With the Women’s FA Cup having significantly increased the winner’s purse for each round, Manager Lewis Endacott had viewed our postponed game the previous weekend as an ideal opportunity to watch Hertford in action.
The report back to the team was that we were facing a young, energetic side who are well coached and like to play football ALL the time with pace all over the pitch. The Crows, therefore, set up in an attacking formation to take the game to our opponents from the onset.
To be fair to Hertford the opening minutes were evenly balanced, with Hertford proving the report to be very accurate – lots of energy, high pressing, and good football
However, on 10 minutes the experience of the Royston team started to shape the game – some quick passing in the middle of the pitch ended up with the ball at EMMA SLATER’s feet some 20 yards from goal, the resulting shot ending up in the top left-hand corner of the goal.
This didn’t demoralise the spirited Hertford team who had a chance of their own on 12 mins when a through ball was collected by Goalkeeper Amy Martin just ahead of the on-rushing forward – but it was Royston who were now dictating play, keeping the ball moving with some excellent one and two-touch passing, with Becky and Emma, in particular, giving the left back nightmares with their pace down Royston’s right-hand side.
On 23 minutes Becky again got behind Hertford’s defence and put in another low cross that went in off a defender’s knee for an OWN GOAL – 2-0
Further goals from GEMMA CROUCHER (2) and NATALIE RICHARDSON (another two assists for Becky!!), gave the Crows a 5-0 halftime lead their play deserved
The expected rejuvenated spirit was evident in Hertford’s early approach to the second half, however some good individual footwork, with the ball, in the area gave AMY JOSLAND (AJ) an opportunity to slide the ball past the keeper for number 6 on 50 mins
Royston Town had to wait until the 68th minute for goal number 7 – and what a special goal for POPPY SMITH, scoring with a slide rule finish past the keeper for her first goal for the Crows, on her debut having reached the ripe old age of 16 just a few days earlier!!
Fair play to Hertford, they kept going and were rewarded with a goal on 78 mins – a clearance from Royston ended up on the head of a Hertford forward in front of goal, a firm header past Amy was celebrated by the travelling support, who had contributed to a new Royston Town Women’s attendance record of 151 (Thank you all!)
Royston’s ability to keep the ball with simple passing paid more dividends towards the end of the game when a tiring Hertford conceded 2 more goals through POPPY SMITH and Skipper AMY COOPER for a final score line of 9-1
And so, our journey in this year’s FA Cup continues ….
Shout out to Hertford’s keeper (some good saves during the game), POPPY SMITH for 2 goals on her debut and Player of the match (nominated by game sponsor Mike Ratcliff and family) BECKY CHARTER
