Report from George Clandon

On a damp and foggy afternoon Richmond welcomed CMB to Richmond Park for this West Lancashire league first division game.

Richmond had a 0 - 2 win in the corresponding fixture at Bolton, the highlight being a 40 yard screamer from ‘Super’ Mario Kramny, a goal that won't be forgotten easily for those who witnessed the big defender’s strike that evening back in September!

After the kick off, CMB left all festivities behind, going close on a couple of occasions and worrying the home side’s defenders.

Richmond, it must be said, were suffering the post festive blues early in the first half, but an attack down the right wing by Nathan Martland saw his pin point cross just elude striker Jack Golding at the last second. And it was Golding who minutes later had a golden opportunity to open the scoring.
A bad defensive pass by the CMB right fullback gave the home side’s striker the chance for Richmond to go one up - unfortunately Golding drilled his shot wide of the post with a gaping goal and just the keeper to beat...

Jack Gelding’s miss would prove costly as CMB took the lead on the 15 minute mark, after a corner taken from the right fell right into the danger area. Richmond’s defenders effort at clearing their lines where lacking, the ball falling to Mike McGinley who volleyed into the Richmond net from the edge of the box, leaving Richmond keeper Shacklady powerless to save.

CMB were playing some very good football now, with Richmond looking decidedly ragged, the home sides passing uncharacteristically poor.
It could have been the team were showing the visitors far too much respect; the influential Nathan Martland was the man trying to drag Richmond back into the game, but a very soft and muddy surface was hampering the home side’s efforts - his free kick half way through the first half just skimmed off a CMB defender's leg for a corner kick.

CMB weren't to be outdone when a speculative shot hit the foot of the Richmond post, then was safely cleared by the home side.

Minutes later striker Jordan Lorde brought an excellent save from CMB keeper Vicars who collected the ball low near his left hand post.

Richmond were now slowly edging their way back into the game as referee Miss E. Carney brought the first half to a close.
The home side definitely had a lot to think about before the second half, but had a definite change of attitude after the restart as Jack Golding’s right wing run looked promising; cutting inside onto his favoured left foot, he lost control and fired over. And Jordan Lorde gave the CMB back four a headache after beating two men in the penalty area, but once again the finish was missing.

Lorde would be on the end of a wonderful right wing cross from the rookie right back Saul Guffogg,
the Richmond striker’s header not finding the target, but really the attempt should have made the keeper work the cross that was gilt edged.

The equaliser came shortly after on the 55th minute as a corner kick by Jack Golding dropped virtually in the same spot were the home side had conceded their goal - the opposition defender's were slow to clear, which let in Ian McKinty, the wispy midfielder pounced onto the loose ball and lashed it into the top of the net.

Richmond where firing on all cylinders when Guffogg put Jack Golding through on goal, but once again Golding didn't find the target.

Captain Lee McNabb was next on the scene, when once again from an excellent position he couldn't find the target - Vicars in the CMB goal must have thought his mere presence was enough to put the home side off!

Richmond were punished for their missed chances, when a long ball through the central defenders was picked up by forward Mike Carr who took advantage of the hesitant Richmond keeper Shacklady to give the away side a 2 -1 advantage.

It was a sickener for the home support, as the game was turning into such a tight match in the last quarter, with the age old cliché of next goal wins.

It was Jack Golding who got the all important equaliser a minute before time; the small and frail looking striker may not have the stature of an Ibrahimovic (one of his heroes), but he found the back of net with style after dancing round several tackles inside the penalty area and to be fair making everyone else dance, along with shouting "shoot"!

This left several CMB players’ fuming as they thought they had all three points.

It was Richmond’s second half on points, but just a pity the home side couldn't have started playing from the first minute.

Good match to watch, both teams at different stages could have won the game, AND a special mention to one of the first female referees to grace Richmond Park, Miss E. Carney who had a very competent game.

Well played both sides.

Man of the match: Saul Guffogg, the young Richmond fullback.