Risborough Thamed

Risborough U18s played their first game for 2 months on Monday, following numerous postponements due to weather, opposition not able to field a team, and even an opposition who refused to play due to it being too cold!!! .....and what a game it was, played in a really good spirit by both teams.

We won't say too much about the first half, other than that rustiness showed and despite lots of hard work most attacking moves broke down at the crucial moment due a poor touch or poor pass. We still looked fairly decent for the first 20 minutes but Thame then scored a fortunate goal direct from a corner, then followed up with 2 more before half time to make it 3-0. Half time the message was very much 'don't panic' but the next goal would be crucial and if we could get it we could come back....

Second half started brightly and it took just 10 minutes for our slick passing to open up their defence with a pinpoint pass from Wilkins, expertly finished first time by Ballantyne. Less than 10 minutes later and Ris were piling on the pressure which resulted in a corner, taken by Caille and thumped home by Russell from point blank range. Ris were pushing hard for an equaliser and it came around 10 minutes later, when the hard working Caille released Ballantyne who slotted cooly home for 3-3.

It looked like that would be that and the comeback was complete, but Thame came strong in the last 10 and keeper Janes had to make a number of outstanding saves to keep us in it. Then with 5 minutes remaining Thame found space in the box and a hopeful ball smashed across goal came off the face of their striker and went in. 4-3 the final score, but huge credit to these Risborough boys who would not lie down. We're showing we can complete in this league!