Crows claim Rovers’ scalp with last-gasp double

A cruel late Royston Town double saw Barton Rovers fall to their first defeat of the season at Sharpenhoe Road last night as the Crows soared to a 3-1 victory, writes Mark Wood.

The Blues looked to have salvaged a point when Jermaine Hall’s header cancelled out Luke Robins’ early second half strike.

But Niran Vaughan’s horribly unlucky own goal and substitute Matthew Standen’s injury-time strike sealed victory for the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central new boys.

An open start saw the tackles fly in and Rovers had half shouts for a penalty turned down on eight minutes when Nat Peacock raced on to Danny Payne’s high ball over the top and he appeared to be knocked off his stride by Jack Bradshaw as Luke Howard gathered.

Bradshaw was booked for a crude challenge on Ricky Case on 17 minutes, while Rhys Hoenes almost got on to Peacock’s flick but was thwarted by Howard.

The Crows had penalty appeals go unanswered on 20 minutes when the ball appeared to touch Andrew Iwediuno’s hand while executing a fine sliding tackle.

Liam McDevitt saw yellow for an elbow and Kaan Fehmi for a poor tackle as this tasty affair heated up.

Robins was allowed to seize on a loose ball but fired over, while a weak free-kick by Rovers old boy Lee Wilson deflected off the wall and was saved by Richard Willmott.

The visitors started the second half brighter, Robins heading over from Wilson’s cross and should have take the lead on 52 minutes when Ryan Ingrey’s header was perfect for Joe De La Salle but he could only head over from a yard out.

Moments later the Crows wasted another glorious chance when Rovers committed hara-kari in defence but the unmarked Ingrey could only head wide.

However, they took the lead moments later when Robins rounded Willmott and slid home into the unguarded net.

Howard again displayed his propensity to punch from a Ricky Case free-kick but saved well from Hall’s follow-up.

The prolific Fehmi fired wide and Robins had a powderpuff effort well block by McDevitt as they pressed for a second.

Ross Collins fired powerfully wide on 67 minutes, while substitute Dave Parkinson’s overhead kick sailed over the bar as Geoff Baffo too was introduced.

A double Royston substitution followed and a Barton free-kick whizzed across the face of goal with no-one able to get a touch.

Willmott had to be alert to react to a through ball and Barton pulled level on 79 minutes when a great free-kick was whipped into the box and Hall rose at the back post to head back across goal and in.

Disaster struck for Barton with four minutes to go when Wilson raced down Royston’s left flank and his cross was deflected up and over Willmott and into the far corner by the hugely unfortunate Vaughan.

Barton pushed everybody forward looking for an equaliser, but the closest they came was substitute James Ferguson’s drive wide of the post.

In stoppage time he gave the ball away and Royston replacement Standen’s curler dipped over Willmott and in to seal victory.

Blues: Richard Willmott, Niran Vaughan, Phil Smeaton, Tommy Hull (C), Andrew Iwediuno, Liam McDevitt, Ricky Case (Dave Parkinson 60), Danny Payne (James Ferguson 82), Nat Peacock, Jermaine Hall, Rhys Hoenes (Geoff Baffo 70). Substitutes not used: James Ferguson 82), Colm Kierans, Paul Andrews.

Crows: Luke Howard, Lewis Endacott, Lee Wilson, Joe De La Salle, Jack Bradshaw, Ross Collins (C), Carl Edwards, Ryan Lockett (Matthew Standen 73), Kaan Fehmi (Tom Malins 73), Ryan Ingey, Luke Robins. Substitutes not used: Rhys Lawrence, Josh Bronti, Jonny Butler.

Booked: Bradshaw 17, McDevitt 22, Fehmi 26

Referee: Anthony Da Costa.

Assistant Referees: Philip Crossland and Ian Wilson.

Attendance: 159.