Royals Match Report 2005-06

Royals go unrewarded by gutsy performance.

 Royals 1-1 Presteigne (League, 02-04-06)
(Hearle) 

The match against Presteigne was played on a typical April day with sunshine alternating with rain. A blustery wind blew from the south-west. The pitch was still heavy from earlier rain but playable. Muddy spots remained only immediately in front of the goals and at the centre spot. Not ideal football conditions. But such a tense game unfolded with so much good football being played that the weather and the pitch condition were forgotten. The players certainly made the best of the difficult conditions, giving their best oblivious of the encumbrances. Presteigne had nearly beaten the Royals back in February and a tight game was expected. So it turned out. 

Presteigne won the toss and elected to play downhill with the strong wind in their backs. Yet it was the Royals who were mostly on the attack. The pattern of the game was set early on. The Royals launched attack after attack but whenever Presteigne had the ball and going forward they looked dangerous. At last a match of near equals rather than many previous matches where the Royals dominated. Goalkeeper Holtz even had to make a save early on, albeit from a tame shot. A much fiercer shot from quite far out followed sometime after which Holtz tipped over the crossbar. But Robinson and Riley excelled in their defensive play making it very difficult for the Presteigne players to get into scoring positions. 

Royals had many chances to score in the early stages of the game. One fierce shot by Lewis was palmed forward by the Presteigne goalkeeper. Lewis got hold of it again but blasted it against the upright. Another excellent attacking move by the Royals ended with Hearle firing the ball over the bar. Some time later another powerful shot by Hearle only just missed the goal. 

The game was played at a furious pace. In the first half Presteigne was not afraid to come forward which left space at the back for the Royals to exploit whenever the ball was back in their possession. It gradually became clear that the Royals were the better team, but Presteigne was very dangerous on the break. They were fast and fast to the ball. 

Presteigne was the first to score, and a soft goal it was. After a corner a fairly tame shot on goal came in from just outside the penalty area. In an attempt to head it clear, Groom diverted it into the top right corner of the Royal goal. A lucky goal for Presteigne which, however, was not undeserved. They played good attacking football, were quick to the ball and passed well. But they were up against an excellent defence. 

Seven minutes later a good attacking movement by the Royals caused confusion in front of the Presteigne goal. The ball rolled loose and Hearle thumped it into the back of the net from close range to make it 1-1.

Just after the equaliser Carless-Turland was sent off by the referee because of a verbal infringement. He was allowed back five minutes later. Half time followed not long after. 

In the second half the Royals played with the wind and the sun behind them. This was a considerable benefit as the wind was blowing quite hard. For a time rain pelted down. In spite of the difficult conditions the Royals put in a tremendous effort. Notwithstanding a long succession of attacks the Royals failed to score a second goal. There were various good opportunities, some failed by inches. Carless-Turland and Hearle provided a series of excellent crosses into the centre. Carless-Turland had one shot on goal going just wide. Other shots produced superb saves by the Presteigne keeper who was without a doubt the man of the match. 

In spite of having the wind against them Presteigne were still able on occasions to get forward. When they did they looked dangerous. But the Royals defence held.  

Towards the end of the game the Royals did almost all the pressing. Attack followed attack. Presteigne pulled all their players back and defended for all they were worth. Carless-Turland came up with a final attempt on goal, but his shot produced yet another excellent save. In the end it was a lack of good fortune and good defending by Presteigne that denied a victory to the Royals. They were the more offensive team. They all gave 110 per cent.

Team: Cameron Holtz, Simon Riley, Dominic Robinson, Joe Hearle, Ed Groom, Harvey Carless-Turland, Tom Lewis. Sub: Michael Brayne