Image: Natasha Morello (FC Bulleen Lions)
Richmond recovered from a two-goal half-time deficit to FC Bulleen Lions to gain a solitary point from their visit to the Veneto Club, and in doing so end the host’s chances in the 2016 Under 20 title race.
Bulleen came out firing early in the fixture they had to win to remain a chance to finish the season on top. They pressed high on the synthetic pitch and had the majority of possession. They were rewarded early with a break down the left flank which saw a perfectly weighted cross fly through the area to the back post. Lions striker Stefan Cardamone rose and headed it back across the keeper and into the net.
The second goal would come minutes from half time when Regsan Watkins launched an attack, again down the left side. He went himself into the area and curled the ball past the outstretched hand of Richmond keeper Matt King. Two bounces and it hit the upright, bouncing back across the goal into the opposite corner of the net. Bulleen would go into the sheds with confidence, a two goal advantage and a frustrated Richmond looking to find a way back into the game.
HT in the U20s, where we currently lead 2-0 over @RichmondSC1953 ⚽✊ ?: Natasha Morello #BLvRSC pic.twitter.com/gzhcxD3Jul
— FC Bulleen Lions (@FCBulleenLions) August 15, 2016
A stern word from Richmond coach George Hollis at the break worked wonders and the team came out with a newfound aggression. Their efforts were rewarded just three minutes into the second half with an impressive run down the right. Getting in behind the defence, Richmond hammered a cross past the retreating back four where Serge Azagane was on hand to tap it across the line.
Azagane would be the man of the moment 10 minutes later when the referee blew for a penalty and he found himself at the spot. Bulleen keeper Thomas Canfield went right, Azagane aimed the kick right and the ball slide across the surface into the bottom corner. Richmond were back on level terms and hungry for the win.
Both teams continued to push forward with desperate attempts in the final third. Bulleen had a solid claim for a penalty which was waved off, and Richmond had at least two excellent chances to seal the result. It wasn’t to be and it finished 2-2.
Richmond captain Valli Cesnik shared his thoughts on the match to TCF, saying “the first half didn’t really go our way. They had two shots, scored two goals so credit to them. In the second half we really fought back and dug deep. All the guys knew we needed to get a result today. We didn’t manage to get the win but managed to get a point out of tonight.”
“The point tonight was quite significant. It keeps us three points ahead of Bulleen and South are still on our tails as well, so we need to get six points from the next two games to secure first place” he said.
Being promoted to the top tier of Victorian football just under 12 months ago, there were no expectations for the Richmond Under 20s. This is particularly the case with coach George Hollis not really interested in results, but focused on developing players and pushing them up into the Senior squad.
Cesnik reflected on the 2016 season, saying “… at the start of the season we wanted to work on how we played and in that it got us results. As we got towards the second half of the season we found we were in serious contention for the first place. Now we still play our system, but we are playing it more to win and get results.”
Additionally, Cesnik isn’t overly surprised the team has done so well in 2016.
“Last year in NPL1 we had a core group of the team who stayed on and played this year. That has helped our teamwork and the way we play. It’s good to have done well this year, I don’t know if I thought we would have been coming first at the end of the season, but we wouldn’t have been at the bottom of the ladder either,” he said.
Cesnik has earned the respect of his coach in 2016 and was been rewarded this year, being handed the captain’s armband, with Hollis saying: “When I look at my season, and I don’t look at first, second, or whatever, he is my big success. He’s only just turned 17, he’s played 20 games and scored 20 goals or close to it, and he’s made his senior debut. He’s got great potential.”
South Melbourne has been keeping the pressure on Richmond as the season comes to a close. Richmond has stumbled towards the end of the league, dropping points in crucial fixtures against Melbourne Victory, South Melbourne and Heidelberg. Combine this with draws against Port Melbourne and now Bulleen, the team has taken home just 11 points from their last eight matches. Their position therefore at the top of the table is recognition of the amazing start to the season and their goal scoring prowess finding the net 71 times for a goal difference of +42.
South Melbourne play Northcote City on Wednesday evening and Richmond play Pascoe Vale on Thursday evening. South remain a chance to steal the title if they win all their remaining matches and Richmond don’t secure six points from their two remaining matches. Richmond could, however, secure the league on Thursday if South fail on Wednesday.