Atherton 0 - 1 Richmond

The birthday boy, wing back Saul Guffogg who turned 18 in the past couple of day's timed what turned out to be the winning goal to perfection.
His acute angled shot leaving the Atherton keeper Ash Whittle looking in disbelief at the ball fizzing past his outstretched hand and rolling down the back of his net.

Richmond travelled to Butler Park to play round two of the Lancashire FA Shield match, as last season's holders of the competition, the first round being given a bye.
The day was bleak, the pitch debatably holding water in parts, after earlier torrential rain and with the match referee without even club assistant referee's to run the lines.

The Manchester league side kicked the game off as the rain started to fall once again.
Richmond first to create an opening as Ryan Giller fires in a shot, then Saul Guffogg went close a minute later on 10 minutes.

A Nathan Martland free kick on 15 minutes was deflected onto the bar via an Atherton defender.
Martland also went close with a header on 25 minutes.
Jack Golding on for the injured wingback Anderson had a glorious chance, heading the ball straight at the Atherton keeper Whittle, when it looked easier to score ten minutes later on 35 minutes.

Atherton to their credit had as much of the play as Richmond leading into halftime, bringing an excellent save from Mike Lowe in goal for the Burscough side, unfortunately injuring himself on the post trying to keep the ball from crossing the line.
Richmond had good opportunities to go into the break at least one up.

On resumption of play a Saul Guffogg cross finds striker Mark Bailey in space, the marauding strikers header ending straight into the hands of the grateful Atherton keeper.

Lots of midfield play with both sides looking for the opportunity to score, but defences, goalkeepers and a final misplaced ball keeping the game scoreless midway through the second half.

Ryan Giller had a glorious opportunity to score with good forward play from the visitors on 70 minutes, the ball eventually being laid to the busy midfielder via Bailey and Martland with goalkeeper Whittle out of his goal and a spectator.
Giller drove the ball towards the goal only to see a defender get back to cover and head clear.

Was this game destined for extra time and penalties, it was at this stage of the game certainly looking that way with both sides not making any headway and cancelling each other out.

Nathan Martland however was having none of it, when on 80 minutes the striker outwitted a couple of the Atherton defender's, then laid the ball to the overlapping wing back Guffogg, who rifled the ball past the despairing opposition goalkeeper from a difficult angle at the corner of the six yard box.
The sigh of relief was almost audible from the Richmond dugout for a moment, then the cheers rang out.

The hosts made the last ten minutes very anxious for the visitors culminating in a couple of important saves by the limping Richmond goalkeeper Lowe.
The Burscough keeper receiving man of the match for his excellent handling on a wet and unpredictable playing surface.

A very good cup tie which was only going to take one goal to gain the spoils.
Well played both sides, no one deserved to lose, but Richmond are in the hat for the next round.