It happened again!! On Tuesday 29th September, Risedale travelled away to Outwood Academy Easingwold in a County Cup and Regional Cup double-header. The game was played in great spirit by both teams and proved to be of an excellent standard. Both teams started well; however, Easingwold had the better early chances and executed a long-throw routine just after 15 minutes to go 1-0 up.

The game was fast-paced and played with a great level of skill, which was highly evident in the final 20 minutes of the first half. Risedale levelled through a poacher's finish on the half-turn by Matthew Senivota, before Frankie Dempster (Y10) rifled a half-volley past the Easingwold keeper from the edge of the box. With Risedale leading 2-1 and heading towards the half-time whistle, a moment of magic from the Easingwold number 11 saw the game tied at 2-2 at the break.

Risedale started the brighter in the second half, with Corey Hillman scoring his first from around 25 yards out to the left of the 18-yard box—firing past the keeper into the far top corner. Chances continued to be created by both sides until Corey again found the back of the net from the edge of the box to make it 4-2. Easingwold fought back valiantly, scoring twice in quick succession to take the game to penalties.

Risedale won the toss and chose to take first. Theo Fort, who put himself forward for the first spot-kick, extended his calm and composed performance from normal time, sending the keeper the wrong way to regain the lead. Attention then turned to Zach White in the Risedale goal, who had already made some clever saves and communicated excellently throughout the match.

Easingwold made it 1-1, prompting Frankie Dempster to step up next—playing up a school year, showing a fantastic attitude, and slotting neatly into the bottom-left corner. Easingwold scored again, needing Corey Hillman, having already scored twice in normal time, to find the net once more—which he did to the keeper's left. Easingwold levelled yet again at 3-3 on pens.

Jack Gilroy was next up for Risedale with the chance to put the pressure back onto Easingwold. After a great game in the Risedale midfield, he stepped up and scored in emphatic fashion, driving his penalty into the top-right corner to put Risedale 4-3 up. Easingwold needed to score to keep their hopes alive; Zach White was alert on the line, and the pressure told as the Easingwold player unfortunately sent his penalty wide.

Matthew Senivota then stepped up with the pressure building and proved to be the coolest player on the pitch, scoring the final penalty and leaving Easingwold with no chance to level again.

Final Result - A Win for Risedale! Easingwold 4–4 Risedale (3–5 on penalties)

Thank you to Outwood Academy Easingwold for hosting us at your impeccable facilities, and good luck to your players for the rest of their final year!