New-boy Watkins will miss out as Royston Town prepare for big FA Cup day

Latest signing cup tied

Having already collected some great FA Cup memories, Adam Watkins is gutted to be missing out on Royston’s biggest ever tie tomorrow.

Watkins’ professional debut came in the world’s oldest cup competition, when he came on as a late sub for Luton in their third round tie at Southampton in January 2010. A year later, he scored a late winner as Luton, then in the Conference, pulled off a shock by beating League Two Northampton Town in the first round. Royston, who Watkins rejoined this week, will play in the fourth qualifying round for the first time ever tomorrow when they host Isthmian One North leaders Maldon & Tiptree.

But Watkins will have to sit it out as he played in an earlier round for Cambridge City, who he left on Tuesday for a second spell with the Crows. “Yes I’ve had some good times in the cup,” he said. “Southampton was quite a place to make my debut, especially as they had the likes of Adam Lallana, Ricky Lambert and Michail Antonio playing.

Meanwhile

Steve Castle has warned his Royston Town players they will have to significantly up their performance levels if they are to make more FA Cup history on Saturday.

Since beating Beaconsfield to make the third qualifying round for the first time ever, the Crows’ form has dipped somewhat, losing 4-1 at Hednesford on Saturday before just scraping a 1-1 draw in last night's derby against Hitchin. They will need a marked improvement this Saturday if they are to make the first round proper of the world’s oldest football tournament, and a potential tie against a Football League club.While they have a home tie against a team from the level below, visitors Malden & Tiptree sit top of the Isthmian One North table with six league wins out of six.

“From our point of view, we never really got to any performance levels we’d be wanting to,” said Castle following the Hitchin game.

“Fair play to Hitchin, they quite rightly went in front and showed calmer heads to a player, whereas I could probably count on one finger the number of our lads who were as committed as I wanted them to be.

“It wasn’t the best of nights from our perspective, and I don’t know if I’m giving them an excuse, but it’s one of the biggest games this club has ever had on Saturday.

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