Royston Town picked up their second win of the season - even if it was not exactly a wholly dominating performance.

A goal from Harvey Beckett three minutes into the second half gave them a 1-0 win over Kettering Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central, their second success of the league season so far.

It was a match that saw both sides reduced to 10 men, Oluwakoyejo Dawodu sent off for a professional foul after Kettering keeper Daniel Jezeph for handling outside the area.

But Crows manager Chris Watters says the result, coming on the back of the FA Cup win at Bedford Town, is showing signs of their improvement.

"It was smash and grab," he said. "Hands down the best team we've played.

"Going in at half-time, after all their pressure, we knew they couldn't get any better but we had nobody who was a five out of 10 in possession. We kept giving it back.

"We had to hang on and we amended it slightly in the second half but that's two clean sheets in a row and for as bad as we've been with the football and taking chances, we've been excellent for two games defensively.

"To come away with a win against a side that is as good as any out there, it makes it even sweeter."

 

 

Chris Watters was delighted with the win at full-time. Picture: PETER SHORTChris Watters was delighted with the win at full-time. Picture: PETER SHORT (Image: Peter Short)

The summer and the start of the season has seen the Crows' small squad tested by various things like players moving on and injures.

Such is the life of a small non-league club admits the boss.

Watters said: "We had a few good up the levels, we don't begrudge them that, we know what we are.

"We know lads will come here and go on, even the lads that have gone to step three clubs have gone to powerful ones and have probably been rewarded financially.

"You want to keep more but I already know I've got four or five who will be looking at step two next season and I'll have to do it all again.

"You can take self pride in that you've been part of someone's journey but ultimately I want us to be in and around the play-offs.

"We'll be competitive in every game but it will probably be November before we can put a full strength squad out.

"I thought last year it was a tough league, I think this year it is even harder and looking at the sides that could come up for next season, it could be harder again.

"We know we can't compete with the likes of Kettering but all we want is the boys to be honest, that is all we can ask for."

For now though the focus is on a busy couple of weeks, starting with a trip to Lowestoft Town on Tuesday, and then an FA Cup match at National League South Aveley.

That will mean long hours for the boss even if planning will end up being rushed.

He said: "I try and ignore what teams do well, Kettering for example do a lot of things well, but we try and focus on what we can do. We didn't do that, we didn't get out of the traps.

"But we've got footage on Aveley and I know their group well, but there is no point putting a game plan together until who I know is available [and I won't know that until after Lowestoft].

"We'll have to manage Thursday's session and this is the hardship that happens behind the scenes at non-league level.

"But I'd rather be talking about it than not."