Richmond go down in fiery derby clash

Sep 20 2012 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

IT WAS cup weekend for Richmond in a Lancashire Amateur Shield game against Southport Trinity on the J.M.O. all-weather pitch in Skelmersdale.

This was a fixture of old foes – the two sides knew each other from the past when they were members of the Preston and District League.

The games in the past had always been feisty affairs and this match proved to be no different.

Richmond had a distinct disadvantage when they kicked off the match having not played on an all weather surface for a 90-minute game.

After an early amount of midfield play and adjusting to the pitch winger Jimmy Hanson gave the visitors the lead when he took advantage of some sloppy defending by the home side tucking the ball under the Trinity keeper to make it 1-0 on 20 minutes.

The visitors were having difficulty at times with their kicking on this new surface and on 35 minutes the home side equalised via a route one ball from the keeper which was badly defended by the Richmond central defenders.

The ball fell loose to the Trinity striker Killen who levelled the scores.

Just before half-time there was an unsavoury incident involving the Trinity keeper Kirkpatrick with the Richmond striker Murt shown a red card by referee Johnson.

Murt insisted he had reacted to provocation – claiming that Kirkpatrick had spat in his face – but the referee had only seen the one incident so the big striker had to walk.

After the break with 10 men for 45 minutes it may have not looked good for the visitors but they gave as good as they got.

It was Trinity who made it 2-1.when a mistake by Richmond keeper Moore who had run to the edge of his box to punch the ball to safety only half connected and found Trinity striker Vernon who had an easy finish lifting the ball over the Richmond defenders and into the back of the net.

Trinity were making it difficult for the 10 men but on 75 minutes Hanson levelled the scores, beating several Trinity defenders he fired a diagonal ball across the penalty area beating the hapless Trinity keeper to make it 2-2.

Richmond were tiring and the home side found space on the left flank the winger lifted the ball to striker Killen who scored his second goal, heading past Moore giving the keeper little chance.

Few chances were created later in the game and Trinity held on.

Burscough Richmond are looking for players who have experience in the West Lancs League or higher while players leaving junior football welcome to training sessions. Please ring manager Chris Clandon on 07976896195.