royston remain in control without seriously threatening to increase their lead, with just a couple of off-target Ben Martin headers to show for their supremacy. Having used all 3 substitutes the Crows were forced down to 10 men, as Gus Scott-Morriss was carried off with a painful looking injury, midway through the half.

From this point on the Crows retreated somewhat, looking to hold onto their 3 goal lead. The extra man gave the home side renewed inspiration and they started to make inroads through the Crows defence but they were unable to find a way past the impressive Joe Welch in the away team goal. Having had very little to do for the first 75 minutes Welch was called into action initially to tip over a fierce drive. With Maldon looking to get the goal that would give them a foothold in the game. Welch was again called into action with 10 minutes left, as he made an excellent double save that ensured there would be no nervous few minutes at the end for Steve Castle’s men. The home side continued to press and were again denied the goal they probably deserved, by another Welch double save in the 90^th minute and when the home side eventually found a way past Welch in the 94^th minute, they were denied by an excellent goal line block by Mentis.

All in all, a thoroughly deserved win for the Crows, with the 3^rd goal on the stroke of half time probably the most decisive moment. Hopefully the reward will be a home tie in the next round.

Royston: 1-Welch, 2-Scott-Morriss, 3-Norville-Williams, 4-Mentis, 5-Martin, 6-Brathwaite © (14-Thomas 46), 7-Potton, 8-Corcoran (12-Castiglione 62), 9-Murray (15-Assombalonga 57), 10-Bola, 11-Gordon

Unused: 16-O’Keefe, 18-Ellesley

Attendance: 88

Crows MOM: Joe Welch