As the match progressed Royston Town’s increasing amount of territory and possession made life difficult for Wroxham and showed why Royston are leading the chase for second place in the league.

Wroxham, appearing again in their change strip, made three changes to the starting line-up that faced Kings Lynn 14 days ago – Cyan Fulbrook returned in goal replacing Hope Armstrong; Kayleigh Robb and Broghan Scully came in for Naomi Cooper and Zoe Cossey.

After a change of ends, under clear blue skies Royston Town kicked off attacking down the slope toward the Brian Racher Stand.

An early move by Royston was to be repeated a couple of times in the first half – a ball kicked down the touchline for their no 7 (Becky Charter) to chase and cross first time from near the goal-line – the first one flashed within feet of the posts, the second was through a one-two with a teammate straight after the goal but the attempted cross was blocked by Tigi Robson and the third also came from a one-two with a teammate and was successfully crossed into the goalmouth.

Moments after their first foray down the right Royston, were on the counterattack requiring Cyan Fulbrook to make a one on one save. Fulbrook was called upon to make a similar save later in the half.

Wroxham’s first attack came when Alice Parker sent Grace Birchall through on the left. Soon after, Parker was on the end of a late tackle by Royston’s no 4 (Sammy Edgar) when after playing a one-two to clear the ball was sent into the air. The referee saw nothing wrong with the challenge.

16 minutes in, Becky Russell threaded a pass from midfield through to Birchall to run onto and score what proved to be the winner.

A counter-attacking opportunity saw Grace Birchall jump and stretch for the ball and collide with an opponent who was turning into her. Neither player seemed to realise the other was nearby resulting in a collision that was purely accidental. Royston’s bench didn’t see it that way but the referee did and took no further action. Grace had already been on the receiving end of late tackle soon after her goal and would suffer a head injury toward the end of the second half from a clumsy challenge in midfield.

The last action of the half saw Fulbrook save comfortably a shot by Bella Simmons..

Half-time: ROYSTON TOWN 0, WROXHAM 1

Although Wroxham were the better side in the first half, starting the second half attacking downhill with the sun in the Royston defenders eyes didn’t prove to be an advantage it might have first appeared.

Royston seemed to be copying a defence formation used by Germany in the recent Arnold Clarke tournament – when attacking, push a fullback up the wing to make a back three and move a midfielder in front of what is now the sole central defender to be able to create a diamond formation at the back; when the full back returns to defence the original three defenders shuffle across to reform the back four. This arrangement meant that in the second half Royston’s no 4 (Sammy Edgar) could loft the ball from the top of the diamond to either wing, most of the time it went right side to Becky Charter where the slight uphill slope worked in Royston’s favour.

Wroxham’s first opportunity came early from a freekick after Russell passed to Birchall who was then fouled. Parker’s shot went over bar. Fulbrook set up a quick counterattack after foiling an opportunity for Royston to equalise. Wroxham’s best hopes where down their left. Birchall was sent through, but the shot was blocked by a defender to concede a corner. Lauren Bullard came close with a shot from 18 yards which was inches wide of the ‘keepers right post.

However, most of the action was taking place in Wroxham’s half. Royston’s no 3 (Annie Geourgiou) was sent from left back to take in-swinging corners from the right. Wroxham’s defence proved resilient, and three points were well and truly hard earned.

Full-time: ROYSTON TOWN 0, WROXHAM 1