First League Win!

Risborough U18s made it two wins out of two last night and registered their first league win of the season, beating Abingdon 2-1 away from home. The match was nearly abandoned by the referee before a ball had even been kicked, with the pitch markings barely visible. Both teams were keen to get the game on however so after some strategic cone placement (that's SO non-league) the game was back on.

Ris were also hit with the news that striker Dev Ballantyne was only fit enough to make the bench, but fortunately reserve striker Alfie Janes was ready and waiting in the wings, and keen to take full advantage of the opportunity. The pitch was not in great condition, which made playing out from the back a lottery with wobbles and bobbles all over the place. The players soon adjusted and early half chances fell to both sides, with the best falling to striker Janes after 10 minutes after some good interplay on the right from Alfie Peake-Pijnen and Charlie Stupples and then Sam Wilkins who twisted and turned on 15 minutes only to see his powerful shot blocked. Janes was a constant threat and had the beating of even the fastest Abingdon defenders, forcing mistakes and chasing down balls that noone else could reach.

Chances continued to fall to both sides, but the breakthrough came after 33 minutes when a hopeful Abingdon shot from the edge of the box trickled through the hands and legs of keeper Harry Quigley before nestling in the back of the net for 1-0. Heads did not go down as Ris knew they were playing well and the chances continued to come, with Thomas Coker delivering a number of perfectly weighted free kicks into the box, the best of which ended with Stupples heading wide from 10 yards. Stupples was involved again shortly afterwards setting up Wilkins for another shot, before heading a Janes corner just wide. More good interplay between Stupples and Wilkins saw the latter thump another rasping shot which the keeper could only parry into the path of Oli Williamson whose dinked header found the keeper's gloves.

It's fair to say Abingdon were begging for half time and the mood in the Ris dressing room was loud, proud and very positive. The second half started much the same as the first had ended, with Ris piling on the pressure. Peakey was always lively down the right and saw a long-distance shot well saved, and a deep cross just out of reach of Wilkins. George Caille at right back was bombing forward at every opportunity with Logan Barton and Jake Watson snuffing out any threat from Abingdon and Dylan Leighton, on as a half time sub for the industrious Lochlan Warkcup, marshalling the midfield brilliantly and winning numerous 50/50 battles.

Then finally on 60 minutes, with Ballantyne warming up to replace the tiring Janes, one final burst of lightning speed saw the striker latch onto a through-ball from Peakey only to be brought down in the box for a Ris penalty. Janes brushed himself off and smashed the pen straight down the middle for the equaliser, and gave himself a big shot of adrenaline in the process. Five minutes later and it was Peakey that made way for Ballantyne who was given a simple instruction from coach Ben Stupples - "This is your moment - get out there and be the match-winner!" It took him less than 10 minutes to do just that, receiving a great pass from Barton before driving forwards and hitting a powerful arcing shot from all of 30 yards which the keeper got fingers to but couldn't stop it hitting the inside of the post and going in. There was still time for a couple of scares as Abindgon tried to hit back but they found keeper Quigley in fine form and determined to make up for the earlier error, tipping over a close range effort and then saving another double chance onto the bar. A flurry of substitutions saw Sam Russell, Rob Higley and Kieree Anns enter the field to see us over the line, and it was Ris who ended the game stronger, pushing for another goal right to the death. It finished 2-1 and Ballantyne's awesome strike sealed a well-deserved win and the chants of 'Devin's on Fire' could be heard all the way back in Risborough!!!

Onto our next match in 10 days time which sees us play Abingdon again in the home fixture..... UP THE RIS!!