The Thursday Wrap: Richmond get chocolates on a Good Thursday

In one of the most extraordinary games of the NPL Victoria season to date, cellar-dwellers Richmond SC put six goals past the usually water tight defence of South Melbourne, on their way to a 6-3 victory.

The first vs. last clash was broken apart by debutant Nicolas Niagioran who was completely unmarkable, with South unable to deal with his physicality and presence in front of goal – however his night was soured, sent off late for a second bookable offence.

They did take a 3-1 lead into half time however, with Nick Epifano grabbing two, Milos Lujic grabbing the other, Niangioran initially equalising with a finish from a tight angle.

He’d earlier hit the post with a header, and the second half started in similar fashion with Geert Arend Roorda heading onto the post and out.

Niangoran grabbed his second with a composed finish before his header set up Nick Kokolakis for an equaliser just beyond the half hour mark.

Jake Barker-Daish then found the back of the net twice in quick succession to push Richmond clear of South, first from the penalty spot, then off a Kokolakis through ball.

The game was rounded off in injury time by Liam Flynn who finished from a ball from the deep.

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There were as many red cards as goals in Port Melbourne’s 2-1 win over Pascoe Vale, which saw two Rams and one Shark sent off the pitch at JL Murphy Reserve.

Luca Santilli looked menacing in the opening stages and grabbed a goal for his troubles with a tidy finish past Port keeper Stjepan Gal from close range.

When Alec Goodwin was bundled over inside the area, the referee had no hesitation pointing to the spot, David Stirton deadly from the spot to restore parity.

The 65th minute saw Nathen Megic and Labros Honos simultaneously sent off as the battle for ascendency heated up.

In the end it was a wonderful solo goal from Jamie de Abreu which sealed the contest, as the winger bolted from the half way line and struck a venomous hit past the Paco keeper.

What a way to win it! Huge win against a very strong and commited PV. pic.twitter.com/Z9Qgu4mRYr

— Port Melbourne SC (@PMSCSharks) March 24, 2016

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Melbourne Knights rounded off a trio of wins for the home sides with a 1-0 win over FC Bulleen Lions at Knights Stadium.

Jason Hicks’ second goal of the season split the two sides, with his goal coming just before the half-time whistle.

Earlier Matteo Ballan had a glorious chance which forced a brilliant save from Fraser Chalmers, while opportunities flowed at both ends without a finish.

Hicks eventually broke the deadlock, waiting on his opportunity to strike before rolling his shot past Griffin McMaster having sold two defenders who had played for the initial shot.

Chalmers was forced once more to tip over his post from an Alinejad cross while Hicks spurned the chance for a double following Stipo Andrijasevic’s good lay-off pass.

McMaster made a good save to deny Chris Talajic a sealer at the end of the game, but it was in vain as the Knights ran out narrow victors.