Royals Match Report 2005-06

Royals put on polished display against the Arms

 Royals 7-2 Craven Arms (League, 23-04-06)
(Lewis 5, Riley, Hearle) 

After the shock defeat earlier in the month against Craven Arms in Craven Arms, the return match on home turf presented the Royals with a chance to make amends. And they did so with great flair and determination. Out was the error strewn play of early April. In was good passing, skill and the passion to win. The morning was heavily overcast and a soft drizzle come down before the match got underway (but stopped soon after). As the grass had also been cut a few days earlier, this made for a fast pitch which, it was hoped, would benefit the Royals' style of play. 

Captain Riley won the toss and decided to play up the hill but with the wind from behind. The Royals started vigorously with two early shots on goal. The deep and packed defence of Craven Arms, which had worked so well for them in the earlier game, was this time not in view. The Royals had a lot of space to move in and they made good used of it, launching a series of attacks on the Craven Arms goal. They were playing good attacking football and were clearly in top form. A first goal did not take long in coming. An excellent corner by Hearle was headed home by Lewis. A number of near misses followed. In one instance the referee decided that the whole of the ball had not crossed the line, perhaps giving Craven Arms the benefit of the doubt. 

But a second goal materialised soon enough. It came after another Hearle corner. The ball was only partially cleared by the defence, came to Riley who had moved up. He blasted it in from some distance to make it 2-0. A third goal was added shortly afterwards as the Royals ran amok and the Craven Arms defence had no idea how to stem the flow. Hearle dribbled the ball from well inside his own half down the right side with great speed, passed the ball to Lewis who swept it into the back of the net. A fourth goal followed soon afterwards. A long ball forward by Riley was gathered by Hearle who crossed it. Lewis was once more on hand to bang it in. Yet another goal followed. This time Brayne was the provider. His long shot forward found Lewis who cushioned the ball, spun round and hammered it in. The Royals were making full use of the wind behind them.

Craven Arms did not figure much in the first half. Hindered by the wind their goal kicks were more often than not intercepted by the Royals. Occasionally they did show great skill on the ball, but rarely threatened the Royals' goal. Due to a defensive error they nonetheless did score before half time. From a corner the ball was struck home from the near post. Encouraged, Craven Arms produced some more attacking play. One excellent shot on goal was tipped over the bar by Holtz. The first half ended with the score at 5-1.  

In the second half Craven Arms had the benefit of the wind and the game became more balanced. The clouds had lifted but the wind was blowing as strongly as before. Hand ball by a Royals' player in the Royals' penalty area provided Craven Arms with a chance to add to their score. The strong shot was, however, pushed out by Holtz diving to his right. Holtz also succeeded in keeping out a number of other shots. Craven Arms were now showing more what they were capable of. A number of good passing moves called for some determined defending by Brayne and Riley. Craven Arms succeeded in scoring a second goal, though it was a bizarre one. A long goal kick by the Craven Arms goal keeper, pushed along by the wind came straight towards the Royals' goal. The bounce deceived both Brayne and Holtz and the ball went in to make it 5-2. At this point Craven Arms saw a chance to narrow the difference further and perhaps even draw the game. They were on fire, playing excellent football and for a while made most of the attacking. But the Royals defence held and gradually the Royals reasserted themselves. 

Groom, who had meanwhile replaced Carless-Turland, made his presence felt with a good long range shot on goal which however was saved by the Craven Arms goal keeper. The Royals were now back in full stride as Craven Arms faded. An exquisitely well judged pass forward by Smith allowed Lewis to score his fifth goal of the match. He hooked the ball passed the Craven Arms goal keeper. A final goal was then scored by Hearle. His powerful kick on goal hit the inside of the upright and rebounded into the net. 

The result must have been quite a disappointment for Craven Arms. Some of their players displayed excellent ball skills, at times dribbling past Royals players with great ease. But determined defending by Riley and Brayne was ably assisted by Smith and the other midfield players who readily rushed back to help out. Holtz for once had a more active game in goal and his saves also helped to keep the Craven Arms score low. All round a most pleasing performance by the Royals, deservedly at the top of the league table with a substantial goal difference in their favour.

Team: Cameron Holtz, Simon Riley (c), Michael Brayne, Joe Hearle, Rory Smith, Harvey Carless-Turland, Tom Lewis. Sub: Ed Groom