Date	Saturday 5 September 2015
Match	Royston Town v Hanwell Town
Competition	Evostik League Southern: Division One Central
Result	Won 2-0
Attendance	161
Royston Scorers	Mason(2)
MoM	Rob Mason

Putting last week’s FA Cup disappointment behind them Royston re-grouped for their next league action – a visit from low lying Hanwell Town whom have undergone many changes since our clashes last season but who would still provide a spirited challenge.

A late goal in each half from man of the match Robbie Mason was enough to secure the three points and make it three consecutive league wins, but the score-line doesn’t reinforce the actual possession domination the Crows enjoyed – whilst still finding it difficult to convert this game play superiority to goals.

With George Powell being moved to right back, Liam McDevitt and Jack Bradshaw at centre backs and Chris Watters at left back the defence was once again rejigged, the Bridges brothers started a game together in the heart of the midfield, flanked by Luke Robins and Rhys Hoenes with Ryan Ingrey – returning fully from injury – supporting striker Rob Mason – with the bench looking youthful and eager.

Royston started with their tails up – pushing their reticent visitors back early and often and Hoenes’ movement was once again a big factor and he had two early efforts that were blocked. Hanwell, looking to break quickly, nearly caught their hosts out and Bradshaw was forced into a lunging, card inducing, tackle to thwart the chance.

A powerful run by Ingrey brought a low effort that drifted just wide of the post and a well worked corner routine saw Bradshaw arrive late and power a well-connected header also wide. More off target finishing was evident as Ingrey and Stuart Bridges linked up well to supply Robins but his header went over the bar.

Ron Yates did well on 33 minutes as Hanwell broke away again, blocking convincingly and a Hoenes run and cross fell just behind Robins’ own run but he did well to shift his body position to still get in a header on target – but Hanwell keeper, Cain Davies – collected simply.

Royston’s possession play and movement of the ball was good throughout the half as they created the higher share of the halves’ chances and the domination in play was mainly with the home side with sometimes the final ball being hasty or over ambitious conceding the ball whilst exposed and letting their visitors see a chance of a break too often.

That being said the Crows got the lead in first half added time as another well worked training ground corner routine saw good interplay between Hoenes, Stuart Bridges and Ingrey resulting in initially a blocked effort on goal, but big Rob Mason reacted quickest falling backwards powering in a low firm finish. 1-0.

The second half was a similar affair. Gus Scott-Morris replaced Watters at left back on 55 minutes and Ingrey and Robins gave way to Josh Castiglione and debutant Kaine Wright – but the overall formation didn’t change too much.

The spoiling fouls of the visitors didn’t help the flow of this game through-out the half and the resultant Royston free-kicks didn’t really test Hanwell’s defence or keeper and a period of counter punch pressure from the visitors brought their own half chances and forced corners that were scrambled clear by the organised Royston defenders.

With the home crowd nervous that their team would surrender their slender lead Yates made a good block save with five minutes to go and as the game stretched out there were good chances for the Crows to score another but the choice of play from the hosts shifted to corner of the pitch possession stand offs – but to ultimately ease the nerves of the Royston faithful it fell again to Mason to score in added time. The ball fell to the big striker on the edge of the 18 yard box and he struck a good low shot into the bottom left hand corner to seal the points. 2-0.

Team: Yates, Powell, Watters (Scott-Morriss), Bradshaw, McDevitt, Bridges Scott, Bridges Stuart, Hoenes, Ingrey (Castiglione), Mason, Robins (Wright).

Subs not used – Ryan, Towner.