AFTER the previous week's North Riding Challenge Cup exit, it was back to league action and a 4-0 victory for Richmond Town last Saturday, although Sunderland West End proved very tough opposition and many suggested the scoreline was harsh on the visitors.

Richmond got off to a dream start when Colin Anderson's measured pass was beautifully dummied by Stephen Butterworth for Scott Ryan to fire home with only 31 seconds played.

Despite the disastrous start, West End went looking for an equaliser. Mark Catcheside brought save from Town keeper Karl Latcham and Layton Chapman almost capitalised after Josh Knox lost possession, but shot just high.

At the other end, Ryan was denied by keeper Lee Burrell before Anderson made it 2-0 after only 17 minutes. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, he made space for himself before shooting into the top corner with the aid of a deflection.

West End went close through Alan Gollightly and Mathew Halliday before Town front man Ben Darville failed to hit the target from inside the area.

Catcheside was proving to be a handful and another chance fell his way, but Mark Hemmingway, on as a substitute for the injured Jason Newall, deflected his shot out for a corner from which Niall Thubron's header was kept out by Latcham. Darville was as busy as ever and he created chances for Kalumn Holbrook, who fired wide, and Ryan, whose shot was blocked. The loose ball was crossed back into the danger area by Butterworth, but Ryan headed straight at Burrell.

Richmond started the second half the brighter of the two teams, with Anderson going close in a goalmouth scramble before turning provider for Butterworth, who fired straight into the arms of Burrell, and then Ryan, who saw another chance go begging when firing over the crossbar.

Shaun Radford, back in the heart of Richmond's defence after a number of weeks out through work commitments, produced a perfectly-timed tackle to keep out Halliday, then a free kick by Holbrook came back off the post before being cleared for a corner.

Latcham was alert to cut out a Catcheside cross with West End's strikers ready to pounce, then Darville had a glorious opportunity to kill the game off, but blazed his shot wide. Reece Thompson then added to his frustration when he made a well-timed tackle inside the box.

Ryan proved too quick for Callum Hodge when receiving the ball on the halfway line, his run ending with a shot across goal and wide of the far post.

With West End starting to tire, a good advantage was played by the referee after a foul on Chris Pattison. He kept his balance and found Darville, who this time made no mistake to give Town a 3-0 lead after 76 minutes.

Ryan hit the side-netting before a smart move involving Sam Pickersgill, Holbrook and Darville, who sliced his shot wide. Halliday then glanced a header wide before Town wrapped up the scoring with nine minutes remaining when substitute Pickersgill burst into the box after another Pattison pass and his shot gave Burrell no chance.

The closing minutes saw yet more chances for Richmond. Anderson, Darville and Ryan twice failed to add to the total before a proud moment for 16-year-old Mark Walker, who came off the bench to replace Latcham in goal.

Richmond remain in second place, six points behind Jarrow, who won 4-2 at Silksworth. But Town have played one game fewer than the league leaders, with the two teams meeting at Earls Orchard tomorrow. Kick-off is at 2pm.