| Date | Saturday 5 January 2013 |
| Match | Daventry Town v Royston Town |
| Competition | Evo-Stik League Southern: Central Division One |
| Result | Lost 4-2 |
| Royston Scorers | Ingrey, Standen |
| Attendance | 105 |
| Crows MoM | Joe De La Salle |
Rusty Royston Dismantled By Dazzling Dav!
By Jez Izod
It could have been far worse than the 4-2 scoreline, if Daventry had not squandered two penalties and several clear cut opportunities after a very poor Royston display.
Straight from the kick-off Daventry signalled their intentions with a marauding run by Nat Liburd and his cross was met by Scott Cross who shot high and wide.
A minute later Royston showed their passing abilities and after a very clever move by Kaan Fehmi, he found Ryan Ingrey who struck just wide of the Daventry goal.
After this early promise it was all Daventry with Nat Liburd running amok in the Royston defence and on 26 minutes a stinging shot from Adam Confue was superbly saved by Luke Howard in the Royston goal.
The Crows took the lead on the half hour mark after clever one touch football between Fehmi, Endacott and Ingrey found the Royston number 10 unmarked in the Daventry area and just like the new year's day game, he slammed home with most of his posterior still on the floor.
Daventry responded immediately and launched an attack up field, where Endacott was adjudged to have deliberately handled a goal bound shot. A yellow card was shown and from the resultant free kick, Guy Sanders hit a rocket that gave Howard no chance at all.
Five minutes later saw Ashley Robinson scamper down the Royston left flank where he was marshalled superbly by De La Salle only for a free kick to be awarded to the hosts. Sanders took the free kick which was expertly parried by Howard only for Robinson to head over the goal keeper and give the home side a deserved half time lead.
The second half saw Ryan Ingrey, who had suffered a stamp in the first half replaced by Sam Spencer. Daventry’s Liburd immediately launched an attack down the fragile Royston right flank and found Robinson with pin point accuracy but again the Daventry forward was rebuffed by the excellent Howard.
The Crows continued giving away silly free kicks and on the hour mark, Lee Wilson handled in the area to give Daventry the chance to extend their lead. Wilson continued to give the officials verbal and was booked for dissent. Luke Howard made himself look twice his size in the goal and Thompson-Brown duly lashed wide from the spot kick.
Royston made two changes to try and change the match with Edwards and Robins being replaced by Lockett and Standen. Ryan Lockett immediately attempted to restore parity with a turn, run and shot which was saved by Richard Morris.
On 72 minutes Thompson-Brown ghosted past Lewis Endacott and his shot rebounded off the bar where Nat Liburd was unmarked just outside the area and his bullet shot fizzed past Howard to give Daventry a 3-1 lead.
At this point Royston heads were firmly down and Daventry spurned several more clear cut opportunities to embarrass the away side further, but embarrassment was to follow 5 minutes from time when Daventry’s Liam Dolman was given the freedom of Communications Park to slam home a fourth goal.
With Royston fans praying for the final whistle Thompson-Brown was bundled over in the penalty area by Jack Bradshaw who was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card. With Howard again making himself look huge on the goal line, Thompson-Brown’s low penalty was fantastically saved by the Royston number one.
With time almost out, a rare, slick passing move from Royston found De La Salle on the right, his stinging shot was parried by Morris and Standen found the back of the net for a mere consolation goal.
So a defeat away at a very good, very experienced and very physical Daventry side will give the Crows a valuable learning experience going into the business end of the season.
Team: Howard, Endacott, Wilson, Bradshaw, De La Salle, Edwards (Lockett), Malins, Collins (c), Fehmi, Ingrey (Spencer), Robins (Standen), Sub Not Used: Parr
