The Royals won their third in a row to move within striking distance of the top but on the day were fortunate that their sloppiness didn't cost them.
The first half started with both defences on top and little football was played. After ten minutes lea and Pitkin in particular started to get a foothold in the game. The Royals again played some good stuff in patches and Cannon looked threatening on the left.
It took 27 minutes for the breakthrough. Man of the match Pitkin took a mazy run at the defence, rode a few challenges and was brought down in the box for a clear penalty. A great run from the midfielder who the opposition struggled with for the duration of the game. Cannon coolly slotted in the penalty. 1-0.
The second came on 42 minutes after a couple of long throws and corners from Cannon in succession, the pressure finally paid off. The ball was hurled in by Cannon and the defence failed to clear with the ball falling to Pitkin who volleyed home in the corner from 10 yards. 2-0.
Straight from the kick off the moment of the game came. Broomhead harassed and won the ball back early and unleashed a tremendous strike from 30 yards that flew past the keeper. A contender for goal of the season and Broomhead leads the clubs scoring charts with 9. The striker is brimming with confidence and is a real handful for defences at the moment. 3-0 at half time.
The second half was a quiet affair really for the first twenty minutes; the Royals had a few chances. Pitkin and Noble went close from set pieces and H.Boutarfa, Cannon and Broomhead could all have added to the score line.
However on 72 minutes, having dealt comfortably with all that P.N.C had thrown at them, a defensive lapse led to a goal. The Royals failed to clear their lines properly and the attacker squared to his teammate to put into an open goal. 3-1.
Two minutes later the Royals hit the self-destruct button. Again adding undue pressure by failing to clear, a rash challenge in the box from Lea led to a penalty. 3-2. in two minutes the Royals had piled the pressure on themselves by giving their opposition two goals. #
In the final 15 minutes P.N.C threw the ball into the box numerous times but on the positive side after a few minutes of madness the Royals went back to the solid side that we have witnessed in the last few weeks. Strong and uncompromising, seeing the game out to clinch a vital three points that puts them in a great position in the division.
The manager insisted that the side take the positives today. The club have come a long way on and off the field and it’s important to remember that three wins on the bounce is a good return and there is still everything to play for this year.
