AFTER disappointing defeats away at both Darlington RA and Hebburn Town Reserves, Richmond Town got back to winning ways with a nail bighting 2-1 win over Silksworth Colliery Welfare in the 1st round of this seasons Shipowners Charity Cup.

The crowd at Earl Orchard were treated to a terrific game which had remained goalless until the eighty eighth minute until when it looked destined to be decided by penalty kicks.

The visitors had the games first sight at goal but Harry Munday headed over the bar before Town’s Adam Walker fired wide after a spell of Richmond pressure. Joe Shields, keeping his place in the starting eleven, which had four changes to the team that lined up at Hebburn four nights earlier had a shot which Silksworth keeper Adam Henderson fumbled but went unpunished before Walker crossed for Shields who was unable to get any kind of touch before Scott Guy went close with had a header which was cleared off the line from a Kalumn Holbrook corner. The final chance of an entertaining first half fell to Silksworth striker Adam Storey who was allowed too much time and space in the box but his shot, to the relief of Richmond went wide.

Jimmy Muir had an early second half chance but headed another Holbrook corner wide. At the other end Richmond’s keeper Mark Walker made a good save diving low to his left to deny Josh Farquhar, then minutes later made a good block in keeping out Storey. Henderson diving full stretch to his left saved brilliantly to keep out Holbrook who fired through a crowded box. Silksworth then produced a powerfull shot which looked to be going in until it hit Munday who glanced a header over Walkers bar. With the crowd readying themselves for the dreaded penalty shoot out, another Holbrook corner found Shields who’s header was cleared off the line but only to Martin Butterworth, back in the team for the first time this season after being talked out of retirement by Jonathan Kellett. The midfielder hammering the ball home from seven yards to give Richmond the lead with only two minutes of the ninety remaining. Much to Kellett’s frustration Silksworth were back on level terms less than a minute later when Munday headed home a right wing cross when left unmarked at the far post. The drama wasn’t over with. Four minutes into added on time Richmond were awarded a free kick to the right of the Silksworth box, twenty five yards from goal, much to the anger of the visiting bench. Henderson was helpless and could only watch in admiration as Holbrook stepped up and fired across goal into the far top corner of the net, a goal worthy of any stage in world football, and with it came joyous scenes from those on the pitch and from all on the sidelines who rushed onto the pitch to celebrate with the match winner.

After the game Kellett was delighted to get the win after a disappointing week results wise, and was quick to praise the togetherness of the team “The lads were brilliant today, every single one of them worked their socks off, and the reaction of them all after Holbrook’s winner was great to see.”

This Saturday afternoon Richmond are on their travels as they return to Wearside League action at Horden. Kick off is at 2.30.