Premier Division
Hillingdon Borough 4 Royston Town 1
Saturday, 18 December 2004
A final five minute flourish of 2 goals, gave the scoreline the deserved winning look, for an in-form Hillingdon Borough.
The first half saw Boro dominate the proceedings but they could only score one goal in a period where 4 or 5 seemed the more likely outcome. That one goal came early in the 6th minute, by way of Blaise O'Brien's glanced shot; this from a free kick delivered low and fast by Dave Lawrence. As much as Hillingdon dominated the possession and goal scoring chances, they could not find the finishing touches to put the tie to bed, within that first period.
The second half saw the Visitors come into the tie and as Boro became lazy, Royston's belief began to grow. They got their 63rd minute reward when a mistake by Boro's defence let in Craig Hammond, who had time to place a shot wide of Boro's keeper Gary White.
Within minutes though, Boro restored their lead when a shot-come-cross from Skipper Joe Moran managed to squeeze into the goals at the near post, with several defenders in attendance. Boro now got the bit between their teeth and with the introduction of pacy forward Alex Gaye, they managed to create havoc in Royston's rear guard.
Gaye twice managed to catch players in possession and both times goals were scored; once from his own run and cross for Crosby to slide in; the other to release winger Dave Lawrence to cross for Stefan O'Brien at the back post. For the second game running O'Brien's late 90th minute, penalty box run got its just rewards, as he side-footed home Boro's 4th.
Hillingdon still are in several Cup competitions and have a busy schedule ahead but in this sort of irresistible form, 2005 is looking to be an exciting time at Middlesex Stadium.
Team: GK: G.White, R.Fontaine (J.Duncan), R.Fenton, M.Kidson , A.O'Grady, J.Moran D.Lawrence, S.O'Brien, A.Crosby, B.O'Brien (A.Gaye), D.Bennell
Boro' Scorers; B.O'Brien 6th, Moran 64th, Crosby 87th & S.O'Brien 90th |
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