The Examination: Richmond Survive Relegation For Now

Richmond has managed to just survive relegation for now after a 1-1 draw against mid-table Avondale at Kevin Bartlett Reserve Sunday Afternoon.

It wasn’t the result Richmond were hoping for, as it needed other results to go its way if it was going to continue playing top flight football in 2017.

It was a slow pace game in the early part of the first half, with both sides struggling to push forward. It was a tense midfield battle, with neither side able to break free.

Avondale striker Jonatan Germano got the first shot at goal for the away team in the 17th minute, which went over the crossbar.

After that, Richmond dominated pushing forward with Geert-Arend Roorda and Anthony Caniglia both having good opportunities to open the scoring for the home side.

A reprieve came through for Richmond as Nick Niagorian was fouled in the box by Michele Crazia, earning a penalty which was taken from the spot by Jake Barker-Daish who converted after 30 minutes of play to open the scoring for Richmond.

Excitement turned to sorrow for Richmond as Jakob Williams went down in the 35th minute injuring his what looks to be a season ending ACL injury.

Six minutes later, Richmond went two down with Declan Lambert suffering a suspected broken nose in an accidental contact with Avondale goalkeeper Christopher May.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Avondale suffered their first injury with youngster Abrahim Yango being stretchered off.

The second half started similar to the first with a slow pace battle to the midfield, before Nick Niagorian had an early shot with a header.

Avondale equalised through Oleksiy Khapko who caught the Richmond defenders napping, and sent Tony Foglia the other way, putting the ball in the bottom right corner.

Hamlet Armenian and Nick Niagorian tried hard to push for a second goal for Richmond, but couldn’t in the end as the game finished 1-1 and Richmond going through to the play-off against the the winner of the second-place playoff in NPL 2.

The Peak

Avondale pushed hard in the early part of the second half to try and stop the Richmond defenders who were putting an extra man back. Oleksiy Khapko got a through ball from Jonatan Germano who had a three on one, and managed to give Khrapko that one-on-one with the last defender, as he equalised to put pressure on Richmond to score again.

The Trough

Richmond’s pace and pressure wasn’t enough when they needed to apply it against Avondale to keep their chances of staying in the top tier alive. Richmond lacked a spark, yet needed a result to survive because they had Northcote City and Bulleen Lions to worry about who had other games, yet Richmond couldn’t put on a show for their fans.

The Game Breaker

In a tight and miserable contest, Nick Niagorian starred again as the most-improved player for Richmond in season 2016. Niagorian might not be the fastest or most skilled player on the park, but the effort he put in the forward third was close to give Richmond the chocolates in a tight one.

What We Learned

Richmond’s fate lies in the next team they have to face in four weeks time, with the winner of the second-place playoff facing Richmond in a promotion fight. Richmond, who were in North Geelong’s shoes 12 months ago, and did what the second-placed team could do to them and beat them for promotion, which could see them join Northcote and Melbourne Victory.

Avondale can smile, it wasn’t the prettiest of draws, but with 4 straight wins can hold their heads up high after a disastrous start to this season. Avondale will have their stadium ready to go for the 2017 campaign, and if they can retain most of the players on the list for next year may go in as the dark horses of the competition.