ROYSTON TOWN 1 STRATFORD TOWN 2

PROMOTED Royston lost their first game in the Southern Premier to well organised Stratford.

A lively opening saw visiting keeper Louis Connor save well down to his left from the Crows’ ex-Lincoln City man Adam Marriott’s well directed header.

The breakthrough came from Stratford’s first meaningful attack on five minutes, when the un-marked Ben Stephens headed in a left wing cross.

This early setback seemed to unsettle Royston until the 21st minute, when a blocked cross fell to John Frendo on the edge of the box and his well controlled half volley arrowed into the net.

But the lead was short lived, as six minutes later the visitors worked the ball across the pitch from right to left and full-back Lee Thomas had plenty of time to pick his spot and rifle an unstoppable shot past Crows keeper Joe Welch.

The only clear efforts in the second half came from Gus Scott-Morriss and Frendo, both being pushed away by Connor.

Matters were made more difficult for Royston when Adam Murray was shown a red card after some pushing and shoving at a corner, but the numbers were evened up shortly afterwards when Loyiso Recci received a second yellow card.

Resolute defending from Andrew Gallinagh and Liam Francis ensured Stratford left Garden Walk with all three points.