Captain Marvel!

Risborough FINALLY managed to play their long-awaited home fixture against Flackwell Heath on Tuesday night, as the weather abated and the pitch was deemed playable. Thank you to all the staff who helped to get this game on, and to the Risborough U18 parents who have volunteered to help repair the pitch ahead of the First Team match on Saturday! Teamwork.....

Flackwell had scored 39 goals in 7 games coming into this match and as the division's top scorers with an average of more than 5 goals per game it was always going to be tough to keep them out. Despite this it was Ris who created the first opening of the game following a long through from Bekir, making his full debut, which Ballantyne shot but the keeper saved. 5 minutes later and Ballantyne was at it again, latching onto a through ball from Morgan, but again the shot was easily saved. On 10 minutes a pinpoint through ball saw Flackwell 1v1 with Janes in goal, but the keeper saved well. Most of the early pressure was from Risborough, and the lively Kemp was a constant threat down the right and his great cross for Wilkins was followed up with a zigzagging run and shot which the keeper saved. Then another warning on 20 minutes as Flackwell again broke 1v1 with Janes and yet again he saved brilliantly with his legs, staying big until the last moment.

On 20 minutes that warning turned into reality, as a Flackwell corner evaded everyone for the simplest of headers at the back post - a goal we've seen too many times this season and the lads are determined to do something about. Another shot from Balantyne followed, and another great run from Kemp but to no avail. Then on 30 minutes we were outplayed in midfield, Flackwell broke on the right and fizzed a great ball into the box for the striker to steal in front and tap in from 5 yards. A really great goal, but one which when we analyse it had so many opportunities to be cut out. The first half continued to ebb and flow, with the last chance falling to Ris when Stupples got to the line, pulled back for Kemp to set up Wilkins but his shot was well over.

The second half was a majestic performance from Risborough, defying the odds to battle hard against undoubtedly the best team we've faced this season. 5 minutes into the second half and a free kick for a foul on Bekir saw the resulting freekick from Caille headed just over from 10 yards from Bekir. Then on 55 minutes we got the reward we deserved, with Morgan capping off a superb captain's performance by hitting home from close range from a Caille corner. Morgan then went on to put in two or three last ditch tackles to thwart the Flackwell attack and drove us forward at every opportunity. Man of the match by some margin! Chances came and went for both sides, substitutions slowed the game down and in the end it was Flackwell who were playing for time in the last 10 minutes....

So 1-2 the final score and although Ris lost the game spirits were high at the end as we held our own against arguably the best team in the league. Now we've got to do it all again next week in the return fixture....