Hamlin lane was the venue of round 2 for the Royals.
The opposition were league 3 high flyers Stoke hill. Royals lined up with Hawkins in goal, then McCarthy, Keen, Burley and Clegg. A five man midfield of Bearne, Valentine, Morgan, Vooght and in form Jon Eaves, leaving Marcus Stapley alone again up front.
An even first half saw chances go begging for Stapley, Morgan and Eaves, whose corners were causing massive problems in the Stoke defence. 0-0 at half time. 48 minutes on the clock when a Neil Keen long pass was bought down by Matty Bearne who couldn't quite get the shot away. The ball fell to Mark Vooght who volleyed from 20 yards out into the bottom corner via the post. Stoke hit back when McCarthy was overloaded down the left. An Oliver Youell cross was poked in by Grant Howland via a deflection off Burley to beat Hawkins’ despairing dive to level. Thipthorpe was introduced down the right as the Royals went for it!
They won it when Valentine and Clegg exchanged passes onto Vooght who fed Morgan - his low cross was well finished by Jon Eaves. Stapley and Eaves and Jon Thipthorpe could have added more, but the Royals backline stood firm for a hard fought win 2-1.
GO ROYALS !