| Date | Saturday 28 February 2015 |
| Match | Royston Town v Northwood |
| Competition | Evo-Stik Southern League: Division One Central |
| Result | Won 1-0 |
| Attendance |
146 |
| Royston Scorers | Adeboyejo |
| MoM |
Jack Bradshaw |
It wasn’t pretty – but the three points were banked by the Crows from a game of few chances on goal from either team. It took a single score to separate the sides with Royston the more positive of the two, but looking shot shy and Northwood, whilst always in this game, also looking impotent in front of goal.
Both young Leyton Orient loanees, Montal Agyemang and Victor Adeboyejo, had quiet games, struggling to adapt with the pitch surface and possibly the style of play at this level, but the latter still bagged his second goal in two games to break the painful deadlock.
With the first period mainly played in the Northwood half and Steve Castle urging patience as move after move broke down and the home team’s escalating frustration was plain to see. The Crows won two free-kicks in dangerous positions but could not threaten Berkley Laurencin’s goal either from these dead ball chances or open play.
Jack Bradshaw – operating in central midfield – had a really good all round game acting as an effective pivot and always looking to shift forward to support the front men.
However, the forgettable dour first half remained goal-less.
No immediate half time changes seen but skipper Kaan Fehmi was substituted on 55 minutes for his own protection and Gary Hart entered the fray and five minutes later Agyemang gave way to George Boot.
Better link up play was being seen with Chris Watters doing sporadic good work and Ryan Ingrey always eager to engage and it was his effort on 65 minutes – albeit over the bar – to highlight the pattern of this contest – that brought the home team’s first real goal-ward shot.
More interplay between Watters and Ingrey set up Bradshaw for a header which again went over the bar.
A few offside moves also added to the home team frustration, but the momentum was slightly increased for the Crows and Bradshaw saw another effort go wide when they found themselves in a 4 versus 2 over-load.
It was similar personnel that brought the precious goal breakthrough as Ingrey’s endeavour supplied Watters for a trademark left foot dangerous delivery and Bradshaw’s decent shot bounced back off of the post and big Victor Adeboyejo found himself perfectly placed to tap in.
Steve Castle commented afterwards: “Northwood weren’t the most positive side and we kept banging on the door. There could have been more quality from us in the final third but hopefully we can build on that. If you can play well and win all the better, but it’s all about three points now”.
Royston face Bedford on Tuesday and will be looking to secure another important win – however ugly.
Team: Yates, Wharton, Watters, Bradshaw, Powell, McDevitt, Agyemang (Boot), Bridges Stuart, Fehmi (Hart), Adeboyejo, Ingrey.
Subs not used – Lockett, Kilgallon, Scott-Morriss.
