By: JAMES WILLOUGHBY (@jwilloughby26)

Photo: MATT JOHNSON

Poor. Off the pace. Not at the races. All words used to describe Richmond's start to the season. Or, as coach Rick Mensink put it, 'like a train wreck I couldn't stop'.

Richmond's 6-0 season-opening defeat at Goulburn Valley Suns was a shock.

But 85 minutes into their second match of the season, at home to Nunawading City, it looked like the six-goal loss might have been the indication for a long and tough campaign.

Nunawading - included in the newly formed NPL1 East in 2015 - finished bottom of State League 2 South-East last year with just one win in 22 attempts.

They conceded 67 goals in the process and looked like easy pickings for a Richmond side who were fourth in last season's NPL1, just four points and goal difference off promotion to Victoria's top-flight.

Sure, the Eagles lost Ryan Oppermann (Port Melbourne) and Alex Tabor (Dandenong Thunder), but retaining the services of star striker Tom Cahill - responsible for 26 of Richmond's 62 league goals last term - was viewed as significant.

But with just five minutes remaining of their home clash with Nunawading, Richmond trailed 1-0. And it should have been much more. The visitors dominated Mensink's men in the first half and squandered a host of chances to extend their lead.

Richmond upped the pressure in the second half but battled to score until Joshua Knight bobbed up at the back post to net Cahill's cross with four minutes of normal time remaining. And Knight wasn't done there.

The Welshman bagged a dramatic 91st-minute winner for Richmond, turning home another cross, giving his side a win they probably didn't deserve.

Knight's double has proved a turning point for Richmond, though, with the club losing just one match since in a run of form that has seen them climb to fifth in the NPL 1 East table.

Their latest win was an impressive 2-1 success against St. Albans on Monday and afterwards, Mensink said he never lost faith.

"Losing 6-0 to Goulburn Valley…that was like a train wreck I couldn't stop," he said.

"We played in 38 degree heat and I think in those conditions, the game can tend to go one way or the other. And it certainly went the other. They were a class above us. But for me, it was just a disappointing one-off event. The boys had worked exceptionally hard in the pre-season. We were just really off on that particular day.

"We didn't need to go back to the drawing board, though. We have an inner belief in what we are doing and we have stayed true to it. We just had to throw that result out and chuck it in the bin. We couldn't dwell on it.

"Then came Nunawading and they played us off the park. We were very lucky to come away with a win. I was very scared of being arrested on the way home for the theft of three points!

"We worked until the end, though, and were fortunate enough to take the three points through Josh's goals at the end. That certainly gave us a lot more confidence and we have kicked on since."

Mensink, who repeatedly refers to his desire to see Richmond play attractive football, acknowledges that this season is still a work in progress. His side have scored just eight goals so far - with Cahill, who is battling a hamstring problem - netting twice. But the efforts of Andrew Goff, Peter Sawan and Samuel Catherine have left him delighted.

"Last season, we were the second-highest scoring team in NPL1. And we certainly have struggled at the pointy end this season," he said.

"We have Hamlet Armenian coming back but he is still unfit. Ryan Oppermann was a big loss for us and with Tommy Cahill injured, that's definitely going to have an impact on your side. 

"Across the rest of the park, Peter Sawan and Samuel Catherine have been outstanding. But Andrew Goff, our centre-half, has been our best. He has played in numerous positions already and he has really matured as a footballer over the summer. I think he has been absolutely sensational and he was probably our best against St. Albans."

 

 

While Goff stood out at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Monday, Sawan's opener - a fierce 20-yard volley - was definitely the game's highlight. The win, which saw St. Albans barely register a shot on goal until the final 15 minutes, was achieved in Cahill's absence as he still searches for fitness.

But despite his slow start, Mensink is confident that his key man can match his superb goal tally from last season. And he was adamant that the forward - sure to be the subject of attention during the mid-season transfer window - will be staying put at Richmond.

"Tom's still carrying a niggling hamstring injury. But comparatively, this time last year, he had scored just one goal. He is on track to do the same again, we hope," he added.

"I have got no doubt that clubs will be looking at him. But I have no doubt that he will stay."

Those words will be music to the ears of Richmond fans. 

Their next four matches are against Murray United, Box Hill United and Springvale White Eagles - all below them in NPL1 East - and Bendigo City, who are struggling in NPL1 West. And recent form suggests that four wins are attainable. 

Richmond's train is back on track. And it is gathering pace as each week passes.