Jon Royle looking to be a key man for AFC Telford

The 22-year-old midfielder has earned high praise from Bucks boss Rob Edwards for his showings in last Tuesday’s 3-2 victory against Stockport County and the 2-0 FA Cup win over Barwell on Saturday.

He was given the sponsors’ man-of-the-match award for the latter and, having spent over a year at the club now, wants to cement himself as one of the first names on the team sheet.

Royle said: “I just want to add more consistency now.

“I don’t want to stop there, I want to kick on and keep the performances coming – help get the results for the team.

“That’s the most important thing, to give the club the points they deserve.”

Telford’s successive victories at the New Bucks Head were welcome as they had lost the five games prior on home soil.

After 11 games, they are 13th in the National League North table on 15 points – three points behind the play-off places.

Royle was part of the side that was involved in a relegation battle last season, and is aiming high this time around.

“I am pleased, winning back-to-back home games,” he said.

“We were struggling at home so getting the wins keeps spirits high.

“We need to achieve something. We don’t just want to be hanging around mid-table, we want to push for the play-offs. Hopefully that can start now.

“We have had 12 games and won six so we have won half, which is not bad going.

“But we want to kick on now and win a few more.”

Having joined in September of last year, Royle is now one of Telford’s longest-serving players.

A holding midfielder who screens the defence and breaks up play, he was partnered in the middle of the park by Henry Cowans and Louis McGrory on Saturday.

On how he has found the recent changes at the club and playing alongside new faces, Royle added: “We have got good legs in there and the people who have come in have adapted well.

“Performances have been good over the last couple of weeks so we just want to carry that on and keep pushing on now.”