Midfield!? Who needs ‘em!

With the air starting to cool at the (aptly named) fortress, Royston started on the back foot in the opening few minutes. With solid movement up front Bedford worked well to win a short corner. Tension mounted for the Crows as the premier no.1 runner for Royston was sent to the half way line after breaking early on the short. This left Royston at a major disadvantage, however, the hockey gods appeared to shine bright on Royston as the well worked routine was fumbled past the post by the oppo forward, much to the enjoyment of the Royston keeper, John “BJ” Gourd, who was left awkwardly flailing on the ground at the back post.

Royston seemingly took this warning to heart realising just how dangerous this Bedford team could be and quickly turned up the pressure. To say the Goal was scintillating would be an understatement! It was a slick counterattack, coolly dispatched by Sebastian “insert fake alias here” Miles. It was about as ‘chefs kiss’ as any ‘chefs kiss’ has ever ‘chefs kissed’. Truly mesmeric from the Royston side who, for all intents and purposes, didn’t initially seem up for the game. The warmup was a classic slog, with a line-up that was startling to say the least. Not for the first time Royston went short to a game, but with the added point of there being no registered midfielders in the side. Perhaps it’s a comment on the ability of players here at Royston, I’d personally like to think so, that the team seemingly remained relatively un-phased at the change in positions.

Royston kept up the lethal counterattacking prowess with an actual goal… yes… an actual non-short corner routine goal (at the edge of the D no less) from Royston’s answer to the Roman god of braveness Virtus. Thus signified the claim of MotM from our very own nameless deity. Truly he was a force to behold in the first half.

Royston saw out this half with a cleverly disguised pass/shot (we will never know what he was planning, and I guess that’s the whole point of a disguised slap… it’s good when it works, if it hadn’t this would be a very different paragraph…) down to the opposition keepers right. It would probably have been an easy save for any goalkeeper if it was easier to telegraph.

In truth Bedford were stifled the rest of the game by Royston’s strong presence on the counterattack and the fear of repeatedly cutting passes from the stalwart man mountain Dr Pete ‘X-Ray-Man’ Fletcher. Bedford did score, but such is the way of the keeper I have completely lost the memory of their goal. Maybe it was a strong short corner strike at goal down to the keepers left, but who cares? You’re not here to read about the opposition, are you? You just want to hear more about the boys and their quest for the league title.

That said, Royston Men’s 1st XI will be travelling to Broxbourne for a 4:30 pushback. Will they make it back for the footy? Only time will tell!

Thanks to the umpires as always.

MotM Lyndon scored!