Home Match Reports Archive Constitution Policies Contact Directions Sponsors

Royston Town Youth U10 v Hitchin Town Youth Arrows U10

Sunday, September 30 2007

The Arrows arrived at Royston sitting proudly top of the table after two convincing victories to start their first 'competitive' season. However the fast free flowing football that got them there was nowhere to be seen as the boys today seemed well out of sorts.
 
Royston were quicker to most things from the start and were collectively up for it. Hitchin really didn’t have time to settle into the game before the hosts enjoyed a purple patch which looked like producing a goal every time they got the ball.
 
On just 4 minutes a nice piece of skill from their dangerous no. 7 drew two Hitchin players towards the ball, leaving an unmarked player to receive the ball on the edge of the area and strike low past Peter in goal. Things got worse immediately as a cross-shot found its way into the corner, then quicker reactions by them in the box made it 3-0 within 7 mins. A disastrous start was completed when a Royston player was left unmarked again at the far post to head home a fourth on 9 mins.
 
With the game seemingly out of reach, the boys did very well to stem the tide and keep the now eager and confident white shirts from adding to their tally, Peter making some useful stops in the process.
 
At last Hitchin began create chances, Peters clearance bouncing over defenders and Joe shot narrowly wide. On half time the ball broke for Karl to shoot on target, only for a Royston arm to get in the way, Karl himself putting away a confident penalty.

4-1 Half Time. 
 
Time for some stern words from Chris, who up until this game had only seen some devastating attacking footie from the boys.
 
The second half started brighter for the Arrows and the supporters hoped more than sensed a comeback. Five minutes in though, all hopes were dashed however when the ref levelled things up rather harshly and Royston made it 5 from the penalty spot. Brave performances today from the defence Gianni, Ben and especially Sam F who made a number of timely blocks and also Peter who showed good hands do deter a number of home efforts. 
 
Chris' boys were feeding off scraps going forward rather than creating anything near their best with Joe and Karl again going close towards the end but the worthy winners rubbed salt into the wounds with a sixth in the 27th? minute of a stop-start half.  Final

Result: Royston Town  6 Hitchin Town Arrows 1
 
A bit of a wake up call and hopefully just a blip. Had the boys been out with bleary-eyed Steve French the night before? 
 
report by Jez