By James Manton

A domineering performance from Bulleen Lions was not enough to earn a win against Richmond on Friday night, with the sides playing out a 1-1 draw.

The Lions were the superior side for the majority of the night, but their lack of clear-cut chances in front of goal cost them come the final whistle.

But it was Richmond to strike first in the sixth minute, with striker Tom Cahill channelling his Socceroo namesake in the sixth minute with a looping header, just evading the reach of Bulleen goalkeeper Luke Gallo.

Bulleen replied almost immediately as Bardhi Aysoli came close to equalising a minute later, but his shot from outside the box was deflected wide.

Just seconds after Will Abbott's header inside Bulleen's box prevented a guaranteed goal for Richmond, Takanori Nishimoto was put through for a one-on-one at the other end, but his shot was spectacularly saved by Chris Davis.

Davis again proved formidable as a Matteo Ballan free-kick was acrobatically kept out by the Richmond keeper, despite looking destined for the top corner.

The second half started much where the first left off as Bulleen kept pushing for an equaliser, with Anton Nardella's free shot from the top of the area was skied well over in the early minutes.

The Lions were kept to shots from distance, with Nardella again trying his luck from a poor clearance, but his effort was wide of the goals.

Bulleen's dominance was finally rewarded when another Aysoli long-range effort s past Davis into the net, giving the visitors a well-deserved equaliser.

The Lions could have snatched the lead a few minutes later if it weren't for a impressive double-save from Davis.

Aysoli came close to recreating his earlier goal with a shot from outside the box, but the ball flew wide of the goals.

Cahill came close to stealing the win deep in injury time for Richmond as he made a lovely turn inside the box, but his shot ricocheted off the corner of the post and out of play, with ref calling time shortly after, and the game finishing 1-1.

 

Match details

Richmond Soccer Club 1 (Cahill 6') tied with Bulleen Lions Football Club 1 (Aysoli 70') at Kevin Bartlett Reserve

Richmond: 20. Chris DAVIS, 2. Andrew GOFF, 4. George TSIAKALAKIS, 5. Andrew SKOULLOS (10. Tim PURCELL 50'), 11. Liam FLYNN, 6. Peter SAWAN, 17. Samuel CATHERINE, 19. Mickael CATALANO (15. Jay KELLY 66'), 8. Joshua KNIGHTS, 12. Matthew WATERS (22. Trent HANSEN 86'), 9. Tom CAHILL

Unused sub(s): 16. Ryan LAMBERT, 21. Daniel PIOVESAN

Yellow card(s): Nil

Red card(s): Nil

Bulleen Lions: 21. Luke GALLO, 3. Will ABBOTT, 4. Samuel BORGHESI, 6. Bardhi AYSOLI, 8. Matteo BALLAN, 10. Takanari NISHIMOTO, 11. Gianni DE NITTIS (31. Dylan BRESOLIN 81'), 12. Eli LUTTMER, 15. Billy ROMAS, 17. Anton NARDELLA (13. Dean LORENZI 70'), 18. Felix ROSMAN (22. Andrew MULLETT 37')

Unused sub(s): 1. Matt BANOVIC, 5. Lewis WADDELL

Yellow card(s): Nil

Red card(s): Nil