Royston Town fell to a 3-0 defeat against Stamford at Garden Walk, a result that confirmed the visitors’ Step 3 status for another season. Played on a difficult, dusty and bobbly surface, the game never truly found a rhythm, with both sides struggling to gain control.
Stamford threatened early, with Cavallo firing wide from distance on 3 minutes, before Brad Smith responded in kind for the Crows a minute later. A long throw caused problems for Royston on 15 minutes, and the visitors made their pressure count soon after. On 18 minutes, Ryan Wilson curled a free-kick around the wall and beyond 18-year-old debutant Freddie Swinburn to give Stamford the lead.
Royston nearly responded immediately, but Joey Iaciofano’s header drifted just wide. Swinburn showed bravery on 32 minutes, standing firm despite a heavy challenge, while Reece Nicholas-Davies forced a good save before the break.
The second half remained scrappy, though Jack Davis came closest to an equaliser on 67 minutes, striking the post with a superb effort. Controversy followed on 70 minutes when Davis went down with a suspected head injury, but the referee allowed play to continue and Leon Lobjoit capitalised, nicking the ball past Swinburn and rolling it into the empty net.
Pushing forward late on, Royston were caught out again on 88 minutes, with Charlie Marzano adding a third to seal victory and Step 3 safety for Stamford.
STAR MAN: Ed Asafu-Adjaye
Match Rating: 2/5
