Date | Tuesday 13 September 2011 |
Match | Royston Town v Totternhoe |
Competition | Spartan South Midlands League: Challenge Trophy (R1) |
Result | Won 5-3 |
Royston Scorers | O'Brien(2), Diedhiou, Young, K. Fehmi |
Man of Match | Jack Harris |
Attendance | 85 |
The Crows made quite light work of beating previously unbeaten Division Two side Totternhoe in the league cup on Tuesday evening with only some eccentric decision making from the referee keeping the visitors interested in the later stage of the game.
Paul Attfield made nine changes from the starting team that played Aylesbury United on Saturday with only Jack Bradshaw and Ricky Young named again. There was a start for winger Josh Bronti returning to the club after spells at Langford and Stotfold and a debut for forward Seny Diedhiou who played at Langford last season. In the second half 16 year old youth team player Matt Brennan was also given a first competitive chance.
After a tame start to the game that the hosts always looked in control of the home side managed to race into a three goal lead with three counter attack goals in the last 15 minutes of the half.
First a quick venture forward from Bronti saw him outpace the defence, draw the keeper and square fro O'Brien to convert and just a minute later another quick break saw Seny Diedhiou react on a mis-kicked clearance and volley into the net from ten yards.
Right on half time Ashley Grinham broke free down the left and crossed for OBrien to head home number three.
With the game looking more than comfortable Royston started the second half well and created a few early openings with one being converted. Ricky Young picked up the ball just outside the area and his low effort was slightly deflected off a defender before entering the net.
With the visitors showing good fight but finding it hard to create any clear chances they were awarded a penalty which was clear to all to be a great tackle in the area but the main person thought otherwise. Luke Howard guessed right but the ball momentum just took it over the line.
With 15 minutes left Royston were awarded a penalty of their own when Ricky Young was caught by two tackles and Kaan Fehmi sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
The visitors had a late surge scoring a second with a good volley from close range following a corner and then were gifted another even harsher penalty than the first following a shoulder to shoulder in the area with the visiting player not strong enough but his fall was deemed effective enough. There was little more time for any other chances but in the end the superiority of The Crows was more evident than the final scoreline suggests
Team: Howard, Whitaker (Endacott), Grinham (Brennan), Bradshaw, Cain, Harris, Edwards, Bronti, O'Brien (K. Fehmi), Diedhiou, Young Unused: Lockett Collins