27th May 2007 - Cup win means more than last year's treble

Royal's cup win over Onny Eagles means more to the team than last year's treble grand slam. That is the opinion of managers Chris Smith and Simon Miles. Whilst last year's achievements were a formidable accolade, the defeat of Onny showed a maturity and strength of character that hasn't been witnessed until now.

"To come back from being 2-0 down against a stronger, more physical team, who had won the league, was a remarkable performance, especially when you consider we have been playing 11-a-side football for less than 12 months. Every one of those players had a specific job to do and they were briefed on that job just before the game. Each one carried out their tasks exactly as we had requested, giving everything to the cause. We knew that we were the better footballing side and if we kept it simple we could get back into the game, despite going behind."

25th May 2007 - Cup Final celebrations for Royals

Royals 3-2 Onny Eagles (AET)

Royals ended the season on a high after a dramatic climax to the Matthew Evans cup final last night. After going 2-0 down, they fought back in the last 25 minutes to pull it back to 2-2 at the end of normal time. Then in extra time a stroke of luck gave them an own goal to secure the victory.

Overall Royals were the better team, playing tidier football against the strength of their opponents. However Royals' superior fitness showed towards the end of the game and Onny failed to prevent them from lifting the trophy.

Goals from Bourne, Lewis and an own goal secured the victory.

A full match report will appear here.
 

23rd May 2007 - Pitch 2 allocated for final

Royals will play their re-scheduled final on Thursday on pitch 2 of the SBS stadium. Pitch 1 is currently having remedial works done on it and therefore is out of use.

The match will commence at around 7:45pm immediately after the U12s division 2 cup final. The trophy presentations will take place immediately after the final.

Royals players are meeting at 7:00pm and will be playing in red.
 

20th May 2007 - Final re-scheduled for Thursday 24th May

It has now been confirmed that the  postponed final will take place this Thursday at 7:45pm, with the presentations taking place immediately afterwards. The division 2 cup final will take place immediately beforehand.
 

16th May 2007 - Royals to continue training

The Royals are to continue with their training on Thursday evening from 6:00pm until 7:30pm, until a new date for the Matthew Evans cup final has been agreed. As of yet the SSJFL has not advised us of a revised date, although Friday 25th May has been muted.
 

14th May 2007 - Rain forces cup final postponement

Persistent heavy rain has caused the final of the Matthew Evans Cup to be postponed. The referee called off the match at 2:15pm, saying that the amount of standing water on the pitch had made it unplayable.

A revised date has not yet been confirmed.
 

11th May 2007 - Royals beaten in final

Royals were defeated 3-0 last night by a strong Onny team, in the Ian Hughes Memorial Cup Final. Despite an outstanding second half performance, in which the Royals played some of their best football of the season, they were unable to find the net.

Hearle came close to scoring early on in the  first half, but could not quite get a shot in after having done the hard work. Lewis also came close on 3 occasions, one being a fierce rebound that ricocheted off his body and flew agonisingly wide. Green tested the Onny defence with a free kick that skimmed across the five yard area, but no one was able to strike it home.

A full match report will appear here.
 

9th May 2007 - Cup final kit arrangements agreed

The kit arrangements for the two cup finals have been agreed with our opponents Onny Eagles.

Royals will wear blue on Thursday in the Ian Hughes Memorial Cup Final and red on Sunday in the Matthew Evans Cup Final.
 

4th May 2007 - Royals watched by Onny

Royals' were watched last night in their game against Presteigne, by cup final opponents Onny Eagles. Manager Cliff Amphlett was enjoying the game from the sideline.
 

4th May 2007 - Presteigne North 0-0 Royals

Royals ended their season's campaign last night with a 0-0 draw away to Presteigne. This fixture always provides an exciting game and last night's was no exception, despite the difference in the league position of the two teams.

The game was fiercely fought, with both teams having chances. Presteigne came closest early in the second half when a shot rebounded from the crossbar. Later on Lewis came close but just steered his shot wide of the post, and Smith tested keeper Fowden with around five minutes to go, but the keeper was equal to the shot.

A good performance by the Royals who will be keen to build on this for their impending finals against Onny.

A full match report will appear here.
 

3rd May 2007 - Stoke boys shine against academy side

Three Royals players were involved in the development centre's match against the Stoke City academy side last night. Craig Keugler, Harvey Carless-Turland and Rory Smith all contributed in the 3-3 draw. The development centre went 1-0 down in the first period, but then equalised with a penalty. They then went 2-1 ahead, before the academy made it 2-2. A spectacular goal made it 3-2 to the development centre, but the academy equalised with 5 minutes to play.
 

2nd May 2007 - Details announced for finals day

The itinerary and details have been released for the two cup finals next week. Both matches will take place on pitch one at the SBS stadium.
Royals will play in red in both finals.

Ian Hughes Memorial Cup
Thursday 10th May, 6:30pm KO (players to arrive at 5:45pm)

Referee - TBA
Assistant Referees - Gareth Parker, Graham Simmons

Matthew Evans Cup
Sunday 13th May, 4:15pm KO (players to arrive at 3:30pm)

Referee - Graham Simmons
Assistant Referees - Malcolm Morris, Gareth Parker