Luton Town Ladies handed Royston Town their first defeat of the season as Amber Leighton’s first half strike was the difference at Sharpenhoe Road.
Managerial duo Myles Maddix and Fadi Mazloum made two changes to the starting eleven from last weekends Adobe FA Cup victory over Hutton Women, with Jess McKay and Bridget Adu coming into the line-up in place of Cesca Partridge and Nicole Farmer.
Shanice Lewis broke free for the first time in the fifth minute, however her ball into the box towards Elly Wade was held by Millie Carter in the Royston net.
Luton were well on top in the opening stages but had few shots at goal. McKay lined up a shot from outside the area, but her shot was held again by Carter.
McKay’s inswinging free kick from the right-hand side found Tanya Blacksley, who was unable to make any real contact with the ball.
Fiona Buttigieg’s crosses were proving hard for Royston to defend. The first, from a corner was met by the head of Liz Mulvaney, but her header was blocked. The second then came from open play, on the right. She sent in a deep ball which forced Royston to clear behind for another corner.
Buttigieg was involved again when she stood over a free-kick from the edge of the area, but was unable to keep her shot down.
Just before the half-hour mark, Luton took the lead through Leighton. It was a sensational counter-attack goal, the lightning-quick counter saw Lewis break free just after the halfway line, she carried the ball down the wing, her ball into the box was flicked on by Fensome for Leighton, who expertly slotted the ball home.
At the other end, Royston had a corner, after some good defending from Elly Wade, however the corner was powerfully headered clear by Blacksley.
Royston looked to have made an incredible start to the second half, when they was played through on goal, but for Blacksley who made an incredible last ditch sliding challenge to win possession back for the Hatters.
Both sides cancelled each other out well at the start of the second half. Luton’s best chance came in the 70th minute. Some good work from Lewis saw her win the ball back in the Royston area, she decided to take the shot on herself, but Carter was equal to it.
With 10 minutes to play, an optimistic ball over the top from Royston was well held by Sarah Hudson.
The first of seven additional minutes saw a dangerous free kick from the visitors caught by Hudson before Royston defender Tally Miles was sent off in the final few seconds. Gabriella Spillman was through on goal, but the number six dragged her down.
