ROYSTON TOWN FC v AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS FC

Saturday 12^th October 2022

An 81st-minute penalty from Royston substitute Matt Bateman secured the 3 points for the home side and gave them their first win in seven games.

The Crows took an early lead as Ronnie Henry was on hand to finish from close range in the 7th minute after Adam Murray had headed back a deep corner from Nathan Tshikuna. The Diamonds nearly responded straight away as Dimi Kyriatzis had to be alert to turn away Fraser Corden’s long-range effort.

Royston continued in the ascendency as Connor Furlong, Alfie Williams and Tshikuna were all denied by Dean Snedker in the AFC goal. The Diamonds got themselves in some good areas but struggled to penetrate the home defence, although Royston were indebted to a fine point-blank range save from Kyriatzis, as he turned Jack Connor’s effort over, right on the stroke of half-time.

The away side were not to be denied for long though, as in the 53rd minute Miguel Ngwa scored an equaliser from the edge of the box, as his low effort beat Kyriatzis at his near post.

The game became increasingly stretched as both sides looked to attack. Murray should really have scored for the home side, as a long Joel Nakatani-Brown ball was not dealt with by the away defence, but he blasted his effort straight at Snedker and it bounced away to safety.

And so it was left to Bateman to slot home the winner, as he calmly despatched the penalty after Kartell Dawkins was possibly harshly penalised for a close-range handball and give the Crows a much-needed 3 points.

Royston: 13-Kyriatzis, 2-Da Silva, 3-Nakatani-Brown, 4-Mentis (16-Bell-Toxtle 79), 5-Murray ©, 6-Henry, 7-Robson (17-Bateman 70), 8-Williams, 10-Tshikuna, 11-Furlong (15-Harness 60), 20-Newton

Unused – 12-Keane, 14-Bustamante

MOM – Adam Murray