Wearside League Cup Quarter Final

Richmond Town 4 Silksworth CW 3

A LATE winner from substitute George Battersby last Saturday fired Richmond Town into the semi final of the Wearside League Cup after a thrilling tie at Earls Orchard against Silksworth CW.

After Mark Sims had given Town an early lead, the visitors from Sunderland scored either side of the break through Rob Hall and Andrew Place, before Ben Holmes and Andrew MacIntosh resorted the Dalesman's advantage. Michael Brunning looked to have sent the tie into extra with an 81st minute Silksworth equaliser but Battersby sent Town through.

Richmond had started brightly and almost took the lead after just five minutes when Mark Edzes fired over the top. However, they were thankful to new goalkeeper Marc Briggs for a smart save to deny Rob Hall after a slip by defender Josh Woof.

But the Dalesmen did grab a ninth minute lead. Mark Sims, with nine goals in his previous five matches, capitalised on a defensive error to calmly slot the ball past goalkeeper Joe Clayton.

Town had the chance to increase their advantage through Scott Ryan, but at the other end it was only a brave block from captain Scott Guy to deny Liam Hodgson that kept the hosts in front.

However, just before the break the equaliser Silksworth had been threatening duly arrived with a marvellous free-kick from Hall that gave Briggs no chance.

The visitors then went in front two minutes after the resumption when a mistake from Wooff let in Place, who finished well. But straight from the restart Town were level with a fine solo effort from Holmes.

The end-to-end nature of the tie continued as after Briggs had denied Michael McVay, defender MacIntosh fired Richmond ahead for a second time following a half-cleared corner.

Silksworth refused to lie down and they looked to have forced extra time when in the 81st minute Brunning made it 3-3 but for the second time in the match, Richmond scored straight after conceding. Ryan set off on a mazy dribble, going past three challenges, before lifting the ball over Clayton for substitute Battersby to tap home.

Town manager Chris Lax was delighted with the character shown by his team to twice come back immediately after conceding. Town will now face Easington Colliery in next month's semi-final.