The Royals started the season with a point in a game they may feel they should've won comfortably. Missing several key players again through injury the Royals still managed to create numerous chances and Culshaw will be pleased to see that his squad has the determination to pull through difficult moments.
The game began with the Royals playing some neat stuff without threatening the final third. A couple of long range efforts from Merrie and one from Haines didn't trouble the P.N.C keeper. It took 15 minutes until the first real goalmouth action as a gamble corner was met by Smith who forced the keeper into a good save, tipping over the bar. Another free header from Kemble, again from a Gamble corner, was squandered and sent marginally over the bar but the royals had the better chances early on.
After dominating the opening 30 minutes a rare lapse in concentration from captain Kemble and Davies let the impressive P.N.C forward in on Paxton in the royals goal. Fortunatley the attempted lob went just wide of Paxton's post and the royals escaped punishment on this occasion.
They wern't however so fortunate on 37 minutes as it was P.N.C who broke the deadlock. After conceding a corner Merrie lost his man at the back post and the Royals were one down against the run of play. It was dissapointing after a determined first half display and yet again the royals were behind due to a defensive mistake.
The last 8 minutes of the first half were spent much as the preceding 37 had been, with the royals having plenty of the ball but lacking a cutting edge in the final third. P.N.C went in 1-0 at half time.
The second half started brightly for the royals and the determination and work ethic that the manager demands was evident early on as they created their best chance of the match so far. Good work down the left from Davies and Haines resulted in the ball being crossed to an unmarked Jackson who astonishingly missed his header from 4 yards when an open goal was gaping. Hands on heads throughout the pitch and on the sidelines as it was a moment of pure agony for the player and his teamates alike. This set the precedent for the half as it was the first of a number of chances missed by the home side.
The balls reigned in on the P.N.C back four and the crosses kept on coming but the royals lacked conviction and P.N.C stood strong. Missed opportunities from Davies, Haines and Dowling went by in quick succession and the frustration was mounting.
With the royals pushing forward gaps were being left and P.N.C broke clear only to find the impressive Paxton in the way. One save tipping round the post following a quick brake was particularly pleasing and another solid performance from the keeper added to his impressive start in the Royals goal.
With chances spurned, tactics and formations tinkered with, the royals looked like they had run out of ideas. It would have been an injustice to lose the game but P.N.C had impressed with their ressilience. It looked as though it was going to be a defeat for the Royals but luckily the previously unseen genius of Jackson was unleashed to salvage a point for his side.
The moment came in the 81st minute. As had happened numerous times in the half the ball was lofted hopefully into the P.N.C box only to be cleared again. This time the ball landed with Merrie who's quick shuffle across left Jackson with the ball twenty yards out. A quick look down and an unbelivably clean connection sent the ball rocketing past the sprawling keeper and into the top corner. The bench went mad, with Culshaw and Foot running down the line and Jacskon was engulfed by his teamates. A great moment for the Royals who again showed their fighting spirit to come from behind.
With the final 9 minutes played out in a scrappy manner both sides settled for a point, moving on to the next game with the first points on the board. The Royals were dissapointed not to win the game but in hindsight with 10 to go a point is a adequate start.
The Royals will be looking to push on when they meet AFC Rainford at St Helens Road on thursday with the squad knowing there is plenty more to come.
