JOSH SWOOPS FOR THE CROWS
EXTRA-TIME goals from sub Josh Oyinsan and Matt Bateman kept Royston Town’s Trophy fairytale alive at Stonebridge Road.
After a battling 90 minutes against National League strugglers Ebbsfleet, Royston found their feet in the additional half-hour to claim another giant-killing scalp and their place in the last eight.
“I always say it’s a little village team but the players have been incredible again,” beamed Royston boss Steve Castle. “It’s a testament to the players and the board who have been very supportive.
“I don’t think we played that well, we were disappointing going forward but our centre-halves were colossuses.
“It wasn’t a good pitch so we went a bit more direct but it’s great for Josh and Matt to score the goals.”
Royston almost had a dream third-minute lead when penalty appeals were turned down after a shot was blocked in the box and then Fleet’s Jamie Grimes had to head clear Josh Casiglione’s follow-up.
Centre-backs Ben Martin and skipper Adam Murray were immense for the visitors, the latter producing a brilliant block to thwart Fleet’s Josh Umerah at the other end.
Chances were at a premium at either end, although Royston keeper Joe Welch did well to deny Umerah early in the second half.
Oyinsan’s close-range effort was cleared by Lawrie Wilson and Fleet’s Jermaine McGlashan shot wide in stoppage time as the 90 minutes ended level.
It took Royston just two minutes of extra-time to get themselves ahead.
Casiglione delivered a delightful right-wing cross which was headed in by
Oyinsan at the far post despite keeper David Gregory’s efforts.
Injury cut short Oyinsan’s afternoon minutes later but he was racing across the pitch to celebrate with his team-mates when Royston added a second goal six minutes from time.
Moments after Gregory thwarted substitute Brandon Adams, Bateman burst clean through and he slotted into the far corner to send the away fans into raptures.
Royston thoroughly deserved to add Ebbsfleet to their list of FA Trophy scalps this season.
Fleet boss Kevin Watson took his time before conducting post-match press duties and said: “You can tell by the length of time it took me to come out of the dressing room what I made of it.
“It’s galling when people don’t listen to what we say. We watched half-hour of footage of Royston beating Boreham Wood and Wealdstone.”