Matchday Programme 202526-Royston Town

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MATCHDAY MASCOTS Today we welcome representatives from St Ives Town Under 9’s who are our matchday mascots. We hope you have an enjoyable afternoon!

Representatives from the U13's side joined us for our last home game of 2025 against Barwell and we hope they enjoyed their day as matchday mascots!

AWARD WINNING HOSPITALITY! St Ives Town have formally received their award from the Padded Seat for the best non-league food for season 2024-25.

The Ives were first notified of their award in August, and the trophy was received last week. The Padded Seat visit clubs at all levels of football to sample their VIP hospitality and provide video reviews of the experience.

St Ives Town Co-Chairman Andrew Dunn said:

“As a club we are delighted to receive the award from the Padded Seat. We were voted best in the league last season by officials of other clubs, so this award was extra recognition. I am delighted for our catering Manager Mark Walker, his team and everyone else behind the scenes who have worked hard to improve this area of the matchday experience. The trophy we have received looks great, and it will have pride of place in our hospitality/VIP room at the club”.

ROYSTON TOWN THIS SEASON! LEAGUE CAMPAIGN SO FAR Games-24 Wins-3 Draws-7 Losses-14 Points-16 The Crows will have come into this season hoping to build on a very respectable season in the Southern League Premier Division Central, with Royston Town managing a solid 11th place finish in the 2024/25 campaign. Unfortunately for manager Chris Watters’ side, they have endured a tricky first half of the season, with Royston currently sitting in 21st position having picked up 16 points from their opening 24 league games. However, they come into this afternoon’s contest on the back of an impressive performance against Bishop’s Stortford, which saw Watters’ men come away with a 2-1 victory, a win which they need to build on in the new year if they are to stand a chance of staying in this league.

Crows faithful were treated to a spirited run in the FA Cup, with Royston seeing off Redbridge and Brentwood Town in the first two rounds to set-up a Third Qualifying Round tie with King’s Lynn Town. The step two outfit were too good on the day for Watters’ side, as Lynn ran out 5-1 winners at Garden Walk.

Like Ives, today’s visitors fell at the first hurdle in the FA Trophy, with Welling United managing to overcome Royston 3-0 at Garden Walk as the home side bowed out of the competition at the 3rd Qualifying Round stage.

ROYSTON TOWN THIS SEASON! ROYSTON TOWN-PLAYER IN FOCUS

Joe Iaciofano Age: 27 Number: 7 Position: Forward Iaciofano made the move to Garden walk this summer having been a graduate at Northampton Town. The 27-year-old forward spent last season at Hemel Hempstead Town in National League South and has previously applied his talents for St Albans City, Oxford City and Hampton & Richmond.

The Royston number seven has enjoyed a strong start to the season, scoring seven goals in 19 games. Most recently, Iaciofano scored an all-important brace in Royston’s 2-1 win over Bishop’s Stortford last Saturday and previously scored back to back goals in late November against A.F.C Sudbury and Barwell to secure two important points for his side.

No doubt Watters and the rest of the Royston faithful will be hoping he makes an impact today at Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.

ROYSTON TOWN-PLAYER IN FOCUS

LAST MATCH

REPORT!

Saturday 27th December

Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central 27-12-2025 Written By Nigel Howlett An excellent all round performance on a heavy pitch saw Ives celebrate the festive season in style by taking a maximum return from the play-off chasing Pirates. With skipper Michael Richens serving the second game of his two match suspension for his red card at Stratford and his replacement Ethan Creary on the bench the armband went to the experienced Jernade Meade and the ex-Arsenal man seized the opportunity with a hugely influential performance in the centre of the park to take the man of the match award from the large travelling support. There were plenty of others giving him a run for his money for that accolade with seven other players all picking up votes.

The ball playing hosts started the game as they meant to go on moving the ball around well and trying to thread their way through, or around, Ives well organised defensive formation. Whilst the Pirates struggled to find a way through in those early exchanges the pace and persistence of Theo Alexandrou and Liam Cross was causing them problems on the occasions when Ives were able to break. Archie Jones clumsily brought down Alexandrou 30 yards from goal to pick up an early yellow card. But Cross’s resulting free kick was cleared away from danger by Drew Richardson.

The ever-reliable Ollie Taylor in Ives goal generally spent his afternoon gathering overhit through balls or comfortably dealing with tame shots. But he did make one crucial save in 20th minute. A long ball up the centre by Elliot Simmons evaded both Jordan Williams and his challenger Ben Stevens to let Jones get clean through. Keeper Taylor quickly closed him down and made an excellent diving save low to his left to turn the ball around the post.

Ives opener five minutes later came from yet another of their swift breaks out of defence.

Kellan Hickinson brought the ball forward and threaded the perfect ball around a defender to put Alexandrou away through the right channel. Struggling centre back, ex Ives man, Sam Cartwright was forced to slide in and take him down. Referee Mehul Karia took a moment to consider and issued a yellow card to the recalcitrant Cartwright. But the resulting free kick proved to be the Pirates undoing. Cross delivered it out swinging to back post where Duncan Idehen rose above his marker. Had he met the header cleanly it may well have been saved. But the ball came off his shoulder and gently looped over keeper Craig King into the far corner of the net.

LAST MATCH

REPORT!

Saturday 27th December

Going behind spurred the home side into greater efforts but they remained patient in their build up and with Ives defending their box resolutely chances were limited. Conor Tee fired a 35th minute effort across the face of goal and wide after patient build up by Josh Stechell and Stevens down the right. Moments later a left sided corner bounced off Idehen and Allen as the pair challenged for it in the centre of goal. The loose ball dropped to Stevens who snatched at the chance and fired well over the top.

Silky wing back Shaheim Ward combined well with Stevens to win another corner for the hosts in 39th minute. This time Stevens delivered his flag kick deep beyond the far post where Richardson had cleverly dropped off to find space. But rather than direct the ball back into the crowded centre the big centre back went for goal from a narrow angle and fired his volleyed effort high and wide.

There was one added minute at the end of the first period and that was long enough for Ives to double their advantage. The ball was fed down the left before it was pulled back to Gibou Njie 25 yards out. His shot struck a defender and ricocheted across the box to Jahrel McKoy who hit a fierce rising drive from 15 yards that keeper King did brilliantly to keep out diving full length to tip the ball onto the inside of the post. But the agile stopper was not helped out by his defenders who allowed Alexandrou to get between them to bundle the loose ball over the line past the helpless keeper.

Now desperately searching for a way back into the game the hosts began to go long a little more often. But a lot of their attempts to turn Ives rigid back line were overhit and comfortably gathered by the ever-alert Taylor. The Pirates did manage to create a few opportunities, ex Ives striker Allen could only fire into the grateful arms of Taylor after Meade had been forced into a mistake 25 yards from his own goal.

Taylor did well to maintain Ives two goal advantage by acrobatically denying Stevens ten minutes after the restart. The Pirates number ten initially combining well with Setchell down the right. He then got on the end of the winger’s pull back and fired in an effort from just outside the box that the diving Taylor palmed around the post. Stevens went even closer to hauling his side back into the game on the hour as he latched onto another long ball and cleverly curled in a 25 yard effort that beat the diving Taylor but rebounded to safety off the upright.

LAST MATCH

REPORT!

Saturday 27th December

But having weathered the Pirates pressure Ives began to again create chances of their own and Cross had a very good shout for a penalty waved away by the otherwise excellent Mr Karia in 72nd minute. Cross ran onto a clever clip through by Alexandrou and was inside the box when he appeared to be taken down by a desperate lunge from Richardson.

But it was not long before Ives killed off the game. They won their only corner of the second half in 84th minute. Cross delivered it into the mix where it was knocked out to Williams at the back of the box. He showed great composure to roll it back to Njie just outside the box and he in turn hung up the perfect ball to the back post where substitute Ethan Creary had ghosted in unmarked to plant his header beyond the diving King.

Allen did finally grab a goal for the hosts, but it was nothing more than a consolation as he fired home after good work from Tee down the left with two minutes to go. Ives saw out the remaining time plus five added minutes without any further scares. The only noteworthy action in that added time being a fierce effort from young substitute Daniel Efobi who latched onto a long ball and outpaced Richardson before firing inches wide from a narrow angle.

No games are easy in this league but with the next two matches coming up against the bottom two Ives will hope to take this momentum which they have ended 2025 with into the New Year with a view to returning them to the top half of the table.

Final Score: Real Bedford 1 St Ives Town 3 Half Time 0 – 2 Goals: REAL BEDFORD: Allen 88 ST IVES: Idehen 25, Alexandrou 45+1, Creary 84 Team Line Ups: REAL BEDFORD: King, Richardson, Cartwright, Watkins (capt) (Evans 63), Setchell (Deall 84), Jones (Weyman 75), Stevens, Tee, Simmons, Ward, Allen, Unused subs: Morrell, Davies ST IVES: Taylor, Williams, Idehen, McKoy (Creary 78), Cross, Hickenson (Forde 58), Miles, Njie, Smith, Alexandrou (Efobi 82), Meade (capt), Unused subs: Tessler, Shepherd Referee: Mehul Karia Cards: Yellow: REAL BEDFORD: Jones (5), Cartwright (23), Stevens (76), Richardson (86) ST IVES: Creary (81) IVES SUPPORTERS MAN OF THE MATCH: Jernade Meade Attendance: 562

RESERVES, U18s AND LADIES ROUNDUP! RESERVES NEWS!

Since our last edition of the match programme, the reserves have been in action as they returned to league action against Buckingham Development. The Reserves ended the year on a high as the fought some tricky pitch conditions to come away with a 1-0 victory, thanks to a superb goal from Jacob Dickinson.

They will be playing this afternoon as the make the trip to A.F.C Kempston Rovers Reserves.

U18s NEWS! Our U18s have had a well-earned break since our last edition, but will be action on Monday night as they host Godmanchester Rovers U18s at Quattro-Tech Westwood Road in the Quarter Final of the County Cup.

LADIES NEWS Our Ladies side have been in action since our last edition, with Simon Dixon’s side picking up one win and one defeat from their festive fixtures. An impressive 6-2 win over Willingham Wolves Ladies was followed by a narrow 4-6 defeat to Cambourne Town on the seventh of December.

10 TO TACKLE QUIZ! We are back for the fourteenth edition of ‘10 to tackle’ for the 2025/26 season! This time, we will be testing you on some of 2025 biggest football moments! Can you get all 10?

GOOD LUCK! 1.Which team finished top of the Premier League table at the end of 2025?

2.Who scored the most Premier League goals in 2025?

3.Who scored the winning penalty for the Lionesses in the Euro’s final?

4.Which team won their first trophy in 70 years?

5.Who won the 2025 UEFA Conference League?

6.Which team announced plans for a new stadium?

7.What is the name of Everton’s new stadium?

8.How much did Aston Villa receive for the sale of John Duran?

9.Which Portuguese Football Club did Jose Mourinho join in the summer?

10.Who won the 2025 Ballon D’or?

Want to find out how you got on?

Answers on page 50

After 24 rounds of fixtures, Ives find themselves in...

13TH

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FORTY-FOUR years on from his debut TV appearance on a BBC1 news report, Tony Incenzo is closing in on fulfilling a lifetime dream.

As a fresh-faced Queens Park Rangers superfan, it was a trip to local club Hendon which ignited the teenager’s love for the NonLeague game.

Fast forward four decades and Tony’s fire burns fiercer than ever and a quite incredible feat draws near.

Tony’s teenage dream to watch a match at every Non-League ground in the country is now incredibly just SIX visits away from being completed – and 2026 is finally the year he intends to fulfil it.

With grounds on all four corners of the UK (and even beyond) all ticked off, the ultimate groundhopper – a bi-weekly columnist for The NLP - can now look forward to trip to Blyth Town, Elburton Villa, Ilminster Town, Fulwood Amateurs, Sunderland West End and Albion Sports/Route One Rovers (groundshare) to complete the card.

Tony’s aim is to visit all six grounds by April – at least until the promoted sides from Step 7 enter the National League System to add a few more to the tally. It really is a never-ending feat.

“Having travelled from Dublin, down to Cornwall and all the way up to Northumberland, Tony reveals his top 10 highlights for the second half of 2025 in date order to follow on from his NLP column from May. Tony tells of his visit to his native Ireland to watch the FA of Ireland Cup, the last Cornish ground off his checklist and a trip to the Fylde Coast in the Isuzu FA Vase with a vociferous welcome.

He also took in the UK’s first private football academy and a Midland Football League match abandoned in the first half due to high winds.

And find out also how Steven Gerrard managed a name check on his travels.

In 2026, The NLP will be there every step of the way as Tony looks to chalk off his last remaining six grounds, while the ever-popular Diary of a Groundhopper and our Hopping Poet, Chris Towers, will continue to give their own individual takes on the life of a Non-League football fan.

Like Tony and the rest, we’re Hopping Mad for the Non-League and remain committed to bringing you unrivalled coverage again in 2026.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Last month, Tony completed another page of his giant log book where he has handwritten details of every one of the 5,780 football matches he has attended since his first admission in 1971.

In this week’s NLP, in the shops, and online, as usual this Sunday, Tony looks back on a myriad of amazing adventures watching 70 NonLeague matches throughout 2025.

By Jon Couch

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A big thank you to everyone who has given up their time to contribute to this edition of the Matchday Programme!

Front Cover Photo-Ollie Jones From The Boardroom-Andrew Dunn Previous Match Report-Nigel Howlett Non-League Paper Article-Jon Couch Player Pictures-Jamie Read Game information-Nigel Howlett Opposition Profiles-Royston Town Opposition Photos-Royston Town Programme Adverts-Mark Taylor

MEET TODAY’S OPPONENTS Jamie Head (Goalkeeper) Joined us last season on a dual-registration basis with St Albans City before signing on for us as our Number 1 this season. Jamie’s previous clubs include Berkhamsted, Cambridge City, Dunstable Town and AFC Dunstable.

Reuben Rabstein (Goalkeeper) Joined the Crows in season 2023/24 from New Salamis FC. Reuben’s other previous clubs include Wingate & Finchley and Maccabi London Lions.

Louis Chadwick (Goalkeeper) Talented young keeper who re-joined the Crows on loan from Kings Lynn Town at the beginning of November. Louis was previously on loan at Garden Walk from Cambridge United throughout season 2023/24.

Adam Murray (Defender) Team captain, who can play as a central defender or striker, joined us at the beginning of season 2017/18, having spent the previous two seasons at Cambridge City where he made 60 appearances. Given the different positions that Adam has played, he has amassed an impressive haul of 70+ goals in around 300 appearances for the Crows.

James Brighton (Defender) Experienced full-back who joined us in November 2019 from Kettering Town, where he had spent a successful four seasons. James has previously played for Hemel Hempstead Town, Cambridge City & Cambridge United.

Archie Locke (Defender) Young defender who joined us from Harpenden Town last season and quickly made a good impression, Archie previously played for Hoddesdon Town & Hertford Town.

Jordon Frederick (Defender) Experienced, versatile player who can play in defence or midfield, Jordon joined the Crows from Berkhamsted at the beginning of this season. His previous clubs include Aylesbury United, AFC Dunstable and Hemel Hempstead Town.

MEET TODAY’S OPPONENTS Ellis Bates (Defender) Young defender who joined The Crows on loan from Stevenage at the end of December, Ellis was awarded a professional contract with The Boro at the start of this season after being included in their 1st Team squad on multiple occasions throughout last season, capped off with an impressive debut against Bolton Wanderers on the final day of the campaign.

Luke Warner-Eley (Defender) Rejoined the Crows towards the end of last season from Bishop’s Stortford, Luke was previously with us in season 2019/20. His other clubs include Peterborough Sports, Billericay Town and St Albans City.

Anton Matthews (Defender) Signed for the Crows for the start of this season, Anton is a commanding defender who was with Witham Town last season.

Ollie Stephenson (Defender) Young pacy, athletic full-back who joined The Crows on loan from Watford at the beginning of November, Ollie was awarded a professional contract with The Hornets at the start of this season.

Konstantin Ivanov (Defender) Left-sided defender who started out with Brentford, Konstantin joined us in mid-December from Beaconsfield Town, he also previously played for Bracknell Town..

Jesse Akubuine (Midfield) Started his career at Brentford before moving to Queen of the South in 2017. After 2 years North of the border Jesse joined AFC Rushden & Diamonds before spells with Stratford Town, Bedford Town and Waltham Abbey. Joined the Crows at the start of last season.

Harvey Beckett (Midfield) Signed in July 2024 following his release by Cambridge United. Whilst at The Abbey he spent time on loan at St Neots Town, Concord Rangers and a successful spell with the Crows at the start of the 23/24 campaign.

MEET TODAY’S OPPONENTS Will St Clair-Burton (Midfield) Midfielder who joined us on a dual-registration basis from Chesham United at the end of October, Will joined Chesham last season from Aylesbury United and was previously with the MK Dons Academy.

Thomas Avgoustidis (Midfield) Joined us at the start of this season from Leyton Orient, where he was part of their academy. Whilst with the O’s Thomas spent time on loan at New Salamis, Cheshunt, Hornchurch and Potters Bar Town.

Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyei (Midfield) Joined us mid-December from Berkhamsted, Kwadwo is a powerful, versatile player who has also played for Slough Town, AFC Dunstable and London Colney.

Reece Nicholas-Davies (Forward) Signed from Barton Rovers at the beginning on November, Reece started with the Derby County academy before having spells with Fulham, QPR and Tilbury.

Kian Harness (Forward) Rejoined us in last season following a brief spell at Bishop’s Stortford this season. Local lad Kian played for Royston Town Youth and Royston Town Under 18s. He progressed to our First Team in season 2022/23, scoring around 20 goals to date.

Joe Iaciofano (Forward) Talented striker who joined us for the start of this season, Joe was originally a graduate of the Northampton Town academy. Last season he was with Hemel Hempstead Town and previously represented St Albans City, Oxford City and Hampton & Richmond, scoring goals consistently.

HISTORY OF ROYSTON TOWN Records show that the club came into existence in 1875 making Royston the third oldest club in Hertfordshire after Hitchin and Bishop’s Stortford.

The club's first notable achievement occurred during the 1911/12 season when they won the Creake Charity Shield by defeating Wisbech 1-0 in extra time.

In more recent times, Royston achieved significant success when they were promoted to the Herts County Premier League during the 1969/70 season.

Subsequently, they became champions in 1972/73 and 1976/77. The team rejoined the South Midlands League in 1978 and secured the Division One title immediately. The club's success continued with appearances in the Herts Charity Shield final in 1979 and as runners-up in the South Midlands League Premier Division in 1980. The Herts Charity Shield was won in 1981/82, and two years later, Royston joined the Isthmian League Division Two North, remaining there for a decade before returning to the South Midlands League in 1994.

After facing a challenging period that led to relegation from the South Midlands League Premier Division at the end of the 2006/07 season, Paul Attfield was appointed as the manager, with Tony Galvin returning as the 1st Team Coach in November 2007.

Under Paul's leadership, the team underwent significant changes, and a 17game unbeaten streak propelled them from the bottom of the table to a commendable 5th-place finish in the League. This set the foundation for the successful 2008/09 season, where they secured the South Midlands Division One League title with impressive stats: W33, D4, L3, GF138, GA30, GD+108, PTS 103.

The 2011/2012 season marked a pivotal moment in the club's history when they clinched the South Midlands Premier Division title, earning promotion to Step 4 in the form of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central.

In their first season back at Step 4 after 19 years, Royston exceeded expectations, consistently performing well and even contending for a playoff spot. However, a last-minute equaliser in the final game dashed their hopes.

The following season also saw them reach the playoffs, but the team faced challenges after Paul Attfield's resignation due to ill health. Steve Castle was appointed Manager in December 2013, and the team continued to strive for success, ultimately earning promotion to the Southern League Premier Division, marking the highest level of play in the club's 142-year history.

HISTORY OF ROYSTON TOWN Seasons 2017/18 and 2018/19 were characterised by solid performances, finishing 7th and 9th respectively in the Premier Division Central. The 2019/20 season proved to be one of the most successful and thrilling in the club's history, with remarkable performances in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

The team's standout performance in the FA Trophy brought immense pride, especially with victories against higher-ranked teams, although the Concord Rangers quarter-final tie ended in disappointment. Despite strong contention for the league title, the Covid-19 pandemic forced the nullification of the season, leading to bitter disappointment.

Season 2021/22 resulted in an eighth place in the league following an inconsistent league campaign. Performances in FA competitions were disappointing, beaten at Garden Walk by Step 4 Mildenhall Town and exiting the FA Trophy early, beaten by Kingstonian in a penalty shoot-out. The highlight of the season was wining the Southern League Challenge Cup, beating the Southern League Premier (South) champions Taunton Town 7-0 on aggregate.

In season 2022/23 injuries to key players and poor away form in the league ended with a 13th place finish in the table. In the FA Cup & Trophy Royston Town were defeated at the second hurdle, by Hemel Hempstead & Heybridge Swifts respectively.

Season 2023/24 saw Chris Watters take over as manager, mixed form resulted in a mid-table finish, with early exits in the FA Cup & FA Trophy.

We finished last season in a mid-table position in the league after slipping away towards the end of the season when drawing eight of our last twelve games. We performed better in the FA competitions, falling at the third hurdle both in the FA Trophy & FA Cup, losing to higher-league opposition in both cases.

QUIZ ANSWERS! We hope you enjoyed our fourteenth edition of ‘10 To Tackle’ for the 2025/26 season! Some tricky ones in there, so well done to anyone who gets 10/10 this week. Let’s see how you did!

WELL DONE! 1.Arsenal 2.Erling Haaland 3.Chloe Kelly 4.Newcastle United 5.Chelsea 6.Manchester United 7.The Hill-Dickinson Stadium 8.€77 million 9.Benfica 10.Ousmane Dembélé

We’ll have a brand new quiz ready in time for our next home fixture. Until then, thank you for playing and...

Enjoy The Game!

MATCHDAY SQUADS

Ollie Taylor (GK) Ethan Creary Aaron Smith Jordan Williams Jernade Meade Jahrel McKoy Ed Hottor Michael Richens Claudio Dias Albie O’Keefe Johnson Gyamfi Gibou Njie Theo Alexandrou Liam Cross Jiah Medrano Alfie Shepherd Evan Watkins Neo Dobson Matty Miles Duncan Idehen George Munday

Louis Chadwick Reuben Rabstein Ollie Stephenson Adam Murray Anton Matthews James Brighton Archie Locke Jordon Frederick Ellis Bates Konstantin Ivanov Luke Warner-Eley Kwadwo Bugyei-Kyei Jesse Akubuine Harvey Beckett Thomas Avgoustidis Will St Clair-Burton Kian Harness Joe Iaciofano Reece Nicholas-Davies

Management Teams Ricky Marheineke (Manager) Adam Fisher (Assistant) Jim Freeman (Assistant) Frankie Fry (First Team Coach) Paul Swannell (Goalkeeping Coach) Jardaine Patel-Joseph (Physio)

Chris Watters (Manager) Harry Smart (Coach) Scott Taylor Coach) Jason Maguire (Goalkeeper Coach) Juan Borragiero (Physio) Alex Thomas (Data Analyst)

MATCH INFO

Kit Colours Shirts-Black and White Stripe Shorts-Black Socks-Black

Shirts-Yellow Shorts-Yellow Socks-Yellow

Goalkeeper Kit

Goalkeeper Kit

All Blue Kit

All Crimson Kit

Match Officials

Referee-Christopher Darling Assistant-Ryan Middleton Assistant-Oliver Sadd Location Details

Stadium-Quattro-Tech Westwood Road Pitch Type-3G Surface Kick Off-3:00 PM