Play Off Tie Goes The Distance - Royston Town vs. Barton Rovers

Dusk at Garden Walk

Play off season has begun in non league and I had a now rare, midweek game between Royston Town and Barton Rovers in the Southern League Central Division. I had previously visited Garden Walk for a FA Vase match against Tiptree Town back when Royston were in The South Midlands League. That match went to extra time which should have served of some sort of warning. In the regular season Royston had finished a distant second behind champions Kettering while Barton finished fifth ahead of Rugby Town who had lost to Royston on the last day. Both of the regular season games had been won by Royston without Barton scoring. Royston had hit form at the right time, winning eleven of the last thirteen games.

Kick off in the semi final

Barton start on the front foot and they win a free kick in a decent position which the home defence is able to clear. The visitors then get a ball in behind in the Royston defence but the keeper is first to the ball. Barton do get the ball into the net with a header from a corner but the goal is ruled out by the referee for pushing. Royston manage to push back Barton and they win successive throws by the corner flag but these come to nothing. The Barton winger then goes on a mazy run after cutting in from the wing and the keeper makes a decent save at his near post. Royston manage to etch out a couple of half which fail to seriously trouble the keeper. Just before half time, both sides are reduced to 10 men following a two footed tackle and the usual aftermath.  

Barton clear in front of the wooden standing cover

Barton have the first sight of goal in the second period with a header from a corner which is claimed by the Royston goalie. Royston then get on top for the first time in the match and the Barton defence has to be alert to deal with a threatening cross into the box. They come close when following a quick break down the wing, the attacker is able to find his fellow forward but his shot is straight at the keeper. The home side come even closer when the Barton keeper makes a great save to tip a shot from the corner of the area onto the bar. There are no goals in normal time and so the match goes to extra time where there are also no goals. Barton win the eventual shoot out which I missed (as well as ET) as I didn't want to get back too late - I should have heeded the lessons from my previous visit.

A Barton attack in the first half breaks down

To get to Royston you have to take a train from Kings Cross and if you get a quick train you can be there in forty minutes. Garden Walk is then a ten minute from the station. In terms of pubs in the town centre there is The Green Man which had an extensive range of beers on tap and in bottles. The Coach and Horses which you pass when walking to the centre from the station has Sky Sports for the early kick off. The clubhouse had a couple of ales on and also had Sky Sports.

Wing play in front of the stand