Richmond gained a modicum of revenge for their loss to Windscale in the Alan Hood Cup Final, taking all three points in the last meeting of the two clubs this season.
The contest came to a bizarre close with two goals in the final eight minutes, both from the penalty spot, the first drawing Windscale level and the second giving the visitors a 2-1 win.
Richmond exerted the early pressure earning two back-to-back corner kicks, both dealt with capably by Lee Jolly. Windscale looked good going forward with their final balls into the box being picked off with some last ditch interceptions.
Richmond keeper Harry Dowding, looking solid behind a resolute defence, came to the visitors’ rescue, following a mazy run by Lewis Jolly. After leaving three defenders in his wake Jolly’s shot was pushed away by a strong hand from Dowding then turning the ball out for a corner from Laurie Black’s follow-up strike.
Richmond took the lead in the 29th minute. Following some good build up play, Adam Walker hit a tremendous effort, striking and almost uprooting the post before nestling into the back of the Atoms goal.
Richmond’s deep defence tactics kept them in the lead at the interval despite some notable efforts to level the scores from Ross Leeson, Andrew Begbie and Black again. Will Rooke replaced the injured Black with five minutes of the half remaining.
The first half scenario continued in the second period, Richmond relying on breakaway attacks from a solid defensive formation.
From a corner kick the Atoms Matt Metcalf had a header tipped over the bar by Dowding and minutes later Metcalf again came close with a shot that cannoned off the post.
Ten came the dramatic finish. Rooke’s first effort was saved by Dowding buty the kick was ordered to be retaken for encroachment. This time Rooke made no mistake.
The Atoms now looked capable of taking the victory as they mounted a series of attacks, but the second penalty award, with a minute of normal time left to play, eventually decided the issue.
Walker was fouled in the penalty area with the match official waving play on as he still retained possession of the ball, Walker subsequently blazed his effort over the bar but the referee brought play back to award a penalty kick. Richmond’s Luke McCormack deposited his kick past Jolly just inside the post.
It was a cruel outcome for the Atoms who need to lick their wounds as they continue with their heavy end of season commitments which will see them complete a fixture schedule of 10 games in 31 days.
They entertain Gateshead Leam Rangers on Monday evening with a 7:45 kick-off. Their final four fixtures are: away to Norton and Stockton Ancients on Wednesday evening 1st May, Bishop Auckland Reserves on Saturday 4th May, home to Seaton Carew Wednesday 8th May with their final fixture away to Annfield Plain on Saturday May 11.
