If a demonstration of FC’s urgency for a quality striker was required, then today would have been a perfect example. FC had some excellent chances that if taken by an experienced marksman would have seen the team home and dry with time to spare. As it was, Royston punished the team for their lack of guile by showing how it should be done and firing in three quick fire goals that lent the game a somewhat flattering 3-0 score line.

Gareth Price had the first of these gilt edged chances when clean through after just a couple of minutes, however he failed to dig the ball from under his feet and the chance went begging. Price turned provider on 7 minutes, feeding Sonny French, with Sonny forcing Royston’s George Lawton into a save. Jamie Rudd was the next FC man to try and he saw his half volley fly past the keeper’s post. Royston showed their attacking credentials a few minutes late. Ryan Lockett put in a teasing right wing cross with partner Craig Hammond just failing to make contact.

Again Price and French linked up on the 20 minute mark but Sonny failed to provide enough power to lift the ball over the advancing Lawton. Joe De La Salle responded by launching a 25 yard strike that almost fooled FC Keeper Rhys Marshall. Shortly afterwards there was a moment of confusion as a Royston “goal” was disallowed before Carl Edwards hit a header against the FC post with Marshall well beaten. FC’s defence with Tom Cutts, Lee Grant and the gifted Alex Kedzierski had soaked up most of the Royston pressure however. The final action of the half saw Gareth Price one on one with the keeper soon but Lawton saved with his feet as the FC winger attempted to round him.

The second half saw FC on the attack with Jamie Rudd having two blocked chances from a corner. The Lockett/Hammond partnership almost produced an away team goal from a volley on 56 minutes and soon afterwards Royston’s Sam Spencer forced Marshall into a one handed save whilst at full stretch. On 62 minutes most of the crowd of 147 thought Ben Stevens had opened the scoring but his header from a corner somehow went the wrong side of the post. Three minutes later and FC had their best chance of the game. A pinpoint Gareth Price cross found Sonny French with just the keeper but Sonny totally miscued the ball and the ball trickled harmlessly away.

FC were left to regret this lack of composure in front of goal as Royston took the lead soon afterwards. A cross from Carl Edwards was headed home by Craig Hammond for 1-0. FC pushed for the equaliser. Sonny French had a shot which ricocheted off a defender’s body and then just cleared the bar. From the resultant corner, the ball fell to Jamie Rudd whose delicate lob was cleared off the goal line by an away defender.

On 81 minutes FC were opened up as Royston doubled their lead. Substitute Ryan Inerey low shot took a deflection before nestling in the back of the net. 2-0 was soon 3-0 as a cross shot by Jay Taylor sailed over the out of position Rhys Marshall and into an empty goal. Towards the final whistle, Craig Faulconbridge, who had made an appearance as a second half substitute, attempted to lend the score line a little respectability but his floated free kick was plucked from the air by Lawton to leave the FC faithful knowing that their team desperately need a man with goal scoring ability.

Man of the Match, Alex Kedzierski (Aylesbury FC) Match rating **/*****

Line Up
1. Rhys Marshall.
2. Alex Kedzierski. Man of the Match
3. Lee Grant.
4. Kwasi Frempong.
5. Tom Cutts.
6. Ben Stevens. Off '85
7. Ollie Hogg.
8. Matt Hall.
9. Jamie Rudd.
10. Sonny French.
11. Gareth Price.

Used Sub:
14. Craig Faulconbridge. On '85

Unused Subs:
12. Fraser McLachlan
15. Anthony Davitt.
16. Richard Roberts.