Richmond travelled to Wyre Villa expecting a difficult game on a heavy pitch. They got exactly that though the difficulty came mainly from some poor finishing from the away team who could have been 6 goals clear at half time.

Richmond were without the suspended Anthony Murt so started with Mike Galliers and Jordan Lorde up front. Lee Berrie and Steven Roberts coming in from the reserves.

Wyre started the better and passed the ball through their midfield much better than the away team. However defensively they were wide open and 2 minutes in McNabb found himself one on one but could not beat the keeper from the tight angle. Minutes later Lorde also found himself one on one but dragged his shot wide.

On a terrible pitch credit to villa as they got the ball down and tried to play the right way. It took Richmond 20 minutes to work out the home teams shape but once they got to grips with it the game evened out from a possession perspective. The away team had decided early on to not overplay and they kept getting behind the Villa defence with ease. Galliers had 2 good chances which were straight at the keeper before the best chance of the half fell to him from a square ball from Lorde. Unfortunately the top scorer could not connect properly and from 6 yards out could not beat the keeper.

Villa only managed to threaten once and got behind the Richmond defence but when the striker went down under challenge from Taylor the referee deemed there to be nothing in it. Villa were screaming for a red card but the player did not seem to protest much. It was a let off for the away side.

Richmond finally got the goal they deserved with 3 minutes gone. Superb play by Jones in midfield. Winning the ball and driving at the defence, playing in Lorde who this time made no mistake. Smashing the ball in to the net.

Unfortunately though Richmond could not hold on to the lead, the only corner of the half for villa led to a goal. It seemed a foul on Shacklady and a hand ball but somehow the ball found its way in and the referee ignored the players protests.

Richmond went in deflated after all the chances they had squandered.

The 2nd half was not a pretty game with tired legs and heavy touches making it scrappy. It was fairly even, villa slightly edging possession though with nothing to show until 20 minutes in when their substitute midfielder missed the best chance of the game. The ball squared to him and with an open goal and only 4 yards out the pitch proved the killer and the ball just bobbled before he struck it over the bar.

It was a massive wake up call for yellows and it was needed. 2 minutes later the best move of the game led to Galliers hitting the side netting. Richmond were by no means creating as many chances as the 1st half though got the goal their 1st half display deserved with 15 left. Lee Berrie had been bought on to be a presence up front and he was. Winning the ball and playing a lovely through ball to Galliers who made no mistake and slotted home.

Wyre pressed for an equaliser and dominated the last 10 minutes but did not create a clear cut chance. The only one of note was when Richmond failed to clear the ball and the number 9 pinched it off Edwards but put it well wide. In the final minute their centre half was sent off for a 2 footed lunge when Jones was in on goal. He clearly got the ball though was technically the last man.

For the 1st game back after Christmas the result was all that mattered. Richmond can be happy with the points but must take their chances to punish teams as everyone else in this league seems to be able to do. Our goals for tally says it all.

Richmond

1 Shacklady

2 Blackwell 4 Taylor (16 Roberts) 5 Edwards 3 Cooney (12 Andrews)

7 Kenyon (14 Berrie) 8 McNabb © 6 Jones 11 Morton

9 Lorde 10 Galliers

Scorers – Jordan Lorde 30 mins, Mike Galliers 78 Mins.

Man of the Match – Chris Jones

Burscough Richmond FC

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