Royals Match Report 2006-07

Royals maintain 100% record
Presteigne South 0-4 Royals (League, 21-01-07)
(Bourne, Allan (pen) Lewis, Carless-Turland)

Royals trip to Presteigne was nearly postponed on route, when there appeared to be confusion over whether or not the pitch was available. In the end the game did go ahead, albeit delayed by an hour.

Heavy rain during the course of the week, and an earlier game played on the pitch that morning, had made the pitch very heavy and took its toll on the players, and indeed the quality of the football played.

Presteigne's players were a year older than most of the Royals, but the Royals were the greater footballing side. This began to tell towards the end of the first half when Bourne broke the stalemate with an excellent chip into the Presteigne goal. In a fast running move by the Royals, with a couple of telling passes, the Presteigne defence was outplayed. Lewis was the provider of the final pass to Bourne. A second goal almost followed a few minutes later. This time Bourne was the provider with a dangerous cross across the goal mouth. Lewis was inches away from heading it into the goal from close range. Presteigne also had some chances to score though the Royals defence did some sterling defending. In goal Holtz, diving to his right, pushed away the one serious shot on target managed by Presteigne. Less convincing during the first half was the Royals' midfield, at times leaving too much space for Presteigne to operate in.

In the second half the Royals, with the added benefit of playing downhill, began to make their superior skills felt. Allan added to the score early on through a penalty.  He struck a powerful kick which gave the goal keeper no chance. Carless-Turland, who replaced Bourne, scored the third with an excellent header after Hearle floated the ball into the penalty area. Fortunately for the Royals the linesman failed to notice a clear offside.

Now three goals in the lead, the Royals played with increasing ease, moving into space and passing the ball better in spite of the difficult conditions. To crown it all, a beautiful passing movement led to the fourth goal. It started with Hearle dribbling down the right wing. He slipped the ball to Groom who propelled into the path of Lewis who scored.

A very satisfying second half for the Royals playing in difficult conditions in a game where skill outshone brawn.

Team: Holtz (Keugler 30), Robinson (Riley 45), Allan, Brayne, Hearle, Green (Agnew 42), Miles, Smith (Weynberg 45), Bourne (Carless-Turland 40), Groom, Lewis