By JAMES MANTON

A 15-minute burst from Tom Cahill has led Richmond to a 3-1 victory over Eastern Lions tonight at Kevin Bartlett Reserve.

A marginal figure in the first half, Cahill was imperious in the second as he pulled his side over the line with two goals and an assist.

Chances were rare in the first half as neither side was able to carve out clear-cut opportunities, with Munyaradzi Nyadzayo's long-range shot after 15 minutes well-saved by Christian Ross.

Despite Richmond's early control of possession, the Lions were the only side able to get a sight on goal, with Jordan Horn and Yianni Toumanidis skying good chances in consecutive minutes.

The home side's closest chance in the first half was also its most speculative, as Matthew Waters' piledriver from 25 metres came far closer to the goals than it ever should have.

The breakthrough came with just 10 minutes until the break, as Nyadzayo's corner slipped through the outstretched fingers of Ross, allowing Thomas Falconer to score a tap-in at the back post.

Richmond came out from the break with a renewed vigour, and the effort paid dividends early on as a penalty was given for a handball in the Lions' box.

Cahill confidently stepped up and blasted the ball into the net, scoring a much-needed goal.

Cahill was again at the heart of a goal shortly afterwards as he got on the end of a long ball from defence, surging to the byline and crossing to gift Michael Catalano a tap-in into an empty net.

The Richmond captain wasn't finished there, as five minutes later he chested down a ball to the onrushing Catalano who had a free shot at the top of the area, but pulled it well over the bar.

Cahill's masterclass came to a close with his second goal as some wonderful build-up play - based around the surging run from Samuel Catherine - ended with Catalano teeing up Cahill on the penalty spot, who coolly passed the ball into the side netting to ensure his team's win.

 

Match details:

Richmond Soccer Club 3 (Cahill 56', 67', Catalano 58') defeated Eastern Lions 1 (Falconer 33')

Richmond: 1. Christian ROSS, 2. Andrew GOFF, 3. Matthew COLLIER, 23. Joshua VALADON, 12. Matthew WATERS, 6. Peter SAWAN, 17. Samuel CATHERINE, 19. Michael CATALANO (22. George VOLIOTIS 90'), 8. Joshua KNIGHT, 7. Hamlet ARMENIAN (15. Jay KELLY 86'), 9. Tom CAHILL

Unused substitutes: 20. Chris DAVIES, 5. Brendan RICHARDSON, 18. Jordan SEETO

Yellow card(s): Nil

Red card(s): Nil

 

Eastern Lions: 1. Andrew LIGHTFOOT, 2. William ELLIS, 3. Matthew PARRY, 5. Thomas FALCONER, 6. Andrew WILLIAMS, 9. Louis RUZUKI (10. Jack DUFFIELD 70'), 11. Munyaradzi NYAOZAYO, 12. David MCKESSY (13. Jarram CLEAR 85'), 14. Jordan HORN (8. Mitch BEAMISH 89'), 15. Yianni TOUMANIDIS, 16. Shaun Kerry

Unused substitutes: 27. Robert HAVERCROFT, 7. Ryan WIDELSKI

Yellow card(s): Falconer 55'

Red card(s): Nil