| Date | Saturday 8 October 2016 |
| Match | Royston Town v Egham Town |
| Competition | Buildbase FA Trophy: Preliminary Round |
| Result | Won 3-0 |
| Attendance |
144 |
| Royston Scorers | Scott Bridges, Frendo(2) |
| Crows MoM |
Adam Murray |
This was good from the much improving Crows. One team change from the decent League Cup win on Tuesday saw John Frendo replace Simon Thomas at number 9 and the Royston crowd watched a calm and confident performance demonstrating solidity at the back with Joe Welch in total control of his own game and those in front of him, with Adam Murray and Stuart Bridges combining well at centre back, good industry from Ryan Towner and Danny May (then Scott Bridges) in front of them, Martel Powell influential throughout, Kaan Fehmi looking the liveliest we have seen him for a while, Josh Castiglione continuing his good form and hitman John Frendo in lethal mood when asked to deliver.
The Crows were the better team on the day, not diminishing Egham’s ongoing great run in the FA Cup, scoring three unanswered goals and progressing to the next round with aplomb.
A tentative start from both teams led to a slowly developed dominance by the Crows and the Sarnies were gradually smothered with high tempo work from the Royston midfield ultimately controlling and dictating the game.
Danny May took a hit in the 25th minute and was replaced by Scott Bridges and the replacement stepped forward seven minutes later to power home a penalty kick, awarded after Frendo was clearly impeded in the area. 1-0.
Two minutes later and the lead was doubled this time substitute Bridges delivered a free kick that Adam Murray headed on and Frendo controlled cleanly and slotted home perfectly low past Jamie Norris in the Sarnies goal. 2-0.
The Crows continued to run this game but there was no further score in the first half.
Half time substitution brought Jack Bradshaw on for Gus Scott-Morriss at right back.
With Welch hardly engaged in this half the Crows enjoyed their superiority but couldn’t add to their goal tally. Luke Warner-Eley made his Royston debut replacing Dan Brathwaite at left back on 78 minutes.
Frendo capped a good game and whilst visibly tiring he did what he is great at – finishing off some impressive play by Ryan Towner with an accurate left foot curling shot into the top corner of the Sarnies net. 3-0.
Onwards and upwards – returning to important league action on Tuesday when the Crows could go top of the league if they beat Beaconsfield at home and 25% into the 16/17 season – we the people of Royston are starting to believe that consistency of performances from one week to the next is within the Crows’ eager grasp.
Team: Welch, Scott-Morriss (Bradshaw), Brathwaite (Warner-Eley), May (Bridges Sco), Murray, Bridges Stu, Fehmi, Towner, Frendo, Powell, Castiglione. Subs not used – Thomas, Mentis.
