| Date | Tuesday 19 April 2011 |
| Match | Royston Town v Oxhey Jets |
| Competition | South Midlands Floodlight Cup: Semi-Final |
| Result | Won 6-1 |
| Royston Scorers | Malins, McGrandles, Turl, Matt Standen, :Lawrence(2) |
| Man of Match | Rhys Lawrence |
| Attendance | 126 |
On Tuesday evening Royston Town FC hosted Oxhey Jets in the semi-final of the South Midlands Senior Floodlit Cup looking to earn the right to play Tring Athletic in the final and also seeking to keep the hope of retaining the trophy for the third year running alive.
Royston were dominant throughout this match creating many scoring chances and converting six to completely overrun their opponents by a final score of 6-1.
The Crows were on the front foot from the start putting good pressure on the Jets’ goal with the home team playing some controlled and probing football. Ross Collins and Tom Malins both had good early chances but the scoring was opened on 15 minutes when a throw in got an important flick on that was half parried for Malins to head in unchallenged at the back post. Oxhey struggled to create their own chances on goal and Royston’s keeper Jorden Gibson’ only real contribution in the first half was a few back passes and goal kicks to deal with. The Jets repelled several Crow attacks until injury time in the first half brought the second goal. A superbly delivered Jack Bradshaw free kick was headed in by John McGrandles and the half finished with Royston undoubtedly on top but with just the two goal lead.
In the second half Royston were similar in their approach and set up play but this period they were much more clinical in front of goal. Six minutes in Collins delivered a ball into the danger area and Will Turl executed a low overhead kick and his strong connection took a deflection and found the net. Just two minutes later saw the Crows’ fourth with Turl this time playing the role of provider putting in a pin-point accurate cross to find Matt Standen’s head and his effort went back across the goal with the Jets’ keeper just getting a hand to it but was unable to keep it out. Oxhey clawed a goal back with their first real shot on target, Chris Killer’s tame, but on target, effort freakishly hit a divot and the ball reared up over Gibson’s despairing dive giving him no chance. Undeterred Royston pushed on hungry for more goals and their fifth came in the 69th minute when Rhys Lawrence connected first time to a Collins set up and his strong accurate shot found the goal. The game went into a quiet period but was brought back to life with the goal of the match. Turl got his head to a high cross just forcing the ball up into the air and Lawrence watched it all the way connecting with a brilliant volley from just outside the box that rocketed into the net for an outstanding finish.
In this mood Royston are a force to be reckoned with and all game their approach work and creative movement to force chances on goal was great to see. Tring Athletic will prove stiffer opposition in the final but the Crow’s look eager to bring home some silverware to reward their efforts over this long hard season.
Team: Gibson, Endacott, Bradshaw, Cain, McGrandles (Apostolos), Edwards, Collins (C) (Klein), Malins, Turl, Matt Standen (Young), Lawrence. Subs not used – Lockett.
