ROYSTON TOWN FC v NEEDHAM MARKET FC
Saturday 5th February 2022
Royston escaped from Needham Market with a point, having for the vast majority of the match looked likely to leave empty-handed.
Having played second fiddle to a well-drilled home side, a grandstand finish from the Crows saw them gain a point that very nearly turned into 3, bar an excellent save from Marcus Garnham in the 95th minute and a goalmouth scramble in the 96th minute that was ultimately hacked to safety by the home defence.
The comeback had been sparked off in the 88th minute by Finlay Titchmarsh. A driving run from just inside the Marketmen half saw him advance towards the edge of the box. With the defence in retreat, he continued unopposed to the edge of the box, before unleashing a fierce drive that found the back of the Needham net via the inside of the post.
The equaliser arrived in the second minute of injury time, a hopeful punt forwards into the box fell kindly for substitute Brandon Adams, who did not need a second invitation to half volley home.
For much of the game, it was Needham who looked the more assured in possession, although blustery conditions made constructive football hard. The home side took the lead in the 19th minute, as an incisive ball forward from Ipswich loanee Callum Page found Thomas Maycock, whose left-footed shot gave the returning Dimi Kyriatzis no chance.
The second goal arrived in the 71st minute as a long ball forward caught out a hesitant Crows defence, with Luke Ingram racing clear and expertly guiding a lob over the advancing Kyriatzis to give what the home crowd thought would be a game-clinching moment.
Having been second best for so much of the game, it was to the Crows credit that they staged the late fight back and in the process keep above the Marketmen in the league.
Royston: 1-Kyriatzis, 6-Henry, 20-Newton, 5-Murray A ©, 7-Titchmarsh, 8-Murray M (9-Adams 63), 19-Mentis, 14-Brighton, 12-Newman (16-Gouldbourne 74), 10-Bateman, 11-Galliford
Unused: 13-Welch, 2-Asafu-Adjaye, 3-Mensah
MOM – Finlay Titchmarsh
| ROYSTON TOWN | NEEDHAM MARKET | |
| 4 | EFFORTS ON TARGET | 2 |
| 3 | EFFORTS OFF-TARGET | 2 |
| 2 | BLOCKED SHOTS | 2 |
| 11 | FREE KICKS AWARDED | 12 |
| 3 | CORNERS | 0 |
| 3 | YELLOW CARDS | 1 |
| 0 | RED CARDS | 0 |
