Report from George Clandon

Dalton United 1. Burscough Richmond 2.

Richmond made the long distance 90 mile trip to Railway Meadow, Dalton in Furness for this West Lancashire division one game.

The match could easily have called off the day before, but for some sterling work by the Dalton club groundsman who worked late into Friday evening to get the pitch prepared; Richmond were appreciative of his efforts having not played the two previous Saturdays due to the Richmond park pitch in Burscough being unfit.

Referee Mr. Sumner blew his whistle for Richmond to start the game, on a chilly, dark and overcast day.

The visitors took the game to home side, playing some enterprising football in the first ten minutes of the match - the first early effort for the visitors, a free kick taken by Ryan Giller, went wide after taking a deflection off striker Jordan Lorde.

The home side forced two consecutive corner kicks which Richmond dealt with admirably, and on seventeen minutes, Richmond are awarded the first of two penalties, following good play down the left flank by Captain Lee McNabb, Ryan Giller and Ian McKinty, McNabb and McKinty both playing in different positions in the side leading to infringement.

Jordan Lorde (pictured) drove his shot past Jack Evans in the United goal; one nil up, the visitors deserving of their lead, although local support believed the spot kick a little harsh.

Ryan Giller brought a very good save from Evans around the twenty six minute mark, followed by a Lorde attempt which was fired straight at the United keeper.

Dalton were slowly edging their way back into the game, a good save by the Richmond keeper thwarting their attempt. On forty three minutes Dalton were awarded a free kick just outside the away sides penalty area - it took a deflection off Gareth Jones who claimed the goal to level up the match; the goal came totally against the run of play leading into half time, Richmond obviously disappointed at conceding a goal so late in the half.

On resumption of play Richmond gained a free on the left flank about thirty yards out, taken by Lee McNabb, the in-swinging kick found Lorde in space and time to pick his spot - unfortunately Richmond’s leading striker headed high when it could have been easier to at least find the target.

The Burscough side didn't get deflated by the miss, when on fifty five minutes they were awarded a second penalty, keeper Evans having a rush of blood to the head bringing down striker Lorde in the penalty area, referee Mr. Sumner having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Lorde once again took the kick, found the back of the net to give the visitors the lead and striker Lorde's 21st. goal of the campaign.
Ryan Giller brought two quality saves from Dalton keeper Evans which atoned for his earlier error; the home side came more into the game as the second half wore on, tiredness beginning to set in with the Richmond players, on a surface although playable sapping the strength of the team.

The injured Callum Thompson was replaced by Anthony Murt - Murt who hadn't played since the beginning of the season, filled in very well in the striker’s role after playing predominantly as a defender last season.

The Richmond defenders were having their work cut out toward the end of the game, the stoical Scott Taylor alongside the unflappable Mario Kramny both having to defend for their lives as the home side threw everything but the kitchen sink at their visitors...

Towards the end of the match the hosts thought they'd done enough for the draw when they arguably found the back of the Richmond net - unfortunately there was a raised linesman flag, bringing the decision into question by the referee, and after a short consultation the goal was disallowed.

It left a sour taste in the home supporters’ mouths, but Richmond had a similar incident with their last home game.

Manager Mike Clandon’s reaction to the victory? His team played the conditions well, giving special praise to man of the match Ian McKinty who worked his socks off and Captain Lee McNabb, both players playing out of their normal positions.

It wasn’t the easiest of pitches with a determined opposition, especially in the second half - Richmond had the luck on the day but deserved their win.

Well played both sides.