Match report from George Clandon

Richmond made the round trip of 180 miles to play Hawcoat Park in this West Lancs. division 1 match and came away with all three points on an atrocious day, played on a heavy pitch, on the Barrow peninsula.

The away side, on a five game unbeaten run, wanted this game played to keep up the momentum leading towards the semi final of the Lancashire Amateur Shield at Skelmersdale United on Tuesday the 28th of March, 7.30 kick off.

The visitors kicked the game off and went straight onto the attack, the ball finding its way into the back of the Hawcoat net within the first minute. Quick thinking by left fullback Anderson who found space down the left flank, then lifting the ball over the Park defender's to find Ryan Giller inside the penalty area, the midfielder forcing a corner off the surprised Hawcoat defender.

The resulting kick taken by Giller dropped tantalizingly onto the head of striker Ian McKinty, who powered the ball into the back of the net, for Richmond to take an early first minute lead; that early goal put Richmond on the front foot, encouraging more sorties into the home sides half, McKinty, Giller and midfielder Nathan Martland all having chances in the first 15 minutes of the game.

After the flurry of the first 15 minutes, the game settled into a midfield mode, the home side gaining some composure after the early set back, unfortunately for the home side, they failed to make any impression on the Richmond defensive line.

The away sides defenders commanding in the first half, central defender Scott Taylor marshalling his defence well. The referee blew the halftime whistle with Richmond only having one goal to show for their superiority.

Following a halftime substitution of Lee Morton for central defender Mario Cramny, defender Morton was quickly into the fray, instrumental along with Anderson and Martland in gaining a free kick 35 yards out and to the left of the penalty area on 65 minutes.

Nathan Martland who had been giving the home side a torrid time, took the free kick and found Saul Gruffog ghosting in unmarked, just beyond the corner of the opposition’s six yard box - the young fullback didn't let the ball hit the ground and fired in a dangerous volley across the box.

The ball reached Hanson who had his initial shot saved by the host keeper, unluckily the ball rebounded off the Park keeper straight into the path of Ian McKinty who swallowed his chance and forced the ball over the line for his brace of goals, giving Richmond a deserved two nil lead.

Richmond changed formation to see out the game, with two more substitutions of Tom Corrigan and Peter Armitage. Unfortunately the visitors conceded a penalty near to end of the match on 88 minutes; Chris Jones harshly judged to have brought down the Hawcoat forward, which was a debatable decision as both players where outside the penalty box when the initial interception took place, the two players sliding over the line on the wet surface and into the penalty area.

After some initial indecision by the referee, she eventually pointed to the spot, bringing out unwarranted protests from the Richmond bench. The protests had no influence on the penalty decision, with the Hawcoat midfielder Ollie McGuire dispatching the ball past the Richmond goal keeper for a two one score line.

The goal had come too late in the game for the home side, leaving Richmond the task of just seeing out the last few minutes of the match, which they did admirably. Man of the man went to Nathan Martland who had worried the home team’s defence all through the game.

Well played Richmond, the 180 miles round trip had been worth it, but travelling that far is a big ask for any amateur club both In precious weekend time and club finances.

Next match is at home at Richmond Park, Richmond v Lytham Town 3pm ko. Refreshments available. Pay us a visit, we'd love to see you!