31st January 2007 - Ludlow North game postponed

This weekend's game against Ludlow North has been postponed due to Ludlow not being able to field a team. The game is likely to be rearranged for an evening kick off, once the clocks go forward.

28th January 2007 - Weekend results round up

Royals have a 5 point buffer at the top of division 1 tonight, after results went their way this weekend. The biggest surprise was Presteigne North holding Ludlow to a 2-2 draw. In the other game, Presteigne South beat Red Rovers 5-2.

28th January 2007 - Onny Eagles 1-1 Royals

Royals put up a sterling performance today against Onny Eagles, despite having to field a weakened team due to illness. Neither Brayne or Groom were fit to play due to a sickness bug.

The game was a pretty even affair with Onny having the better of the first half and the Royals having to be at their best defensively on a number of occasions. A splendid save from Keugler prevented Onny taking the lead shortly before half time, after the ball was well struck from distance and heading for the top corner.

The second half saw Royals coming more into the game, as they were now going down the slope. However with just 15 minutes to go, it was Onny that scored first, albeit a controversial one. The ball was bobbing about in the Royals penalty area and struck home from close range. The linesman flagged for what appeared to be a clear offside, but the referee overruled him and awarded the goal.

Despite being disheartened by the goal, Royals battled on and 4 minutes from time Bourne scored the equaliser when he delicately chipped the ball over the Onny keeper.

Royals very nearly clinched a winner 2 minutes from time when Lewis steered his header just wide.

A full match report will appear here.

25th January 2007 - Royals in new sponsorship deal

Royals have agreed a new sponsorship deal with accountancy firm Bentley Jennison. The deal involves the purchase of the new away kit which the team were presented with today. The kit will be aired for the first time in this weekend's match against Onny Eagles. The squad also have added to their training equipment with some adjustable hurdles and some agility poles.

24th January 2007 - Onny Eagles match preview

Royals travel to the Burway on Sunday for what could be one of their hardest matches of the season, when they play Onny Eagles. The last time the two teams met Onny came out winners with a 3-2 score line, after a very close game.

Royals are expected to opt for a 4-5-1 formation which nearly brought them success last time.

The match takes place at the Burway Sports ground with a 10:30am kick off.

24th January 2007 - Early newsletters now on line

The early newsletters from 2003 and 2004 are now online in PDF format on the archives page. These newsletters were produced prior to the creation of the Royals website and sent out to all players and their families.

22nd January 2007 - Royals stay top as Ludlow and Onny Eagles draw

Royals position at the top of the table was made stronger by Ludlow and Onny Eagles drawing 2-2 at the weekend. This means that win or lose next weekend Royals will remain top of the table for at least another week.

With two tough games in two weeks against Onny and Ludlow North, Royals will need to be at their best if they are to mount a serious challenge for the title.

The only other game this weekend between Presteigne North and Red Rovers was postponed due to illness.

21st January 2007 - Presteigne South 0-4 Royals

Royals overcame a strong physical Presteigne South side today in tough conditions which did not suit their style of play. What could have turned out as a disaster, instead turned out to be a fine victory. The game nearly did not go ahead at all, as Presteigne's pitch was double booked. However after an hour's delay, the teams eventually kicked off at 12pm.

The conditions were extremely cold, blustery and wet, with the pitch very muddy and heavy from the previous week's rain. These conditions suited Presteigne more than the Royals as they are a strong physical side and did not suit the style of football that the Royals play.

Royals went in at half time with a one goal lead, somewhat against the run of play. In the second half however, their footballing skill paid dividends and 3 more goals made sure that they kept their 100% record in division 1.

Goals from Bourne, Allan (Pen), Carless-Turland and Lewis made sure of the result.

A full match report will appear here.

20th January 2007 - Miles doubt for Sunday

Luke Miles may not be fit for Sunday's game against Presteigne. He did not train at the Stoke City development centre this morning due to illness. This would be a huge blow to the Royals chances with Miles being so influential in the centre of midfield.

19th January 2007 - Training hit by gales

Royals missed out on a training session this week due to power failure in the town. The power was off from around midday to 9:45pm. This outage meant that the floodlights at the school could not be switched on.

17th January 2007 - Presteigne South match preview

Royals make the long trip to Presteigne this weekend to take on the elder Presteigne side, Presteigne South. Earlier in the season Royals came away with all 3 points, although they nearly threw it away in the second half when Presteigne came back from 3-0 down to 3-2.

The full squad is expected to make the trip, with Allan and Weynberg both having recovered from illness.

The match takes place on Sunday with an 11:00am kick off.

16th January 2007 - Weekend results round up

Royals stay at the top of the table for another week, with  a 100% record to date. Second place Onny Eagles' game against Presteigne South was postponed. This means that Royals opponents next weekend Presteigne South have yet to play a game and have not played since the second weekend in December.

In the only other game that was played last weekend Ludlow North defeated Red Rovers by 4-3.

14th January 2007 - Royals 1-0 Presteigne North

Royals came out victors by the odd goal today in a tightly fought contest against a strong Presteigne side. Royals had the better of the game and deserved the win, although Presteigne had several chances in the first half. Royals were without Allan, Weynberg and Robinson but the stand in defence of Agnew, Riley and Brayne coped with the pressure.

In the second half Royals came close on several occasions, and but for the outstanding Fowden, who pulled off some great saves, the score could have been higher.

Lewis scored the only goal of the game after a cross from Hearle struck the post and rebounded out.

A full match report will appear here.

11th January 2007 - Presteigne North match preview

Royals are due to meet Presteigne North this weekend in the first of their 2 league encounters. When the two teams met before Christmas, Royals were made to battle for their 2-2 draw and came from being 2-0 down at half time.

With the amount of rain that has fallen this recently a pitch inspection will take place on Saturday to assess the condition of the pitch. The weather forecast is however due to improve over the weekend.

The match takes place on Sunday 14th January with a 10:30am kick off.

6th January 2007 - Red Rovers 0-5 Royals

Royals got off to the best possible start this morning, in their match against Red Rovers, with a convincing 5-0 victory. The match was switched to Russell's Meadow at the last moment, due to Red Rovers' pitch being unplayable, and although the conditions were extremely heavy and wet, Royals showed that they had lost none of their pre-Christmas form.

Goals from Hearle, Carless-Turland 2, Bourne and an own goal made sure of the result.

This puts the Royals top of the table, albeit possibly just for 24 hours until the rest of this weekend's fixtures are played.

A full match report is here.

3rd January 2007 - Red Rovers match preview

Royals aim to shake off the Christmas excesses this weekend when they meet local rivals Red Rovers in their first game of the 2007 Division 1 campaign. Although Royals came out 4-1 victors in the last game before the break, Red Rovers could be back to something near full strength with Collins expected to be back after injury.

The match takes place at Church Stretton School on Saturday 6th January with an 11:45am kick off.

3rd January 2007 - New Year Training

Training re-commences for the second half of the season this Thursday at 6pm on the school tennis courts.