Date	Sunday 9th December 2012
Match	Royston Town Youth v Hadley Wood & Wingate FC
Competition	Hertfordshire FA County Challenge Cup 4th Round
Result	Won 2-1
Royston Scorers	Rhys, Bradley

County Cup week for the boys with a place in the quarter final for the winners. It was a cold windy afternoon as we welcomed Hadley Wood and Wingate to the Heath, Hadley played in Division 1 of the Watford Friendly League and they had beaten Knebworth in a previous round so we knew it would be a tough test.

We had thirteen players to choose from with this season’s injury jinx continuing but on a bright note we welcomed back James R.With last weeks match called off and training on Thursday like wise we called the boys in for a session on Saturday morning just to blow away any cob webs. We asked for commitment and desire two things we have talked about lots this season as well as belief as they sometimes need reminding what a good side they are, with the strong wind it was essential we kept the ball on the ground and they needed to talk more although that has improved lately.

We are quite a big side but Hadley were quite a bit bigger than us so we were going to have to show our physical side if we were going to get anything from this game. We started slowly and Hadley was imposing themselves on the game and we were on the back foot and not competing as I know we can. They forced a corner on ten minutes and slack marking by us allowed a free header and we found ourselves one down and feeling quite sorry for ourselves which is not like us at all. We needed some inspiration from some where and the turning point for me came after fifteen minutes when first Ben chassed down a player and made a great tackle followed quickly by Rhys who also put himself about then Eamon who went on a great run after again winning a big tackle. This spread around the team and we were now competing all around the pitch and Hadley now new they were not going to bully us. Twenty three minutes on the clock and a good move down our right ended with Bradley putting over a teasing cross and Rhys powered home a header which the keeper got hands to but could not keep out. The game was turning into a tight affair with both defences on top and both teams could be commended on there passion and effort and we went in all square at half time.

Their big number ten was causing us some problems so we wanted to get closer to him and keep competing, we also noticed they were tiring towards the half so it was important that when we got the ball we kept it and made them work hard to get it back. We were sure that if we kept playing the same way as we did in the last twenty minutes we would get a positive result.

Both teams started the second half as if they meant business and were trying to gain the upper hand; we started to curve out the better chances although in all honesty both defences were coping well. With twenty minutes to go we started to win the midfield battle with Richard and AJ now on top and our fitness was beginning to tell we could sense they were for the taking and so it proved because with ten minutes left Richard showed a great piece of vision with a thirty yard pass inside the full back which Bradley ran onto and hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net which started great celebrations amongst the players. We had to see the game out and this is what we did with all the boys showing the desire needed and we were through to the last eight of the county cup a great achievement and one which was fully deserved.

Robbie – No alarms for Robbie in goal and his chat was first class.

Callum – Solid performance linked up well with Bradley grew into the game.

Alasdair – Was outstanding at the heart of the defence.

Jack M – Stood up to be counted when the tackles were flying in.

Eamon – Inspirational and the run he went on in the first half was fantastic.

James B – Worked hard for the team and good on the ball.

AJ – Worked hard in the engine room and his passing was a feature.

Richard – Slow start by his standards but took control of the game and won his battle with the big number 10.

Bradley – One goal and one assist was always busy.

Rhys – He ran his socks off up front never gave them a moment’s piece and took his goal really well.

Ben – Like Rhys gave his all and put himself about in the right places.

Jack O – Never gave the ball away and played in three different positions doing a good job for the team in each one.

James R – Came on at half time and was looking good until a recurrence of his injury forced him off.

We battled, dug in and then won the game so proud of you all today as managers we love seeing you play passing football but today was just as pleasing, desire and commitment we had it by the bucket load now lets all have the belief to carry this on.