Wednesday, 16th September saw Risedale School make the short trip to St Francis Xavier School (SFX) in the Year 9 County Cup. The game was nothing short of a thriller: a classic game of two halves and a dramatic penalty shootout.. 

The match started promisingly for both sides, with plenty of effort and a high level of skill on show. Both goalkeepers started well until the deadlock was broken in the 20th minute, with SFX scoring after some great football down their right wing. The game remained tight until just before half time, when SFX stretched their lead with a clever finish from a corner. At 2–0 down at the break, it still felt like the game was there for the taking.

The first goal after half time felt pivotal, and both teams created great opportunities. A moment of magic from SFX saw a cross from the right find a player at the back post to volley home for 3–0. 

Risedale continued to show their BEST and, with excellent RESILIENCE, produced some neat passing football. Josh Griffin raced away on goal before finishing calmly to start the comeback. Spirits lifted further when Billy Maclean and Joel Mcmahon, who were both excellent in midfield, won the ball back and released Alfie Davies, who fed Josh Griffin to double his tally and make it 3–2.

Chances kept coming for both teams. Great pressure from Corrie Russell set up Harry Garner, but his effort hit the post. Josh Griffin found space again, only to see his shot fly narrowly over the bar, before another chance for Corrie Russell went just wide. With time running out, the centre-back pairing of Eloi Taylor and Flynn Hampson held firm to keep SFX at bay, setting up one final moment of magic. Josh Griffin completed his hat-trick to bring the scores level, showing fantastic composure and close control when one-on-one with the keeper.

The game finished 3–3, leaving penalties to decide the victor.

Once again showing an outstanding level of commitment, the boys stepped up to the mark. Corrie took the first spot-kick, sending the keeper the wrong way, but his effort narrowly clipped the post and went wide. SFX scored theirs to take the lead. Josh Griffin then converted his penalty before an SFX player hit the bar.

With the shootout tied at 1–1, Billy Maclean calmly slotted his penalty past the keeper. Karl Smith then added to his match heroics by saving the next SFX penalty, putting Risedale ahead for the first time at 2–1. Up stepped Harry Garner, who proved to be the calmest player on the pitch as he dispatched his penalty into the top corner to put the pressure back on SFX. Karl Smith dived to his right for the next penalty, getting his fingertips to the ball, but SFX managed to score.

That left Lukas Thornton with the chance to seal the match. He stepped up and calmly scored, securing a 3–1 penalty shootout victory for Risedale after a dramatic 3–3 draw in normal time!

Thank you to SFX for hosting us and for displaying a fantastic attitude and high level of skill throughout. It was an incredibly enjoyable match for everyone involved, and a real shame that only one team could progress in the County Cup.

#TeamRisedale 💙💜🧡❤️ #BEST

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