ROYSTON TOWN FC v REDDITCH UNITED FC

Monday 20^th December 2021

From looking dead and buried after 47 minutes, Royston turned this game on its head to produce a thrilling comeback and return from the long trip to Redditch with 3 points.

The first half was a fairly even affair in terms of possession and territory, but whereas Redditch looked lively and threatening with their attacks, Royston struggled to create anything like a clear chance in front of goal. It was goalkeeper Dimi Kyriatzis who kept the Crows in the game, as he made a number of excellent saves, but even he could do nothing about the home team opener in the 19^th minute. Good play from Aram Soleman on the left saw him send in a cross that was turned home by Charlie Williams.

Redditch doubled their lead at the start of the second half, as a jinking run into the Royston box by Lewis Hudson saw him evade a couple of defenders, before the full back scored from fairly close in.

The Crow’s reply was swift, as skipper Adam Murray headed in a James Brighton free kick to give them hope, and this was aided by Hudson in the 55^th minute, as he turned from hero to villain, with a late challenge that was rewarded with a straight red card.

The red card and the introduction of Scott Bridges into the away side midfield completely changed the complexion of the game. Bridges was constantly looking to get on the ball and his probing passing put Redditch very firmly on the back foot. Unsurprisingly it was Bridges who fashioned the equaliser, as a pinpoint pass over the top of the home defence found Murray who had got goal side of Jamie Ashmore, who proceeded to bundle him to the ground and concede a penalty. Brandon Adams assumed responsibility from the spot and easily slotted past Kieran Boucher to draw the Crows level.

Redditch were now firmly being forced back into their own half, but Royston were once again grateful to Kyriatzis who got down low at his post to turn away a well struck free kick from Daniel Sweeney. It was however the Crows who grabbed the 3 points 4 minutes from time. Substitute Isaac Galliford collected the ball on the corner of the home penalty area. Fortunate to work his way through the initial 2 tackles, he glided past a third defender, before curling a sublime left foot effort into the bottom corner of the net to give the small, but noisy away support, an early Christmas present, as the comeback was completed.

Royston: 1-Kyriatzis, 2-Asafu-Adjaye (4-Bridges 57), 3-Mensah, 5-Murray ©, 7-Titchmarsh, 19-Mentis, 20-Newton (11-Galliford 63), 14-Brighton, 12-Newman (18-Gouldbourne 67), 9-Adams, 10-Bateman

Unused: GK-Welch, 16-Tigwell

MOM – Dimi Kyriatzis