Southgate are just one game away from securing their premier division status after yet another nail biting game that saw the game decided in only the final minute.
Richmond had to win the game to keep their survival hopes alive and despite a 2nd minute goal from Southgate’s Archie Foster immediately replied just two minutes later when Jack Clee converted superbly from a set top D beating Calum Douglas in the gate goal. Southgate dominated for the most part but endured some sustained Richmond counter offensive action that ensured the home supporters would not have an easy afternoon played under bright April sunshine in Trent Park. The game went into half time at 1-1 and with much work to be done to ensure a needed 3 points for either team. That pressure on the home side was amplified with news of Bowdon’s victory against Cardiff & Met,
As the shadows lengthened it was Archie Foster who converted his brace from a PC in the 39th minute but once again Richmond found a reply as 7 minutes later Matthew Ming scored from another PC to level the scores at 2-2. With cards appearing at regular intervals there were many talking points in an end to end game with Hugh Page putting away a fine finish in the 60th minute and then Foster netted a brilliant hat-trick to seemingly put the game to bed with a goal from open play with 5 minutes to play. Yet Richmond once again proved not to go down without real fight when 2 minutes later Haimish Imrie scored to give Southgate supporters a deeply anxious last 3 minutes which saw them repel wave after wave of Richmond attacks.
The 4-2 win helped ensure Southgate maintain their 6 point advantage over chasing Bowdon- it means the penultimate game on Saturday could put the relegation play-offs to bed with Bowdon needing a 5 goal + winning margin to help nullify the -19 goal difference to keep the league alive for the final games.
Next game:
Southgate vs Bowdon
16:00 Saturday 12th April