Cahill brace leaves Richmond one short

Oakleigh Cannons were victorious with a 3-2 win over a gallant Richmond side that would feel unlucky not to at least have taken a point at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on Friday night.

By Peter Anastassi of Football Federation Victoria.

Despite the visitors taking the early lead, Richmond’s new signing Tom Cahill, scored two well taken goals in the first half but it was not enough to prevent Oakleigh from taking the three points with the winner coming off the head of its Danish midfielder Rasmus Festersen in the 68th minute.

Oakleigh got off to a brilliant start by taking the lead after Lambros Honos struck a well taken volley inside the six yard box in only the 5th minute after a neat cross from Ricky Diaco.

However, despite taking the lead, the home side would soon equalise. Richmond striker Tom Cahill, who has been a revelation since being recruited during the transfer window, scored the goal of the night. A free kick on the edge of the penalty box was curled superbly by Cahill to the top left hand corner of the goal.

Moments later Richmond would take the lead after a clever assist from Timmy Purcell found striker Tom Cahill one on one with the keeper. Cahill didn’t panic and calmly struck the ball past Oakleigh keeper Lewis Italiano and into the net in the 23rd minute.

The lead for the home side would be short lived with Oakleigh’s Rasmus Festersen outpacing the Richmond defence and delivering a dangerous cross into the box that was tapped in the goal by Goran Zoric in the 33rd minute.

The second half commenced positively for Oakleigh who could have claimed the lead in the 50th minute after a great strike from Lambros Honos that went marginally wide of the right post.

However, Oakleigh would soon capitalise on its dominant possession by taking the lead after a corner from Ricky Diaco met the head of Rasmus Festersen who directed past Richmond keeper Stjepan Gal.

Festersen, arguably the stand out for Oakleigh, nearly had a second goal after he raced past a tiring Richmond defence but his shot was well blocked at the right post by keeper Stjepan Gal.

Speaking after the game, Oakleigh Coach Bill Theodoropoulos could not hide his pleasure at taking the three points.
“We are delighted with the win; we still showed our quality. I think we were just the better team tonight, but in the first half Richmond gave it to us and got a couple goals and they will feel disappointed to lose at home as they have got some great results in the last five weeks.” he said.

Theodoropoulos had high praise for his new Danish midfielder, Rasmus Festersen, who scored the winner and also helped assist with Oakleigh’s crucial equaliser.

“It’s his first start in Australia and he was brilliant. The biggest issue with these boys coming over is to get together and play with the rest of the boys and his first start was brilliant tonight.” he said.

Meanwhile, Richmond Coach Michael Chatzitrifonos conceded his side was outclassed in the second half by a superior side on the night.

“Obviously we came into the game with full confidence and had a good run of late and we certainly approached the game with a positive mindset. In the first half we were 2-1 up and had the better of the play but I thought Oakleigh were by far the better side in the second half and they were deserved winners.” he said.

In the next round, Oakleigh host Southern Stars on Friday night and Richmond travel to Green Gully on Saturday.

Image Credit: Anita Milas.

Richmond: Stjepan GAL, Erhan KARAHAN, Andrew VIOLA, Liam CANNELL, Timmy PURCELL, (87` Josh KWEIFIO-OKAI), Tom CAHILL, Kyle JORYEFF (`56 Mate ETEROVIC), Daniel VISEVIC, Sam SHEPHERD, Hamlet ARMENIAN (76` Nick KROUSORIATIS), Scott MUIRHEAD

Unused subs: Johnny STAHL, Michael FARNHAM,

Goals: Cahill (13`, 23`)

Yellow Cards: Cannell (40`)

Oakleigh Cannons: Lewis ITALIANO, James CUMMINGS, Jeremy WALKER, Casper ANDERSEN, Luke WALKER, Ricky DIACO (` 90+3 Billy LIOLIOS), Lambros HONOS (71` Evan CHRISTODOULOU), Rasmus FESTERSEN, Goran ZORIC (84` Zac WALKER), Aristidis DRAKOS, Hayden DOYLE
Unused Subs: Patrick SATORIE, Samuel MITCHINSON

Goals: Honos (5`), Zoric (33`), Festersen (68`)

Yellow Cards: Nil