Wearside League

Richmond Town 4 South Shields Res 0

RICHMOND Town narrowed the gap at the top of the table to just three points with victory over in-form South Shields Reserves last Saturday.

With league leaders Jarrow in cup action, this was Town's game in hand and manager Chris Lax knew his side couldn't afford to slip up as the race for the title hots up.

Having lost to the Mariners earlier in the season, Richmond expected a tough game and this proved to be the case, with the visitors looking the better of the two sides and seeing much more of the ball during the early exchanges.

But it was Richmond who took the lead after 25 minutes. Chris Pattison showed pace and strength to get beyond his marker and his cross was converted by Ben Darville at the far post.

The game's real turning point came as early as the 38th minute when South Shields' Harry Simpson was shown a straight red card for a dangerous-looking over-the-top tackle on Sean Radford.

Shortly after, from a Town free kick, Radford flicked on into the box for Scott Ryan, who was denied by visiting keeper Robbie Hudson with the first of several top-class saves.

Despite the early pressure, Richmond keeper Karl Latcham wasn't called into action until early in the second half when he comfortably dealt with Olly Martin's shot. Radford had the ball in the net in the 52nd minute, but the goal was ruled out for holding his marker, then Ryan was denied by Hudson when he almost capitalised on a short back pass.

A superb double save from Hudson in the 65th minute resulted in a corner from which the lead was doubled when Radford headed home from close range.

Kalumn Holbrook was next to be kept out by the impressive Hudson when going for the spectacular with an overhead kick, but the visiting keeper could do nothing when a long ball over the top picked out Ryan 25 yards out, He kept his composure to lift the ball over the keeper and into the net to make it 3-0 in the 75th minute.

Mark Hemmingway had an impressive game down Richmond's left-hand side and his pass found Holbrook, who was again thwarted by Hudson, who moments later produced another fantastic save from Holbrook, this time tipping round the post at full stretch with the ball looking destined for the top corner.

With time almost up, Richmond added a fourth goal when Ryan's shot was blocked and Darville tapped home the rebound.

Richmond advanced into the quarter-finals of the North Riding Senior Cup three days earlier, Darville and Ryan both scoring twice in an impressive 4-1 victory at Stokesley, and have been rewarded with a home tie against Scarborough Athletic.

Richmond are at home again tomorrow, this time against Gateshead Leam Rangers in what will be their final fixture of 2016. Kick-off is at 2pm.