| Date | Sunday 10 February 2013 |
| Match | Saffron Walden Town Vets v Royston Town Vets |
| Competition | Cambs FA Vets Invitation League |
| Result | Won 3-2 |
| Royston Scorers | Humphreys, Holden, Leete |
Royston Town Vets travelled to Catons Lane for a Cambs Vets Invitation League 1 match against a powerful Saffron Walden team and after a very competitive game on a quagmire of a pitch Town were good value for their 3-2 victory.
Town raced into a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes. Paddy Coughlin sent over a fine cross from the right and Nick Humphreys beat his full back to the ball to head into the far corner of the net for the opener and then Steve Holden got the final touch to the ball following a goalmouth scramble in the 6-yard area to extend the lead. Peter Leete then had a good chance with a free kick from 25 yards but the ball went wide of the target.
Town then gifted the hosts two goals. Humphreys’ free kick on the left found a Saffron Walden player instead of a team-mate and Walden broke away to score. An intended back pass to ‘keeper Simon Dobson from Geoff Pinner stuck in the mud and was intercepted by an onrushing forward to slot past Dobson for Walden’s equaliser.
The second half was a tetchy affair with both sides struggling to play football on a difficult pitch. Walden’s ex-QPR player Stuart Wardley was put clear of Town’s defence but his rasping right foot shot was brilliantly pushed round the post by Dobson.
Town had what appeared to be a clear penalty claim dismissed by the referee when Steve Starling was upended by a defender in the penalty area and was denied again when the referee deemed the foul was committed outside the 18-yard area. Justice came Town’s way from the resultant free kick when Leete hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from 20 yards to give Town a deserved winner.
Town’s central defenders Nick Baggaley and Steve Holden were outstanding throughout the game and Steve Starling’s control and pace up front were a constant threat to the home defence.
Royston Town Vets: S.Dobson, P. Coughlin, S. Holden, N.Baggaley, G.Pinner (A.Smith 45), N.Humphreys, W.Hargreaves, (N.King 65), K.Barthrop, C.Silenti, J.Moulding, P.Leete, S.Starling. I.Allen (not used)
Town are scheduled to play Therfield Fox & Duck next week at Garden Walk.
