Royals Match Report 2006-07

Royals save face to earn point
Royals 3-3 Presteinge (League, 11-03-07)
(Bourne 2, Green)

A couple of days without rain meant that the game was played on dry pitch and even the sun was shining in patches. But a strong wind blew from the south and this dominated proceedings. In the first half Presteigne played with the wind in their backs and down hill. Most of the play took place in the Royals half and Presteigne scored three goals. In the second half the Royals played with the wind in their backs and down hill. Most of the play took place in the Presteigne half and the Royals responded with  three goals too.

In the first half the Royals struggled. Not only were they playing into the wind but they were playing against an older, more physical team. They started the game off quite aggressively, often beating the Royals to the ball or wrestling and bumping them off the ball. It appeared a somewhat uneven contest. The first goal came from a corner. The second was a speculative shot from quite far out which bounced awkwardly and deceived keeper Holtz. The third was a powerful shot into the top right corner of the goal.

Pinned back in their own half, the Royals had only one opportunity to score. Bourne broke free on the left flank and spurted towards goal. But he kicked the ball a little too far forward and the Presteigne goal keeper got hold of it first.

The tables were turned in the second half. In spite of being bigger and faster, it was Presteigne's turn to be pinned back in their own half. Though they succeeded in breaking out a number of times they did not have a single shot on goal. The Royals had many and with a bit more luck they could even have won the game.

Their first goal came when Bourne again broke free. This time he rounded the Presteigne keeper and slotted the ball in with ease. Though the Royals were trying hard it was a long wait for the second goal. But it eventually came as Green succeeded in making some space for himself and looped the ball from distance high over the Presteigne keeper. Another anxious wait with various scoring opportunities going astray. It was again Bourne who tricked his way past a number of defenders to slot the ball into the back of the net. In the final minutes the Royals were constantly on the attack. An excellent effort by Miles produced an excellent save by the Presteigne keeper. Another few minutes and the Royals could have won the game.

After the difficult start the Royals did very well to come back so strongly. They dominated the second half as they were dominated in the first half. They take away a well deserved point from a most difficult encounter.

Team: Holtz, Riley (Green 46), Brayne, Agnew, Hearle, Green (Groom 39), Miles, Smith (c) (Weynberg 50), Carless-Turland, Bourne, Lewis. Sub not used: Robinson