| Date | Tuesday 22 November 2011 |
| Match | Royston Town v Takeley |
| Competition | Friendly |
| Result | Won 4-2 |
| Royston Scorers | O'Brien, Lockett, Matt Standen(2) |
This was a decent work out for the squad against very good opposition from the Essex Senior League who have recently changed management. This friendly game was an opportunity for players needing much needed match minutes to get a run out and on a decent evening for football and it turned out to be a more than worthwhile exercise.
Both teams tried to get the ball down and play with pace throughout the contest and many chances were created at both ends. Royston opened the scoring on ten minutes when Dalton O'Brien beat and outpaced the visiting centre half to race clear and slot home. The visitors deservedly levelled midway through the half when they outnumbered The Crows on a counter attck leaving Jorden Gibson exposed to a one on one finish.
It was The Crows though that led at the interval when Ryan Lockett reacted onto some defensive hesitation to clip over the keeper from a tight angle.
The second half continued in the same manor with good opporunities in an open game. The Takeley side probably had the more clear cut of these but were often just off target with their shooting. As usual though Royston always looked likely to score when they went forward. Luke Robins was unlucky to see his chip hit the crossbar before the visitors deservedly levelled mid way through the half. A surging run down the left was not stopped and a low cross was simply turned in from 6 yards.
The introduction of Matt Standen with 15 minutes remaining turned the game in Royston's favour. Only on the pitch for two minutes the forward superbly volleyed in Joe Clemo's excellent right wing cross and just moments later a great bit of indivual skill from Standen saw him beat a defender and place a low left footer into the corner of the net from 12 yards.
A late surge from the vistors saw them nearly get back nto the game with Jorden Gibson saving a penalty low to his right after a foul in the area and Matt Standen nearly finished with a late hat trick after missing a one on one chance moments from the end.
