| Date | Tuesday 27 March 2012 |
| Match | Royston Town v Hillingdon Borough |
| Competition | Molten Spartan South Midlands Football League: Premier Division |
| Result | Won 1-0 |
| Royston Scorers | Collins |
| Man of Match | Ross Collins |
| Attendance | 100 |
An excellent evening for Paul Attfield's side as secured another vital three points and with Tring Athletic defeating Dunstable Town 2-0 on the same evening The Crows opened up a three point lead at the top with six games remaining.
Hillingdon arrived in mid table and on a dismal run of just one win in thirteen outings but at times, especially in the second half, belied these statistics as they pushed the home side until the final whistle.
Another pleasing aspect was the availability of nearly everyone in the squad, for the first occasion in a very long time, with no suspensions or injuries impending giving Paul Attfield some nice selection issues.
Royston played very well in the first half but the visitors showed why they had one of the best defensive records in the division. Playing with just a lone striker they packed the midfield and sat deep when The Crows had good possession and made it difficult to get in behind them. The hosts had much of the ball but just lacked a killer final movement or final ball when they got around the area and due to that the keeper was rarely tested
A few half chances missed the target from open play and from set plays again the crosses just eluded commanding players in the air. Best chances of the half fell to Luke Robins who flashed an angled drive just wide and three times to Ryan Lockett who just failed to get decent connection on crosses from Luke Robins and Lewis Endacott, with all efforts just going wide.
Hillingdon despite being technically good couldn't get much support to their lone striker and created no worthy chances to test Will Norris and so the half finished goalless.
The visitors obviously felt they could get more from the game and played a more attacking formation in the second half and created a clear chance within four minutes. A forward reacted on a poor clearance and hit a lobbed shot goalwards from some 40 yards that Will Norris did superbly well to turn onto the crossbar.
Within seconds Royston also hit the crossbar when Lewis Endacott ventured forward with a mazy run and 20 yarder that hit the underside of the bar.
The Crows then had a good period and had the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot when Jack Bradshaw was adjudged to have fouled by a combination of keeper and defender but the normally reliable Kaan Fehmi had his kick superbly turned aside.
The miss was forgotten just two minutes later as good work from Fehmi, Bradshaw and Robins played in Lockett to the goal line and his cut back was turned in by Ross Collins. Robins then half-volleyed wide from a good position and Fehmi's free kick was tipped away at full stretch.
Hillingdon gradually asserted some decent pressure of their own as they introduced more attack minded players and The Crows had to defend well. One header from a good left wing cross just missed the target but the defending was strong from the Royston team and Will Norris only had regulation saves to make.
A last minute breakaway from Royston saw Matt Standen cross for Tom Malins to bring another fine block from the keeper and that was the last chance in a really entertaining game.
Team: Norris, Endacott, Bradshaw, McGrandles, Beck, Collins, Edwards, Clemo (Matt Standen), Fehmi (Martin Standen), Lockett (Malins), Robins – Unused: Friend, Young
