Darlington Reserves 1 Richmond Town 5

RICHMOND Town made it seven wins in a row when another hard-working display gave them victory at Darlington Reserves last Saturday.

The success moved them up to second place in the Wearside League table, just three points behind leaders Jarrow.

The visitors went in front after 11 minutes through Ben Darville, who was alert to Stephen Butterworth's ball over the top of the Quakers back line. Two minutes later, Scott Ryan doubled the lead when he beat home keeper Gareth Young to Nathan O'Connor's pass.

The bright start continued, with Darville close to adding a third when he glanced a header wide from a Col Anderson cross.

Darlington then began to get into the game and Richmond keeper Karl Latcham was called into action for the first time when he saved low to his right to keep out a Cameron Wilson free kick. Jordan Maughan then dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box and Lewis Reece shot straight at Latcham, who then punched clear when under pressure from Kurt Matthens.

Butterworth then had a shot which was comfortably dealt with by Young.

With 39 minutes played, Richmond scored a third. Ryan's shot was kept out by Young, but the loose ball fell to Darville, who impressively curled the ball into the far corner with the outside of his boot.

Darlington started the second half the better of the two teams and created several chances. Reece went close with a free kick and Darren Atkinson shot wide before substitute Louis Jarvine sent a dangerous low cross into the box, but Maughan failed to make contact.

Darlington's pressure paid off in the 67th minute when Reece tapped home at the far post after Latcham saved from Atkinson, but could do nothing as the ball fell at the feet of the striker.

Straight from the restart, O'Connor picked out Ryan, who was denied by a vital touch from a Darlington defender.

Any hope of a comeback was killed off in the 76th minute. Butterworth's determination and strength won possession as the ball looked to be heading out of play and, despite being under pressure from two Darlington defenders, he produced a fantastic pass into the box which was superbly dummied by Ryan, leaving Kalumn Holbrook unmarked at the back post to put the ball into the empty net.

Latcham was called into action once more when he tipped over the bar from Reece and, with the game's final action, Holbrook crossed from the right for Ryan to add a fifth with a spectacular diving header, his 35th goal of the season.

Richmond Town take a break from league action tomorrow when they take on Boro Rangers, of the Teesside League, in a North Riding Challenge Cup second round tie at Earls Orchard. Kick-off is at 1.30pm.