Richmond in FA semi-finals

THE quarter final of the FA Lancashire Shield proved to be one of the prouder moments in Burscough Richmond’s recent history.

Playing against the odds, versus Bolton side Turton, currently seventh in the West Lancashire Premier league, and a division above.

The Burscough side came away with a convincing win to progress to the semi-finals of this special competition.

Over the years Richmond have had a little pedigree in the Shield having been losing finalists in 1995, semi-finalists 1996 and again losing finalists in 2004.

The last final was against Kirkham and Wesham, now Fylde FC, currently playing in the National league North.

After three minutes’ silence for Remembrance weekend, on a damp and overcast day, the home side started play.

First attempt early in the match went to Ryan Giller who fired over the bar.

Captain Lee McNabb followed up with an effort minutes later, but the shot went wide of the mark.

The home side took the game to their Premier League opposition and playing with lots of fluency.

Richmond were given a fright around the 15 minute mark with an uncharacteristic mistake by the usually reliable Chris Jones who’s headed back pass fell woefully short of Tom Shacklady in the Richmond goal.

Fortunately the omens were blessing the home side as Shacklady made himself big, forcing the Turton forward to fire wide.

The visitors took heart from the mistake and forced a substantial amount of play in the home side’s half, gaining a free-kick wide left of the Richmond penalty area.

The free kick looked to be heading into the top of the net, which forced Shacklady brilliantly to push the ball over the bar for a corner kick.

Closing half time, Chris Jones atoned for his earlier indiscretion, with a superb defence splitting pass which found Pete Armitage with a goal scoring chance, the big striker unfortunately was flagged offside.

Richmond went into half time with a creditable 0-0 scoreline, obviously pleased they had contained the opposition.

Turton came out for the second half with all guns blazing and hit the Richmond bar from a deflection off a Richmond defender, the shot leading to a corner kick.

Richmond, counter attacking, created the opening goal on 50 minutes.

Good interplay with Nathan Martland and Lee McNabb on the right side of the penalty area saw the captain lift the ball over the opposing defenders, finding Jack Golding unmarked on the far edge of the six yard box.

The whispy striker didn’t wait for the ball to drop but choose to volley it into the back of the net.

It was a superbly taken goal, with the visiting defenders open mouthed as the ball spun over their heads.

Peter Armitage, who’s contribution in the first hour of the game had been immense, was replaced by Jordan Lorde.

Richmond’s current top goal scorer who was soon in the thick of the action.

Picking up a pass on 65 minutes from the ever improving Tom Corrigan, the Richmond striker galloped into the Turton penalty area, where he was unceremoniously brought down by an away team defender.

A penalty was given by referee Mr. Ball to the vitriolic protests from the Turton defenders.

The penalty turned into a comedy of errors for the young Turton goalkeeper Josh McGrievy.

Trying to distract the Richmond penalty taker Lorde, with a certain amount of antics, referee Ball blew his whistle and the Richmond striker lashed the ball into the back of an empty net to go two goals up.

Once again to protests from the visiting team that the goalkeeper wasn’t ready.

Referee Ball wasn’t having any of it and the goal stood.

It was a sensible piece of refereeing, had the keeper been in place he may have saved the shot.

Richmond had forced Turton’s hand which lead to several corner kicks for the away side in the last quarter of the game.

Richmond defenders McNabb, Disley, Taylor and John Anderson, who received the man of the match award, courageously held the line, along with goalkeeper Shacklady.

Nathan Martland, who it must be stated has given Richmond an extra confidence with his experience in semi-pro football, danced his way past a couple of defenders, only to lose control of the ball before pulling the trigger for a shot on goal.

Another substitution for Richmond - midfielder Ian McKinty on for Tom Corrigan.

Jordan Lorde finally put the game to bed on 86 minutes with a super ten yard finish.

Once again Martland was instrumental in the lead up to the goal.

This goal was the defining moment as all the players ran to congratulate the goalscorer, with the tidy sized crowd full of appreciation for the Lorde goal.

Referee Ball blew for full time to applause from all who watched the match, Richmond now in the semifinals of the FA Amateur Shield.

Well played Richmond with commiserations to the visitors, we wish them every success.