Royals Match Report 2006-07

Royals triumph in physical battle
Royals 3-0 Red Rovers (League, 25-02-07)
(Bourne 3)

A difficult match against local rivals Red Rovers was expected. Though the Royals have beaten Red Rovers twice, and handsomely too, their opponents this time were at full strength and were in good form, having beaten Presteigne Colts the previous week 2-1. Yet in the first few minutes the Royals already demonstrated their superiority by attacking the Red Rovers' goal and spending most of the time in the Rovers' half. Indeed, they could have scored early on as a shot from Lewis hit the upright. Groom and Lewis were both denied again by the woodwork, one hitting the cross bar another again the upright. A couple of other shots were narrowly wide. A fierce tackle on Carless-Turland forced his retirement, replaced by Bourne on the left wing. 

He made his presence felt with his excellent ball control and purposeful running. It was no surprise then when he scored towards the end of the first half after an excellent passing movement by the Royals forwards. Compared to the Royals the Red Rovers created relatively few chances. The closest they came to scoring was when a rare error by the Royals defence allowed a Red Rovers striker to break through and storm onto the Royals goal. But keeper Holtz succeeded in pushing the shot wide for a corner. The Royals defence worked very hard, was quick to the ball and succeeded in frustrating the Red Rovers strikers. Brayne in particular played with great assurance and proved a formidable obstacle to the Red Rovers. Robinson too frustrated numerous attacks by the Rovers while Agnew contributed a number of vital clearances. The first half ended with the Royals' goal the only one to have been scored. 

The Royals dominate the second half too, scoring two more goals, both by the prolific Bourne. The first came after Smith received the ball in midfield and seeing Bourne break on the left placed a pass for him to run on to. Using his pace, he out ran the Red Rovers defence and fired home from close range. The second came after the hard work had been done by Hearle and Lewis. Lewis's shot was half saved and Bourne was there for the rebound. It could have been more. A number of shots again hit the woodwork or went just wide. Bartl in the Red Rovers goal also made some excellent saves. The game was, however, by no means one-sided. There were a number of spells during which the Red Rovers attacked with determination, at times playing with considerable skill. But it would not fall for them. A number of shots went narrowly wide while Holtz made some good saves too. But it was above all the determined defence of the Royals, well supported in mid field by Miles and Green, which kept the opposition at bay. 

An excellent result for the Royals which consolidates their position at the top of the table. The whole team played with great passion, were quick to the ball and the forwards Lewis, Smith, Hearle and Groom passed it around well making it difficult for the Rovers defence. A game where the skill and fitness of the Royals trumped over the brawn of their opponents.

Team: Holtz, Agnew, Brayne, Robinson, Hearle, Green (Riley 45), Miles, Smith, Carless-Turland (Bourne 15, Weynberg 50), Groom, Lewis