It is probably fair to say that the Gladwish Challenge Trophy is not top of manager Gary Meakin’s priorities for the 2026-27 season. He therefore used the fixture against Letchworth Garden City Eagles as an opportunity to look at some of his squad members, with his starting eleven featuring only two of the side that started against Sawbridgeworth Town the previous weekend. He was rewarded not only with a victory but also with one or two players making a strong case for inclusion in the first team.

One such candidate was winger Ronnie Rock, whose eighth-minute cross forced a despairing visiting defender to stretch out a leg and turn the ball into his own net. Fellow winger David Appiah then saw his 16th-minute effort well saved by Sonny May in the Letchworth goal, but any thoughts Risborough might have had of an easy night were dismissed in the 22nd minute when Lawrence Burton took advantage of the home side’s failure to clear their lines and shot past Rangers goalkeeper Ben Bridle-Card.

Letchworth could have had a second on 36 minutes when a breakaway saw Burton beat Bridle-Card but, luckily for Risborough, not the post. It was 1-1 at half-time.

The second half brought another somewhat disjointed performance from the home side, although they were rarely troubled by the visiting attack. Jon-Jo Bates saw his 53rd-minute free kick saved by May. Rock and Aston Odeyale made regular forays down the wings, but the final ball repeatedly let them down. Letchworth’s best effort came on 78 minutes when Stanley Clare shot narrowly wide.

The winner came in the 85th minute and, in keeping with the rest of the match, was something of an untidy affair. A Stefan Powell free kick was met by the head of Jordan Ajanlekoko, and the ball somehow squirmed through a pack of defenders and attackers to sneak past May. Still, they all count, and this one secured victory for Rangers and a place in the Third Round.

Next up is a return to Premier Division action with a tough trip to Biggleswade United this coming Saturday, 24th October. All support would be greatly appreciated.

Come On The Ris!

Match report by Mark Brennan