| Date | Saturday 20 April 2013 |
| Match | Royston Town v Ashford Town (Middx) |
| Competition | Evo-Stik League Southern: Central Division One |
| Result | Won 2-0 |
| Royston Scorers | Fehmi(2) |
| Attendance | 182 |
| Crows MoM | Matt Standen |
Crows Cut The Ash Trees Down
By Jez Izod
The Crows play-off push continues after a scintillating second half display and two poacher's finishes by Kaan Fehmi.
With Garden Walk bathed in sunshine and the first signs of men’s shorts on display, Royston signalled their intentions with the impressive Ryan Ingrey shooting on five minutes which produced an excellent save from Paul McCarthy.
A minute later saw a smart move from Kaan Fehmi who released Ingrey in the Ash Trees area, unfortunately the official did not see the blatant push on the young attacker by Russell Canderton that should have resulted in a penalty.
With Royston pressing and the away defence rocking, Fehmi scampered down the right flank beating two defenders but his fizzing cross evaded everybody.
On 15 minutes it was the turn of Ashford to apply some pressure after a well worked move between Mario Qulassaca and Shane Gibson led to a shot from the winger, this was parried by Harry Reynolds in the home goal and the resultant follow up from Pietro Palladino was cleared by Ingrey.
With the home defence distracted on 23 minutes, Qulassaca burst into the home area and his powerful shot struck the upright and was then cleared by Jack Bradshaw.
On the half hour mark, Matt Standen created problems on the right wing and after beating Alex Duffy, his cross was met by Luke Robins who ballooned his effort over the bar.
Ten minutes from time saw the save of the match after Rob Sitch was given the freedom of Garden Walk, his magnificent effort produced a world class stop from 16 year old Reynolds, whose reputation is growing rapidly.
However a minute from the break saw the young stopper a little red faced after his attempted clearance found the corner flag and from the resultant set piece Tom Mooney’s effort was saved by Reynolds.
Whatever was said at the break seemed to work, as did the formation change and the substitution of Tommy Malins for Ross Collins. The Crows came out firing on all cylinders and were ahead almost immediately after brilliant movement from Standen and his excellent cross, found Fehmi who had the simplest task of tapping into the back of the net.
The Crows sensed blood and another excellent piece of skill from Fehmi found Endacott prowling on the edge of the area, his low effort went just wide of the upright.
The hour mark saw another impressive move from Standen, but his cross was met by a tame header from Fehmi.
Five minutes later saw the best opportunity for Ashford to level the scores after a weak punch from Reynolds allowed Qulassaca the chance to bury the ball at close range, luckily for the home side his shot went high and over the bar.
On 69 minutes the game was ended as a contest after the ball broke free to the superb Standen and after a powerful run, the winger unselfishly crossed to Fehmi who buried the ball in the Ashford onion bag.
Royston continued to press forward for a killer third goal but were denied by some staunch defending and some wasteful shooting.
The last moment of the game fell to the Ash Trees after Reynolds came out a little early but Kofi Lockart-Adams could only lob the ball over the bar.
An excellent second half performance from the Crows see’s the home side hanging on the coat-tails of Biggleswade and Beaconsfield who will be looking nervously over their shoulders as Royston press on in a magnificent season.
Our final home league game is on Tuesday 23rd April against an in-form Northwood.
Royston Town: Reynolds, Endacott, Wilson, McDevitt, Bradshaw, Collins (c) (Malins), Edwards (Spencer), Standen, Fehmi (Lockett), Ingrey, Robins Subs Not Used: Parr
