Date	Sunday 5th May 2013
Match	Royston Town Youth v Welwyn Pegasus (Game 1)
Competition	Royston Crow Youth Football League U15 Division 1
Result	Won 2-1
Royston Scorers	Sam, Eamon

This is my sixth year as manager of this team and it’s the first time I have had to play a double header, I had been warned of the problems this may cause but for me a new experience and one I wondered how the boys would handle. We arrived at Welwyn for our home game to find a bumpy pitch which had a fair slope to it but a good covering of grass and with the sun out and no wind this was going to be a tough day for the boys.

I had fourteen to choose from, Bradley was out injured and Richard had a stomach bug over night and losing both those boys was a blow as today would be about resting boys at the right time. Welwyn and ourselves are really fighting for third and fourth place so it was important we did well today.

We wanted a good start from the boys today, they had to have a good first touch on this pitch as well, we wanted them to keep it simple and work hard for each other.

Well what a start we came flying out the blocks and started as well as I can remember and within two minutes we had taken the lead. Rhys picked the ball up just out side the area showed great quick feet in beating two players before sliding the ball to Sam who finished with a low shot into the corner. Rhys and James B were a real menace with their intelligent running off the ball. We continued to make the running with the midfield of AJ, Sam, James R and Eamon well on top and we were creating some chances without extending our lead. Welwyn forced a corner from their first attack and from that corner which had a good delivery the centre half made a run to the far post to head home unchallenged, this was a real sloppy goal from us and did knock us back for a while and the half time whistle went with the score 1-1 but we now had to defend the slope.

We had played some really good football in that first half but that one moment when we switched off had cost us and we had to make sure that did not happen again. It really was a simple team talk because the rest of our play was really good.

Another good start to the second half and within five minutes we were back in front ,the ball was only half cleared it came out to Eamon who hit a shot from twenty five yards the ball took a bad bounce in front of the keeper and we had the lead back. Robbie in goal and the back four of Callum, Alasdair, Jack M and Matt defended really well and although Welwyn had more of that second half we always looked dangerous on the break with Ben causing them problems with his physical presence, Ross and Jack O also played their part and we deservedly won the first game 2-1.

We found some shade got the boys in it congratulated them on that first game but reminded them how important the second one was as well.