Hume City's Phil Riccobene clears from a corner kick into a crowded goalmouth as Richmond strive for an equalizer. Image courtesy: John Punshon
By Osman Kose
It was first versus third on Sunday as Richmond travelled to Broadmeadows Valley Park to take on Hume City.
The conditions were a lot better than expected, following the previous day’s blustery conditions. Both sides approached this game with the belief that a victory would certainly seal a top five position heading into the final few rounds of competition.
The close encounter saw a congested midfield battle it out most of the day. The only breach came mid-way through the first half as Richard Cardozo, who scored his seventh goal of the season, helped Hume City take the three points.
There were no clear-cut chances in the opening 25 minutes. As both teams settled in, the defences were equal in discipline and structure. The first chance of the game fell to Cardozo who followed up a scrum just outside the box to finish convincingly with his first time shot heading in to the top right corner. The scores were 1-0 to the home team after 26 minutes.
The first half continued in similar fashion prior to the goal. Both teams failed to create any clear chances, and with the half coming to an end, Richmond midfielder Michael Ferrante followed up a clearance from a corner on the edge of the box to see his half-volley blocked by a solid Serdar Pir.
The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, as the discipline of both sides did not allow for any attacks on goal. The first lapse of concentration came from Hume City’s left back, Phillip Riccobene, as he could not keep hold of Steven Topalovic, who had worked his way through to a one-on-one, but was unable to capitalise, sending his shot wide over the far post.
Minutes later, Richmond’s Dimitri Tsiaris was through for another one-on-one. Yet again, the attackers of the away team were not able to find the back of the net as Marijo Roza saved well. Isiyan Erdogan immediately constructed a counter attack for Hume City. Petrevski played through Vlahos who could not beat Stjepan Gal. The clearance saw goal scorer Cardozo yellow carded.
75 minutes were played in the second half as Dusko Delic attempted to play through Vlahos once again, but he was unable to get a touch on the ball before Richmond keeper Gal came out to get hold of the ball.
Richmond were beginning to get on top of Hume City by keeping possession and showing patience and creativity when in possession.
Michael Catalano looked through before he came down inside the box. The referee yellow carded the Richmond midfielder for simulation.
Changes for both sides saw Richmond’s Mitch Bissinger and injured Erhan Karahan come off for Lujic and Piorkowski. Hume City substituted Baser and Delic, and replaced them with Thompson and Opazo after 37 minutes.
Richmond’s pressure continued but they were unable to find any gaps between the Hume City defence. A fast counter attack by Hume City saw Petrevski played through, but he was unable to capitalise for the home side, sending his shot past the far post.
Richmond attempted to score the equaliser by bringing on Davey van ‘t Schip for Catalano, as Hume City also showed signs of attack by bringing on Sumbul for goal scorer, Cardozo.
Hume City stuck out the game on the back foot. A last minute opportunity fell for Ferrante at the edge of the box. His hard shot was yet again blocked by veteran Serdar Pir, who was proving to be a hero for the home team. Once cleared, the referee called it a day by blowing the final whistle. Hume City were victorious, 1 -0.
The victory for Hume has made it a very tight top three, with only two points separating three teams.
The Under 21’s saw Richmond winning credibly, 3-1.
Hume Citywill travel to Jack Edwards Reserve on Friday night to fight off another top of the table clash against the Oakleigh Cannons.
Meanwhile, Richmond will be looking to make amends against a struggling Sunshine George Cross next Monday night at Knights Stadium.
Hume City: 13. Marijo ROZA, 5. Steven PACE, 6. Serdar PIR, 7. Isiyan ERDOGAN, 10. Richard CARDOZO (87’ 9. Turhan SUMBUL), 11. Andy VLAHOS, 15. Zoran PETREVSKI, 16. Tansel BASER (76’ 12. Ross THOMPSON), 19. Dusko DELIC (82’ 8. Alfonso OPAZO), 20. Michael BOSEVSKI, 22. Phillip RICCOBENE.
Subs not used: 3. Fabio DILIZIA, 1. Christopher AILAKIS.
Yellow Cards: 64’ Cardozo.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: 26’ Cardozo.
Richmond: 1. Stjepan GAL, 3. Erhan KARAHAN (82’ 5. Stefan PIORKOWSKI), 6. Dimitri TSIARAS, 10. Daniel VISEVIC, 11. Michael FERRANTE, 13. Antun KOVACIC, 14. Michael CATALANO (86’ 19. Davey VAN ‘TSCHIP), 15. Mitch BISSINGER (73’ 9. Milos LUJIC), 16. Tomislav MILARDOVIC, 17. Jesse KRNCEVIC, 18. Steven TOPALOVIC.
Subs not used: 2. Andrew VIOLA, 22. Robert SIMEONI.
Yellow Cards: 28’ Kovacic, 83’ Catalano.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: Nil.
Last updated: Monday July 12, 2010 1:35PM
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