Royals Match Report 2005-06

Royals are crowned champions at last!

 Knighton 0-3 Royals (League, 02-05-06)
(Smith, Carless-Turland, Hearle) 

Royals traveled to Knighton Town for what could have been the most important fixture of the season. Knighton had been the only ground in the league that the Royals had never played at, so they were unaware what awaited them.

They were aware though, that if they defeated Knighton and Presteigne beat Ludlow North, then Royals were champions - the first time that a team from Church Stretton would have won the highest accolade in any age group.

If the Royals were nervous, then they did not show it, against a Knighton side whom they had beaten at home twice already this season. Although Knighton were dogged and defended well, Royals put on a display worthy of their potential championship status.

From the start it was clear that there would not be as many goals as Royals had been used to scoring recently. Knighton defended in number and made it difficult for Royals to penetrate into the penalty area. Royals midfield were playing quite far forward, hoping to break down the Knighton defence and for this reason, Knighton caught them on the break on several occasions.

However Brayne and Riley performed well in defence and swept up ant Knighton attacks with relative ease. On the odd occasion that Knighton did manage to get through, fortunately for the Royals the shots went wide.

Smith was his normal creative self in the centre of midfield feeding many passes out to Carless-Turland on the left and Hearle on the right.

The first goal came after 10 minutes when Hearle passed the ball through to Groom, who turned neatly and sent a shot that was only half saved by the Knighton keeper. Smith was following up and belted the ball home from 2 yards out to make the score 1-0.

Royals settled down after this first goal and started to play some slick football. On 20 minutes Carless-Turland picked up a pass just inside the Knighton half and ran towards goal, beating 3 players on the way. He coolly shot home from a wide angle to make it 2-0.

Three minutes later Smith went close again with a finely struck shot from just outside the area, which forced an excellent save from the Knighton keeper.

At half time Robinson replaced Brayne at left back and the second half commenced. Just 4 minutes into the second half Hearle forced a splendid save from the Knighton keeper, who just managed to push the shot over the bar for a corner.

The second half was as the first. Much pressure and good passing was applied by the royals but Knighton fought back hard and on occasion worried Royals by their counter attacks.

With 15 minutes left on the clock Hearle scored the third, after a Carless-Turland cross fell at his feet and he fired home from the edge of the penalty area.

In the dying seconds of the game Knighton had probably their best chance of the game, when a defensive error by Riley put through the Knighton forward. Fortunately for the Royals, the advancing keeper Holtz spread himself and was able to bravely stop the shot.

When the final whistle went, Royals had to wait an agonising 7 minutes for the result of the Presteigne v Ludlow West match to be phoned through. Finally it came - Presteigne had won 2-1. Royals were champions and the celebrations began.

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