Date | Sunday 13 March 2011 |
Match | Royston Town v Lodge Youth |
Competition | Eastern Junior Alliance: Ingilby Cup (Qtr Final) |
Result | Won 4-2 |
Royston Scorers | Webb, Pemberton (2 pens), Mullings |
Royston Town progressed into the Ingilby Cup semi final after defeating Lodge Youth FC at Garden Walk.
With a lack of personnel and with players playing in unfamiliar roles, Royston looked disjointed and disinterested and Lodge started the better of the two sides but only forced Harry Williams in the home goal to make simple routine saves. Royston never gained any real control of the half, however captain Ryan Webb nearly scored against the run of play but for a great save, The young Crows were caught napping right before half-time as Lodge had the ball in the net, fortunately the linesman's flagged was raised for offside.
Half Time 0-0
Royston entered the second half in a better manner, gained momentum and a free kick on the edge of the 18 yard area was fiercely struck by Webb to put the home side ahead. Royston controlled and pressed for a second goal and a routine ball over the top saw Ollie Pemberton run on only to be taken down and referee to award a penalty, despite being last man the Lodge skipper found himself lucky to still be on the pitch. Pemberton stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and put his side 2-0 up.
To Lodge’s credit they never gave up and when Keeper Williams spilled a regulation take, saw the Lodge striker ram home the loose ball from eight yards. 2-1
Royston in the past have crumbled but stayed strong and looked for an extra goal advantage and another superb Webb set piece found Jahmel Mullings, who powerfully headed home the third, 3-1.
Another penalty from Pemberton finalized Royston scoring and Lodge added another to complete the score which saw Town's youth progress through to their first semi final of the season.
Manager Jorden Gibson commented after the game ‘We made harder work than what it should have been, We weren’t there in the first half and never looked like taking control, the basics weren’t there. The second half was a completely different matter, we showed more desire and conviction in our play which ultimately gave us, in the end, a deserved victory.‘.