Karl McGroary Shines For Royston

The Firsts continued their fine run of form with a comfortable 4-0 win against a Harpenden Colts side who sat 4th in the table at kick off.

The morning got off to a slow start as the lads only had limited time to warm up, following the late arrival of kitman Tom Hughes, fresh from his night out down the Royston Club.

That didn’t stop Royston taking the lead early in the first half, with man of the match Karl McGroary latching onto a loose Harpenden backpass and tucking it away.

Wet and windy conditions made crosses and long balls difficult to execute all game, but that didn’t stop Dan Mills putting in a sublime cross from a free kick that fell into the path of First Team debutant Sam Parchment. Sam guided the ball home from close range to put Royston 2-0 up and quash the demons from the last 2 weeks of going 1-0 up then 2-1 down.

We went in 2-0 up at half-time and were in control. Playing into the wind in the second half, the lads handled some early pressure from Harpenden, with the centre back pairing of Ian Leek and Peter Woolgrove once again proving strong. Goalkeeper Harvey Johnson was again in fine form (and voice - “RED BALL!”), and the defence were helped out in front of them by the protection of skipper Jack Pattison and the impressive debutant Cameron Ferguson, both breaking up play and rarely allowing Harpenden a sight on goal.

The pressure from Harpenden allowed Royston to show their counter attacking abilities, which eventually led to the third goal. Attacking midfielder Tom Perry played a long ball over the top of the Harpenden defence to find Karl McGroary, who used his pace to get on the end of it and put the game to bed, grabbing his second goal of the game.

With all 3 points wrapped up, Royston’s 4th came in he final moments of the game. A testing cross from CB Ian Leek was converted into his own net by a Harpenden defender, capping off a fine victory for Royston.