A last minute screamer from Andy Gamble fit enough to win any game of football gave the royals a winning start to their pre-season schedule. In a game were the royals enjoyed strong spells of posession and detetrmination, the early signs are bright and the coming season could see a major improvement on culshaw's sides previous campaigns.
The pattern of the game was set early on as the royals dominated the ball against their 'gutsy' opponents, showing endeavor and tempo that had previously been absent from royals sides of the past. An early chance was spurned by royals midfielder Martin Dowling as he sent his free header from close range over the bar after good work on the left from davies and charlton.
However it was Mitch F.C who opened the scoring against the run of play after a mistake from the 'rusty' Horrocks in the royals goal.
The game quickly settled into a similar pattern with Mitch's only threat coming from counter attacks following loose royals passes in midfield. Alan Kinney showed his qualities on 28 minutes with a great solo effort that went close and stuey lea showed signs of the creative qualities that attracted Culshaw to the player in the close season.
Royals pressure eventually told and they grabbed their equaliser on 32 minutes following a well worked set piece on the right. Andy gamble and stuey lea worked a quick corner, with gamble floating in a ball that Jon Smith powered home with a commanding header.
The royals were then caught cold after the re-start as a loose pass in the middle of the park was pounced upon and a through ball later Mitch were through and 2-1 up. The second goal that the home side had gifted there opponents on the day.
The last 10 minutes of the half were scrappy with the royals struggling to overcome the dissapointment of conceding straight after scoring and Mitch trying to hit longer passes with ever more frequency.
The second half began well for the royals and straight from the kick off they fashioned a chance down the left with a free-flowing move that Andy Gamble should have finished off. His dissapointment would not be long-lived. Alan Kinney again went close on 62 minutes as the goalkeeper turned his shot onto the post in sensational fashion. Mitch only threatened from set pieces and went close on 64 as a free-kick whistled passed the far post.
It was the turn of Horrocks in the Royals goal to show off his ability on 70 minutes as another loose pass in the royals midfiled left the Mitch forward in a one v one situation. This time Horrocks won the battle and atoned for his first half errors as the game would have surely been over had the chance been converted.
As the game drew towards the last 10 minutes the royals changed there formation and started to press for an equaliser. An added enthusiasm and determination, combined with an increased tempo saw the inexperienced Mitch unable to cope with the incessent onslaught.
The royals were rewarded on 83 minutes as a sweeping team move resulted in Kinney crossing from the left for lea who slotted home from close range.
The Royals sensed the fear spreading through the Mitch ranks and pressed hard towards the end for the winner. The final kick of the game gave the royals what they deserved and it was a goal of real class fit to win any game. With Mitch failing to clear their lines Stockley layed the ball to Gamble, who from 25 yards out unleashed an exquisite strike that nesstled in the top corner.
A deserved winning start to the pre-season from the royals and a good performance to match will leave the management and the players pleased. There were some creases that need to be ironed out both individually and collectively, but the qualities and improvements that the side are already showing justifies and demonstrates the hard work put in on the training ground.
