Richmond sizzling as Green off colour in Shield clash

RICHMOND got back to winning ways with this 3-2 victory in the second round of the Lancashire Amateur Shield at Richmond Park - Richmond having been given a bye in the first round.

The centre of defence looked a lot more solid, with the inclusion of two senior players, Scott Taylor and Ash Disley.

Hurst Green kicked the game off on an afternoon that threatened rain, but fortunately didn’t happen.

It didn’t take Richmond long to get into their stride, when within five minutes a Nathan Martland strike brought a good stop from the Hurst Green keeper Jack Lawrence.

Hurst Green attempted a shot on the 15 minute mark which was well saved by Tom Shacklady in the Richmond goal.

Richmond took the lead two minutes later with a Jack Golding goal, the home side creating some good passing movement on the edge of the opposition penalty area.

Martland, Giller and Thomson provided the final through ball, giving the slightly built striker a great opportunity which he tucked away very confidently from six yards.

On 20 minutes Richmond were unlucky to have a second goal ruled for offside, the strike by Nathan Martland glancing off one of the home players stood on the goal line.

Golding went close again on 25 minutes, good work by Nathan Martland, who it must be said brings a positive option to Richmonds front line, back with Richmond after a spell in non league football.

Hurst Green are without doubt a tidy outfit, who gave the the home defenders problems in certain times of the first half.

Those problems as far as Richmond were concerned came to fruition on the 30 minute mark when the away side were awarded a penalty by referee Mr.Woodcock.

An infringement inside the home team’s penalty area by defender Scott Taylor who was adjudged to have used his arm when dueling with an opposition forward, a little harsh but the penalty was given.

The spot kick was a pivotal moment in the match as Jake Craven missed the target, firing wide.

The visitors were forcing the pace nearing half time and went very close to an equaliser, prior to that Richmond had another good chance from Martland.

Referee Mr Woodcock blew for half time with the hosts satisfied with their first half efforts, but perhaps could have been another goal to the good.

A minute after the restart Richmond were rewarded with that elusive second goal.

Gaining a corner kick taken by Ryan Giller, the inch perfect corner found the head of Ash Disley who’s powerful header was only partially stopped by goalkeeper Lawrence, rebounding back to the big central defender who drove the ball over the line.

Leading up to the hour mark Richmond seemed to go into silly mode with more than several passes going astray and slicing clearances off the side of their boots.

This part of the match let in the opposition with an own goal unfortunately conceded by captain Lee McNabb.

Richmond regained their composure with shots from Martland and Golding, both players not quite finding the target.

That all changed on 65 minutes, when midfield dynamo Chris Jones hit a daisy cutter from 25 yards out.

Hurst Green didn’t give up and were rewarded for their persistence with a second goal scored on 70 minutes.

A great diagonal ball to the far post headed in by striker Jack Haworth.

It was Richmond’s day as the referee blew the final whistle, Managers Clandon and Swift chose John Anderson as MOM.