| Date | Saturday 28 July 2012 |
| Match | Royston Town v Takeley |
| Competition | Pre-Season Friendly |
| Result | Won 3-1 |
| Royston Scorers | Fehmi, Collins, Matt Standen |
This was The Crow's fifth pre-season friendly and whilst the performances have been good with the players gradually reaching good fitness levels a number of injuries has meant Paul Attfield has had to experiment much in the last two games with a mixture of first, reserve and youth team players gaining this good result.
The side maybe showed a degree of tiredness in areas of this game after the demands of Thursday night’s tough encounter at Arlesey Town but despite the less fluent performance the final scoreline was merited.
Royston scored in the first minute, Josh Bronti shutting down a defensive ball forward and feeding Matt Standen who crossed for Kaan Fehmi to volley home from 6 yards.
Takeley responded well with a good period of possession and won a number of corners with a couple of headers from early deliveries just off target. From open play though the visitors created little in the first half and although Royston often were guilty of giving the ball away they still created the best chance of the half. Kaan Fehmi controlled a Lee Wilson cross and his drive towards the keeper's near post was turned aside and Matt Standen had the best chance when his free header from eight yards was directed straight at the keeper from a Dan Apostolos cross.
Roger Skeggs was denied by the keeper in a one on one situation as was Martin Standen whose near post header from a corner was blocked on the line just before half time.
The second half continued in the same vein but a first team debut for 16 year old pacey left winger Dejon Mullings was another encouraging sign for Paul Attfield. He was unlucky not to score when his surging run and one-two on the edge of the box ended with an 18 yard volley well saved by the keeper.
The visitors equalised on 57 minutes when Greig Taylor broke the offside trap to slot past Will Norris.
Royston's best period of the game was the final quarter when they gained significant control and a swift return of their attractive passing game which created numerous chances. A foul on Ryan Ingrey in the area with 20 minutes remaining gave Jack Bradshaw the chance from the spot but although his effort was well saved the visitors fell asleep and the right wing cross was turned in by Ross Collins from 6 yards.
Ryan Ingrey headed another Dan Apostolos cross inches wide and Matt Brennan sent a close range header from a corner onto the crossbar before Matt Standen completed the scoring when he rifled home from close range after Takeley failed to clear another cross.
Squad: Norris, Apostolos, Wilson, Bradshaw, Martin Standen, Collins, Ingrey, Skeggs, Matt Standen, Fehmi, Bronti, Butler, Brennan, Debnam, Mullings
