Risborough Rangers ended the season on a low note, losing 3-1 to Broadfields in the South Midlands Football League Challenge Trophy final.

It was always going to be a tough game against an in-form Broadfields United and Rangers weren’t helped when first choice goal-keeper Jack Brooker pulled out during the warm up with a shoulder injury. 

Stand-in development team keeper Norbert Stanszewski was pressed into action and he wasn’t helped by a static Rangers defence as early as the fourth minute when Broadfields broke down Rangers’ left and opened the scoring with a free header from eight yards, giving the young keeper no chance.

Broadfields doubled their lead on eight minutes as they made the most of a fortunate ricochet. The ball deflected kindly from a Rangers challenge and dropped to a Broadfields player on the edge of the box. If the deflection was fortunate the finish was far from it, as he volleyed the ball into the top corner. 

Rangers bought on Kevin Mealor and Asher Yearwood at the break in an attempt to change things and it almost paid off in the first minute when Griggs was through on goal but the normally reliable striker was denied when the keeper made a point blank save. It was to prove a costly miss. 

Three minutes later and Mealor shot wide after a good move as Rangers started brightly. Broadfields defended well in those opening minutes and it was clear that they had no intention of giving up their lead. 15 minutes into the half and Stanszewski had to be quick off his line to deflect a chance as United hit on the break at a rapid pace.

Yearwood headed over from a corner following a freak bounce but then with 72 minutes gone, Rangers were given some hope when Griggs smashed a low shot into the bottom corner to score his 38th goal of the season. 

Broadfields looked nervous now but that was to last for only six minutes however when a flukey goal extended Broadfields lead again. 

Griggs almost pulled one back in the dying minutes following a great free kick but Broadfields held on for a deserved victory and lifted the trophy in some style.