By James Maloney

A 59th minute Tom Cahill goal has given Richmond a 1-0 victory over Sunshine George Cross on Saturday at Chaplin Reserve.

The win brings Richmond level on points with Melbourne Victor y at the top of PS4 NPL Victoria NPL 1 East with two rounds to play.

In a tight and tense encounter where both sides struggled to get a foothold in the game in the first half as both sides struggled to create chances.

Richmond's midfield looked lively with good work from Samuel Catherine and Ryan Lambert. But that was matched by the work of Ayodeji Omoboye who looked dangerous every time the ball came his way.

Sunshine appeared to feel the pressure of the NPL 1 East high fliers, having three players booked inside the first 30 minutes.

The best chance of the first half fell to Richmond’s inform attacker Alex Caniglia, who blazed over the bar from 10 yards out.

The second half got underway and Richmond set out looking to break the deadlock and went close on a few occasions.

A desperate last ditch tackle on Richmond’s Alex Caniglia in the 51st minute when he was through on goal denied him a clear shot on goal.

But finally it was Richmond who struck first through Cahill. After clearing the danger from a Sunshine free kick, Cahill latched onto a long ball from Alex Caniglia and slid the ball past Robert Santili in the Georgies goal.

Following the goal Richmond rung the changes replacing Lambert with Michael Catalano and Caniglia making way for Jay Kelly.

And it would be Catalano who nearly made an instant impact as he beat Santili, but his shot sailed just wide of the post. Josh Knight also had a chance in the 60th minute as forced Santili into a save.

Sunshine threatened from set pieces, and had a late free kick to try and find an equaliser but Santili’s long ball was cleared by Josh Valadon and the referee blew for full time to give Richmond a hard fought 1-0 win.

In the U20’s fixture Richmond defeated Sunshine 2-1 with goals from Dion Gavalas and Valli Cesnik.

After todays results Richmond sits second to Melbourne Victory only on goal difference, while remain 7th.

MATCH DETAILS:

Sunshine George Cross 0 defeated by Richmond SC 1 (Cahill 59’)

Sunshine George Cross: 1. SANTILI, Robert 2. CETKIN, Eddie 3. MASON, Martin5. DIB, Christopher 13. O’CONNELL, Liam 18. DESOUL, Dennis (16. MICEVSKI, James 52’) 17. ATTARD Jacob 11. CASSAR, Anthony (15. KROMAH, Amara 62’) 8. HUTCHISON, Daniel, 14. CHAWK, Muhamad (7. DRAGOVIC, RYAN 75’) 19. OMOBOYE, Ayodeji
Booked: Dib, Omoboye, Desoul

Richmond SC: 20. DAVIS, Chris 2. GOFF, Andrew 18. SEETO, Jordan 23. VALADON, Joshua 11. FLYNN, Liam 16. LAMBERT, Ryan (19. CATALANO, Michael 67’) 17. CATHERINE Samuel 8. KNIGHT, Joshua 7. ARMENIAN, Hamlet (12. WATERS, Matthew 85’) 10. CANIGLIA, Alex (15. KELLY, Jay 63’) 9. CAHILL, Tom
Scorer: Cahill 59’