| Date | Saturday 5 November 2016 |
| Match | Chalfont St Peter v Royston Town |
| Competition | Evostik League Southern: Division One Central |
| Result | Won 4-0 |
| Attendance |
68 |
| Royston Scorers | Scott Bridges, May, Ingrey, Frendo |
| Crows MoM |
Gus Scott-Morriss |
This was a totally overwhelming display by the in-form Crows against a below par Chalfont team that were over run powerfully and often and whom had no answers to Royston’s forward play.
We saw a goalkeeper change with Joe Welch suffering from an injury and Haydn Dodge was brought in as cover. Recent centre back issues were addressed by Dan Brathwaite and Adam Murray pairing up and Danny May was asked to play in the left back position. Spyros Mentis was given a recently rare league start, resting Ryan Towner, and we saw John Frendo come back as number nine after a rest in the mid-week FA Trophy replay.
The first half produced two goals – but it could have been many more – as the Crows were rampant, if not clinical, and apart from a Chalfont free-kick from distance, that was easily caught, new keeper Dodge had an easy induction.
Dodge almost created an early score with a long central clearance that surprised both Chalfont defence and Royston striker Frendo alike and who was uncharacteristically slow to react as his stretched prod on goal was straight at home team keeper Garry Malone.
Six minutes in and it was one-nil to the visitors. A dangerous cross in from the right was met by a high leaping Scott Bridges and his well-directed header flew into the net. 0-1.
Two minutes later and the lead was doubled – again a cross in caused confusion and a subtle lay back by Martel Powell brought the pressing May into play and his powerful drive with his able left foot was palmed, but not stopped by the diving Malone. 0-2.
The dominant Crows created further good chances to score that were shared by the eager forwards and a mixture of pitch bobbles, inaccuracy, offside calls and a busy Malone kept the score down to two.
Josh Castiglione picked up a knock just before the break and Steve Castle let the change wait until half-time for review but we saw Frazer John come on to start the second half.
The home team had a rare chance with an early header that again was simply caught by Dodge.
Another change from Castle and a surprised looking Powell departed to be replaced by Towner on 51 minutes.
Two minutes later and the Crows were three up. Another superb delivery by Scott-Morriss from the right found Frendo loosely marked and he executed a difficult and athletic full volley with his less favoured right foot that bulged the net and destroyed any of the home sides dwindling resolve. 0-3.
The last Royston substitution on the hour mark brought Luke Warner-Eley on and Mentis off with May moving to midfield, allowing Warner-Eley to slot in at left back.
Again it was full visitor’s domination and pressure on goal with good chances being forged and created, but not always converted – but not for the want of desire and effort – on another day it could easily have been six or seven.
Royston did add a fourth – again from the productive boot of Scott-Morriss delivering a lower cross that Ryan Ingrey dove low to head in to complete the rout. 0-4.
This was Royston’s sixth league win running since their humiliating defeat by Barton Rovers in September, scoring 19 goals and conceding only 3, interspersed by good cup wins. The next two games are both cup ties, firstly welcoming the probably less than keen Chalfont to Garden Walk on Tuesday for a league cup clash and then on Saturday the next round of the FA Trophy with Wimborne Town making the long trip to Royston.
Team: Dodge, Scott-Morriss, May, Bridges Scott, Brathwaite, Murray, Castiglione (John), Mentis (Warner-Eley), Frendo, Powell (Towner), Ingrey.
Subs not used – Thomas, Fehmi.
