Fixtures

A resolute defensive performance from Maucaulie in the second half kept the Polecats at bay and the boys were unlucky to concede an equaliser towards the end of the match.

The Royals came close to a winner in the last minute with a goal line clearance leaving parents asking for a video replay!

The Royals sealed their first win of the season with an impressive first half display leading 3-1 at the break. Good defending in the second half by Macaulie and Ben kept the Royals ahead with Rowan and Mitchell breaking well from midfield.

The Royals ended the Rhinos unbeaten run this season with a fantastic second half display. Rob put the Royals ahead before the break but the Rhinos fought hard and equalised early in the second half. Mitchell and Rob combined well with a quick succession of goals to lead 4-1 before Freeman put the game beyond reach with his first goal of the season from a tight angle.

A strong first half performance by the home team saw them leading 2-0 at half time. The Royals took a hold in the second half with some good defending by Macaulie and Peter. Rob and Charlie worked well on the break although were unable to pierce a stern Panthers defence.

18/11/06 Laurel Park Tornadoes

Rowan's first half strike rewarded the Royals for their strong first half performance with Freeman and Peter dominating in midfield. After the break Mitchell & Edward worked well up the wings providing Rob with his seventh goal of the season. The Tornadoes pulled a goal back right at the end.

25/11/06 Bracknell Town

A solid performance from the Royals should have been rewarded with a first half goal but for a fine penalty save from Bracknell Town's keeper. Rob came on from the bench for the second half and quickly put the Royals in front thanks to some good pressure from Ben and Charlie. The heavens then opened and Bracknell took advantage of the conditions with an equaliser right at the end.

2/12/06 Twyford Comets Diamonds

Some last minute goal post moving and pitch alterations allowed our fixture to go ahead in fairly damp conditions. The Royals took the lead in the first half after Rob's cross forced a deflected own-goal and Macaulie nearly added a second with a good strike against the woodwork. Twyford fort well in the second half and equalised by firing a free kick through a crowd of players. Rowan came close to a winner but saw his effort well saved by the Diamonds keeper. Edward excelled in goal preventing a late steal for the visitors.

9/12/06 California Rangers

Despite being depleted in numbers the Royals put on an outstanding performance in this additional fixture against the Division C side. Special credit goes to Freeman for playing the full match with limp!

Rob put the Royals ahead with a fantastic looping shot and promptly took a second goal one-on-one with the keeper. Rowan & Charlie were tireless in midfield winning challenge after challenge, Rowan's efforts were rewarded before the break by a good drive from distance finding the back of the net. Macaulie & Peter dealt with their defensive duties well and provided good support on the break.

Rob completed is hatrick at the beginning of the second half after combining well with Mitchell before Rangers pulled two goals back against a now tiring Royals without any available substitutes

5/1/07 Crusader Kings

Good battling in midfield from Rowan and Freeman created a chance for Rob to blast his shot into the top righthand corner and give the Royals a deserved first half lead. Ben played well at the back with Peter and a good save from Edward kept the visitors at bay. However, the kings fought back well in the second half to steal the victory as the rain set in.

13/1/07 Binfield Fire

A good performance from the Royals saw them take a 2-1 lead into the break. Ben nutmeged the defender and crossed to Mitchell whose shot went under the keeper for Rowan to fire home. The Royals second came after a salvo of corners and crosses from Mitchell. Rob's shot was spilt by the keeper only for the defender's clearance to rebound off the post into the net. Binfield came back strongly in the second half with a quick succession of goals. The Royals rallied with some good defending from Charlie and Freeman and were unfortunate not to pull a goal back towards the end.

27/1/07 Curley Park Rangers Panthers

Eager to turn around a 2-0 defeat from their previous encounter, the Royals put in a strong first half performance. Edward was solid in goal with Charlie and Peter dealing with everything that came their way. Rob was denied by the cross bar just before the break. The Royals moved up a gear in the second half with Ben and Rob scoring to take a deserved 2-0 lead. Rowan & Mitchell battled confidently in midfield, however, the Panthers played well and pulled a goal back five minutes before the end and then forced a equaliser well into injury time.

3/2/07 Finchampstead Eagles

Although Mitchell came close by hitting the post before half time, the Eagles took a deserved 2-0 lead into the break firing their first in from a free kick. The Royals responded well in the second half with Rowan and Charlie battling hard in midfield providing Ben & Rob with a goal each. An unfortunate own goal gave the Eagles the victory although the Royals came close to an equaliser as they pressed hard towards the end of the game.

10/2/07 Darby Green Charges

The Royals sealed their first win in division C with an emphatic six goal demolition of Darby. The Charges took an early lead after netting a rebounded free kick but the Royals responded well with Rob charging down the wing providing a cross for Mitchell to fire home an equaliser. Freeman and Edward battled away in midfield setting up Rob to slot home the ball with his left foot. The Charges pressed forward for an equaliser but Macaulie and Ben kept the ball out well. Our three-touch training game the evening before paid dividends as Ben and Mitchell combined to provide Rob with his second goal before the break.

Unfortunately Edward was not well enough to take charge in goal for the second half so Macaulie bravely volunteered. Rowan took charge in midfield breaking down the opposition's play and putting Rob through down the wing on several occasions with Rob skipping past defenders and crossing well for Mitchell and then Ben to increase the lead. Rob then completed his second hatrick of the season with a solo effort placed neatly in the left corner of the goal. The Charges didn't give up and were rewarded with a goal five minutes from the end but Charlie and Freeman dug in to prevent any further erosion of the score.

3/3/07 Twyford Comets Diamonds

A last minute reschedule allowed this game to be played at Twyford as Cantley was rained off yet again.

The Royals attacked well in the first half with Rob, Rowan, Freeman and Mitchell all pressurising but were unable to break down a stern Diamonds defence. At the back Macaulie and Charlie gave good support to the front runners and Edward had a busy time making some great saves before the home team broke through twice before half time.

Ashridge were dominant in the second half and pressed hard for a goal with Ben, Rob, Charlie and Mitchell all making good runs. Freeman and Rowan were resolute in defence stopping everything that came their way. Then just before the end came the goal of the season - a clearance from the Diamonds defence was met by Rowan on the half way line who with an almighty thump sent the ball flying over everyone, looping over the bewildered goalkeeper and dropping into the back of the net in a fashion reminiscent of Beckham's goal against Wimbledon from a similar position back in 1996 .... it cost me £1 and a pack of Shoot Out cards (still, it's better than having to pay him £128m over the next five years!!!).

24/3/07 Whitegrove Tigers

Having lost on their last outing, the Royals were keen to put in a good performance. They were unlucky to find themselves 2-0 down as we approached half time, however, some good pressure from Macaulie and Rowan in midfield set up Rob for a shot low to the near post which was saved only for Ben to bundle home the rebound.

The Royals came steaming out in the second half and really took the game to Whitegrove with Ben, Rowan, Peter and Freeman flooding the midfield and setting Mitchell on some great runs. Freeman breezed past his marker on several occasions. Whitegrove took advantage of a wandering Royals defence increasing their lead to 3-1. The last ten minutes saw increasing pressure from the Royals with Rowan threading through a pass for Rob to volley home (caught by our intrepid camera crew). Rowan came close at the end to stealing an equaliser but his effort struck the post.

14/4/07 Whitegrove Rhinos

The Royals bounced back to winning ways with a fantastic performance against the Rhinos. Rob put the Royals ahead after 5 minutes after some good pressure from Rowan & Macaulie in midfield. Rob & Mitch then both had shots that thundered past the post. A strong fight back from the Rhinos saw them take a 2-1 lead before Rob & Rowan exchanged some great passes for Rowan to equalise and then put another over the bar before half time.

There was more attacking play from the Royals in the second half with Charlie, Peter & Edward looking solid in defence. Ben, having come on as substitute, didn't waste much time taking up some good positions and with two quick goals put the Royals 4-2 up. Rob stretched the lead with his 20th goal of the season before the Rhinos took a late consolation goal.

21/4/07 Laurel Park Hurricanes

The last league game of the season was a tough battle with the visitors pushing hard throughout the first half. Freeman, Macaulie and Edward kept a solid back line and ensured a goalless half time.

The Royals attacked well in the second half with Charlie and Peter supporting from defence. Rowan put in several deep corners but could not find a connection with the strikers. An unfortunate confusion in the ranks during a substitution gave the Hurricanes a simple goal. Freeman and Charlie battled hard to draw level but just could not find the final pass through a packed Hurricanes defence.