By David Manuca

 

Richmond SC are 2015 NPL East champions following Box Hill United’s thrilling 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory at Wembley Park on Saturday.

 

Victory had a one-point lead over second-placed Richmond going into the final game of the season, needing a win over Box Hill to seal the title.

 

However, it was not their day with Box Hill coming out 1-0 victors, with Richmond defeating Springvale White Eagles 5-0 to leapfrog Victory and claim the championship.

 

Victory hit the crossbar, hit the post and spurned many other opportunities with Lucas John’s penalty on 70 minutes the difference between the two sides.

 

Box Hill were the better of the two sides in the opening stages of the game, with Travis Chalk-Hatton and then Johns missing chances in the first five minutes.

 

Johns should have put Box Hill ahead on 21 minutes after a mistake from Victory defender Thomas Deng but the forward hit the side netting.

 

Box Hill had another amazing opportunity just three minutes later but Christian Cavallo’s acrobatic effort on the line kept out Joey Calderone’s looping shot.

 

Victory’s first proper chance of goal fell to Joey Katebian but the forward’s free-kick was saved from Box Hill goalkeeper Alex Connell.

 

The side’s headed into the break locked at 0-0 and with Richmond up against Springvale Victory knew they needed to score.

 

The second-half provided plenty of entertainment, with it all kicking off after Deng’s clear handball gave Box Hill a chance to score from the spot just minutes after John Maclean hit the crossbar with a header from inside the six-yard box.

 

Johns made no mistake from the spot, sending Victory goalkeeper Lucas Spinella the wrong way to make it 1-0 to Box Hill.

 

The task became even greater for Victory, needing two goals to take the three points and seal the title. And they certainly had their chances.

 

Stefan Nigro’s blistering strike came off the post before Box Hill almost doubled their lead when Johns’ free-kick came off the crossbar.

 

With minutes remaining substitute Lucas Derrick should have scored for Victory but his initial shot was saved before he put the rebound onto the post.

 

From that point on you knew it was just not Victory’s day, with the game ending in a 1-0 win to Box Hill and the championship trophy being lifted by Richmond.

MATCH DETAILS

Box Hill United XI: 1. Alex CONNELL, 25. Michael GODFREY (15. Jack GOW 88’), 18. Joey CALDERONE, 15. Chris PAGE, 8. Caleb LUDLOW, 21. Travis CHALK-HATTON, 11. Sebastian BARRERO, 5. Alex SCHROEN, 14. Lucas JOHNS, 17. Aaron PORCARO (20. Ollie PATERNO 68’), 19. Michael KARIUKI (10. Lorenzo TARZIA 90’).

Un-used substitutes: 35. Taylor DAVIDSON, 2. Nikola SURDOSKI.

Yellow cards:Calderone 32’

Red cards: Nil

Melbourne Victory XI: 1. Lucas SPINELLA, 18. Christian CAVALLO, 14. Callum GOULDING (16. Pierce WARING 71’), 4. Thomas DENG, 19. Nick GLAVAN, 8. Anthony DUZEL, 6. Stefan NIGRO, 10. Kieran DOVER (7. Jesse DALEY 81’), 11. John MACLEAN (13. Lucas DERRICK 66’), 9. Joey KATEBIAN, 17. George HOWARD.

Un-used substitutes: 20. Andre JANNESE, 2. Reece CALDECOURT.

Yellow cards: Nil

Red cards: Nil