The first team played local rivals Knaresborough Town last night in there latest West Yorkshire Premier League game. Again it was an entertaining match which saw Ripon go down by two goals to nil, with the referee awarding Knaresborough two very dubious penalties against the run of play.

Ripon got off to a great start with Tom Leeming coming off the right wing and beating two Knaresborough players on the edge of the box with only the ex City Keeper Straton to beat but put his shot over the bar. Matty Mcglinchey again playing another great game for Ripon at left back picked up the ball in his own half and ran forward and after a couple of great passing interchanges with his midfield shot wide from the edge of the box. James Charlesworth making his first start of the season after recovering from a long term knee injury played the lone striker well, holding the ball up and bringing his midfield players into the game, he worked himself an opening but again shot wide from just inside the box. With Ripon dominating the game Knaresborough always looked dangerous with there outlet ball over City’s defence creating the odd chance but Rimmer in Ripon’s goal was left with little to do, until Knaresborough were awarded a penalty as James Mason was deemed to have handled the ball inside the box which seemed very tough as it was impossible for him to get his arm out of the way from a close range shot. Knaresborough scored the penalty on 40 minutes to take the lead.

After half time Ripon picked up where they had left off, and passed the ball well with Matty Forster and Matt Mcglinchey picking the ball up deep and setting off the play, they battled well in midfield and had plenty of pace going forward. Kyle Baldwin was introduced to the game replacing James Charlesworth who had an impressive first game back , Kyle was unlucky not to level the game when he headed wide from six yards after good work from Leeming on the right.  Ripon put a number of crosses and corners into the box which Straton dealt with well. Knaresborough themselves were also passing the ball well and created an opening only for Rimmer to save well, again putting in another assured performance in the Ripon goal.

With 15 minutes left on the clock Knaresborough pushed forward, and with the ball bouncing around in the box the referee judged that Edney had handled the ball and awarded a second penalty to Knaresborough, with both of his hands down by his side it looked to be a really harsh decision by the referee. Rimmer saved the subsequent penalty well, but had no chance as the Knaresborough players reacted quicker to score the rebound to go two nil up. Ripon continued to create  chances but it wasn’t to be there night and Knaresborough held out to finish the game two goals to the good.

Both sets of supporters went home having seen a good contest with two good teams playing some great football. It was nice to see a strong Ripon contingent watching the game making lots of noise of which the players and managment would like to thank them for there support.

Matt Mcglinchey was named Man of the match for another impressive performance at left back, but again there was a number of candidates who performed well. Ripon’s next game on Saturday is away at Field.