Penn....Again!

Having faced Penn & Tylers Green twice in the Allied Counties, and then again this week for the First team, it was Penn yet again this weekend, as we faced their U18s in the Berks & Bucks Bill Gosling County Youth Cup. Risborough were in desperate need of a confidence boosting performance and looked the stronger team during the opening exchanges, finally getting the breakthrough on 28 minutes following some great interplay on the left hand side between Sam Wilkins and George Caille, the latter putting the ball into the 6 yard box for Devin Ballantyne to control, swivel and score for 1-0. Ten minutes later it was 2-0 after another great combo down the left saw Sam Wilkins drive into the box before cutting back for left back George Caille to sweep home from 10 yards. Just before half time Penn grabbed a goal following a defensive mix-up but within 60 seconds the two goal lead was re-established, when Devin Ballantyne caught the Penn keeper in possession and passed into an empty net.

At half time the Risborough players and coaches talked about game management, staying tight at the back and playing quickly through the middle third, and that's exactly what happened second half. Alfie Janes took over in goal after Harry Quigley had taken a blow to the head at the end of the first half, and took to the role with ease. It took 10 minutes for Ris to increase their lead with another assist for Sam Wilkins which Lochlan Warkcup placed into the top corner at the second attempt after his first was blocked. More chances followed but it wasn't until the 80th minute that Ris added to the scoreline, when a pinpoint through ball from Charlie Stupples found Deven again in the box whose low drive found the bottom corner. Hattrick in the bag, but Devin wasn't finished there and when Rob Higley floated over a lovely corner in the 88th minute Logan Barton rose high at the near post and his header was blocked but smashed home from close range by Devin again.

The 6-1 scoreline was a fair reflection on the day, and although Penn battled hard they were well beaten and Risborough claimed their first scalp of the 2023/24 season. Now on to a tricky away fixture at Wallingford & Crowmarsh midweek in the Allied Counties.