Risborough progressed to the First Round of the FA Vase with a relatively comfortable win over United Counties Premier Division South side Northampton Sileby Rangers.

The home side started well and took the lead in the 8th minute when Josh Williams turned his marker and pulled the ball back for Niko Muir who also turned his marker before firing past Josh Meadows in the visitors goal.

Three minutes later Elliott Buchanan saw a fine effort tipped over by Meadows who also made a good stop from a Muir strike on 26 minutes. Risborough did extend their lead on the half hour mark, however, when a delightful through ball from Stefan Powell set up Jack Hutchinson who danced past Meadows and a defender to calmly slot home.

Just before the break Williams set up Rio Connell whose strike from the edge of the box crashed back off the Northampton bar. Rio wasn’t to be denied, however, as in time added on and again set up by Williams, he drilled home to give Risborough a 3-0 lead at half-time.

Rio returned the favour just two minutes into the second period when he flew down the left wing and squared the ball to Williams to shoot past a stranded Meadows. Just sixty seconds later, however, Northampton should have pulled one back when the Risborough defence left acres of space in the area but the fine cross never found anyone to put it into the net.

Risborough have spent quite a bit of time on the training ground working on set pieces and on 52 minutes the hard work came to fruition with a corner routine that ended with Josh chalking up his second of the game.

He scored his third on the hour mark when a great pass from Niko Muir allowed the winger to chalk up his second hat-trick of the season.

To Northampton’s credit they never gave up and they did grab a consolation goal on 65 minutes when the home defence seemed to switch off, allowing Frankie Webster to get on the score sheet.

That was a good as it got for the visitors as the Rangers of Risborough continued to fashion decent chances and eventually see out the game.

Next up it is a return to League action with Risborough hosting Dunstable on Monday 14 September. As always, your support would be much appreciated.

Come On You Ris!

Tickets for tonights game can be purchased here