NORTH RIDING SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL
MIDDLESBROUGH 3 RICHMOND TOWN 1
By Ricky Butler at Central Avenue Stadium
Highlights of this match are available here
RICHMOND TOWN last night suffered a third cup semi-final defeat in less than two weeks as a late brace from Jordan Jones gave a young Middlesbrough side victory at Billingham.
Richmond had been the better side in the first half and took a 41st minute lead when Chris Walker fired home at the far post after an inviting right-wing cross from Kalumn Holbrook. But Lewis Sirrell equalised three minutes later before Jones' late intervention gave Boro victory.
Richmond manager Chris Lax said: "I am delighted with the performance. I thought in the first half we were the best team. I am really pleased for the lads. They have put in a shift and a half. [Boro] came out the blocks a bit quicker in the second half and passed it about sharper, and we tired in the last 20 minutes."
After beating York City 3-0 to reach the last four, Richmond arrived at Billingham Synthonia's historic ground full of confidence that they could claim a second Football League scalp. Indeed it was hard to tell which side were the full time professionals and which from the Wearside League in a keenly contested first half.
It may have been a different story had Boro skipper Johnny Burn had not headed an early chance over the top, but Richmond took confidence from that escape and were the better side for long spells.
Holbrook sent a dipping shot from distance just over the top while Adam Palmer's header was saved by goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler. But it was underdogs that scored first, four minutes before the break.
Boro defender Nathan McGinley was caught in possession by Holbrook on the right and Walker arrived at the far post to send a volley flying into the roof of the net. Suddenly another shock looked on the cards.
But the Dalesmen switched off momentarily just before the break and were made to pay. Bradley Halliday was given too much time to pick his pass and he sent Sirrell away to coolly slot past Town goalkeeper Adam Cunningham.
Boro came out strongly at the start of the second half but they ran into a Richmond side determined not to lose a third semi-final in 10 days. Cunningham made a great save to deny Bradley Fewster while defenders threw their bodies on the line to block efforts from Jones and Sirrell.
But Richmond could have regained the lead just past the hour. A free kick from Holbrook was not sufficiently cleared and Ben Darville saw his shot roll agonisingly just the wrong side of the far post.
That proved to be decisive as Boro went in front 12 minutes later. Cunningham did well to deny Fewster initially but when the ball was retuned into the penalty area, Jones made mistake from 12 yards.
Richmond now looked tired but they dug deep and almost dragged themselves level two minutes from time. Michael Layfield found substitute Scott Guy down the left and his drilled centre would surely have been turned home by Darville had it not been for a superb last-ditch tackle from McGinley.
That led to a thrilling finale. Almost immediately Boro broke and Fewster was up-ended in the penalty area by Palmer but Cunningham guessed right to keep out Jones' spot kick.
"I watched him last week against Redcar and he went the same way," said Cunningham on the penalty save.
But that proved to be merely a temporary reprieve. Just seconds later substitute Jake Fowler released Jones and this time to he made mistake to seal Boro's progress to the final of a competition they have won 53 times.
Lax said: "I am proud of the lads. They have battled hard and they have done Richmond Town and the Wearside League very, very proud.
"The score has probably flattered [Boro] but I am pleased with the performance and the attitude of the lads in there. [Boro] are professional footballers. They will be coming in for a rub down tomorrow; our lads will be back at work on the farm."
The Dalesmen will now be hoping this performance can give them a boost ahead of tough run-in as they look for a top three finish. Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have a final against Guisborough Town of the Northern League to look forward to.
MIDDLESBROUGH - Luetwiler 7, Halliday 7, Coleby 9, Burn 7, McGinley 7, Tinkler 6, Sirrell 8, Maloney 7, Fewster 7, Griffiths 6, Jones 8. SUBS - Weledji 7, Wheatley 7, Fowler 8, Kitching, Fryer.
RICHMOND TOWN - Cunningham 8, Palmer 7, Ryan 7, Newall 7, Pinkney 9, Holbrook 8, Layfield 7, Darville (L) 8, Darville (B) 7, Walker 8, Knox 7. SUBS - Thompson 7, Guy 7, Shardha, McNichol, White.
MEN OF MATCH -
Coleby (Middlesbrough) - Superb performance from the right back both defensively and going forward. One to watch.
Pinkney (Richmond Town) - An absolute rock at the heart of the Richmond defence. On a night of heroes in blue, his performance stood out above the rest.
REFEREE - I. Turner
ATTENDANCE: 170
