Reliable Royals rumble on (From Gazette Series)

Reliable Royals rumble on

Stroud League Division Seven North Nibley Res 1 AC Royals 4

AC ROYALS maintained their promotion bid with another good away win, this time over North Nibley Reserves.

Royals should have taken an early lead but Matt Sansum managed to head the ball over the bar from two yards out.

Clive Phillips was virtually untroubled in the visitors' goal except for one effort due to him losing the flight of the ball in the sun.

Royals continued to create chances and Ade Howarth headed just wide from a corner.

The breakthrough came ten minutes before half-time when a cross by Chris Roberts was turned into his own goal by a Nibley defender.

Then a free-kick by Nick Wytchard was fumbled by Nibley's goalkeeper and Jonny Armstrong was on hand to tap in for 2-0 just on half-time.

The second half was a scrappy affair but Royals eventually increased their lead when a good move down the left found Jon Williams 20 yards out and his powerful shot flew in despite the goalkeeper getting his hands to it.

Howarth scored the fourth with a header from an Armstrong corner.

North Nibley got a late goal from a penalty rebound ten minutes from time after Phillips saved the spot kick.