23rd December 2006 - Sponsored Walk confirmed for 28th December

The Magpies sponsored walk takes place on Thursday 28th December 2006 at 2pm. Last year's walk was a great success and raised much needed funds for the club. Part of the monies raised will go towards subsidising those taking part to watch a premiership game, later this season.

The walk starts at 2pm at the top car park at Cardingmill Valley. Church Stretton District Club has been booked for hot soup and rolls afterwards.

23rd December 2006 - Onny Eagles make cup final

Onny Eagles defeated Ludlow North by 4 goals to 2 in the semi final of the cup. This means that either Royals or Presteigne North will meet them in the final in May 2007.

16th December 2006 - Presteigne semi-final postponed

Presteigne have advised us that they are unable to field a team for tomorrow's cup semi final. Apparently several of their squad have a sickness bug, although they did admit that they had 9 players fit. Technically Royals could have insisted that the game took place tomorrow, as the minimum requirement for available players is 7, however due to the good relationship between the two clubs, it was decided to play the fixture after Christmas.

14th December 2006 - Presteigne match could be off

Royals are supposed to meet Presteigne North this weekend in the cup semi-final. However several of the Presteigne players are suffering from a sickness bug at the moment and this may mean that the game will have to be called off.

If the game does go ahead it will take place at Russell's Meadow with a 11:00am kick off. More news should be available Friday night / Saturday morning.

12th December 2006 - Royals beanie hats now in stock

We have just received stock of Royals beanie hats which are available for sale at £5.99. If any players or supporters would like one, please let Chris know.

12th December 2006 - Royals play Red Rovers in first game after Christmas

Royals will meet Red Rovers in their first game of the post Christmas campaign. The teams will meet at Red Rovers' ground on 7th January 2007.

11th December 2006 - Weekend results round up

Royals are likely to finish third in the league at the Christmas break. They currently stand in second place but Ludlow North are just a point behind with 2 games to play. Royals have now completed their league itinerary and have just their cup semi final, against Presteigne North this coming weekend. Heading the table are Onny Eagles who have yet to drop a point this season.

Other results from this weekend are as follows:

Tenbury 0-11 Onny Eagles
Presteigne Colts North 2-0 Coreley
Orleton 2-8 Craven Arms
Ludlow North 8-0 Presteigne Colts South

10th December 2006 - Royals come out tops in battle of the Strettons

Royals came out trumps today as they defeated local rivals Red Rovers by 4 goals to 1. In front of the largest crowd of the season they played some of their best football this season so far to prove the critics wrong.

Goals from Green, Groom, Smith, and Bourne gave Royals a 4-0 lead before Parton scored a consolation goal for Red Rovers.

A full match report can be found here.

6th December 2006 - Royals aim to set the record straight after Watts taunt

Red Rovers' manager Martin Watts has offered the perfect incentive for the Royals to achieve a commanding victory in their forthcoming match. In an article in this month's Stretton Focus he states:

"With a high proportion of 'home­grown' players the Red Rovers are the prime representative of the Strettons in the Under 12s league. "

Although nothing can be taken away from the work that Watts has done in the formation and running of his club, obviously the prime representative from the Strettons in the U12s league is Church Stretton Magpies.

Royals' manager Chris Smith is unconcerned by the comments and says that they  are just the incentive his players need to prove them wrong.

6th December 2006 - Red Rovers match preview.

Royals play what will probably be the most exciting match of the first half of the season this weekend, when they take on Red Rovers. With most of the Royals players at school with the Red Rovers team, there will be a lot at stake, despite both teams having qualified for Division 1 in the post Christmas split.

Royals have yet to find their best football in recent weeks and will be keen to get back to something like their best prior to next weeks cup semi-final. Red Rovers have to pick themselves up after a 9-0 demolition by Onny Eagles last weekend.

Royals will be missing Riley, although everyone else is fit and available for selection. Red Rovers however are rumoured to be without Collins and Savage, both of whom are injured.

The match takes place at the Meadow with a 10:30am kick off.

6th December 2006 - Saturday training for next 2 weeks

Royals will revert back to Saturday morning training for the next two weeks. After several weeks of training on concrete it is hoped that some better coaching can be implemented. With a desperate need for floodlit facilities in Stretton it has not been possible to train properly since October.

The sessions are at Russell's Meadow from 10:00qm to 11;30am.

3rd December 2006 - Royals 3-1 Craven Arms

Royals ensured their place in Division 1 in the post Christmas split this morning, with a 3-1 victory over Craven Arms. It wasn't by any means the most comfortable of victories, and when the Arms took the lead, a shock looked on the cards. Royals were unable to break down the determined physical Arm's defence, and it took a 25 yard free kick from Green to see the teams go in level at half time.

Shortly into the second half Groom replaced Carless-Turland, with Smith moving out wide on the left and Bourne joining Lewis as the second striker. This switch paid dividends and some glimpses of the "old" Royals began to show. Lewis scored twice in the second half to claim the 3 points and the division 1 spot.

A full report will appear here.