Richmond Town (H) – Match Preview

A first cup game since the penalty shoot-out defeat to Bradford Park Avenue has us hosting Richmond Town as we look to add another trophy to the ever-growing cabinet

A match that should have taken place over a month ago means, along with some outdated programmes, there is also a keen want to get this fixture out of the way

No means of disrespect to our opponents, but because of postponements last month, we now have got an insanely hectic few weeks ahead of us.

Now, onto Richmond. Currently in the Wearside league, Richmond are sat in 13th. Their most recent game was on the 13th of December, but it was a result that saw them emerge 6–0 winners against Shotton Colliery

Due to the fact that the side are currently in step 7, there aren’t a vast amount of details for me to cover

What is known about them though, is how spectatular their ground is. Voted one of the top grounds in the country back in 2020, and one of the top 10 best non-league grounds as well, there is little denying that the castle backdropped pitch is a sight to behold

Unfortunately, or fortunately, we won’t get to play there as we now will host the match instead, so it is going to be one I chalk down for another day, and I suggest you do the same too

Recent results are a varied set for our opponents, with 5-1 and 6-2 win being accompanied by a pair of 2-1 defeats, though these games stretch back to the middle of November

Having played up to 9 games less than some of the other sides in their league, but also 2 games more than one other side, it seems like the Wearside league table is going to drastically change by the end of the campaign

All Richmond will be focussing on right now though, is their cup match against us.

Now, as for us, the 4-0 win against Bridlington has dimmed the concerns that may have been forming at the end of last month, with Bradley Fewster’s hat trick being a welcome tally, alongside Louis Johnson’s early strike

An interesting fact I did find out, is that whenever a Steelmen player bags a hat trick, Louis Johnson will also grab a goal in the same match. Oscar Fletcher (vs Grimsby Borough), Adam Boyes (vs Silsden), and Fewster (vs Ossett & Bridlington) have all bagged hat tricks, and Louis Johnson has always scored in those matches too, even doing so whilst coming off the bench in our match against Grimsby.

If we are to beat Richmond on Wednesday, our next cup match would have us play Grangetown Boys Club, who currently sit just outside the Northern League Division Two relegation spots

The freshly promoted Boysie reached this round by beating Whitby Town’s U18 side 3-0, and whilst they have had to wait a bit longer than most other sides for their next cup match, they will still be aiming to emerge triumphant

But with Richmond up first, there is no point looking to the future

Other than Scarborough, we are the highest ranked side left in this competition, so there will be a real hope we can make it to the final…unless we do face Scarborough sooner on

If that does happen though, then we will take it as it comes, and I will have a lot more to write about by then

That’s pretty much it for this preview, though, so hopefully we will see you tomorrow

If the game is on to be fair, with a pitch inspection at 11am lined up tomorrow morning

If you’re unable to make it to the Hollou, then there will be live updates on our X account. But either way, have a good rest of your day, take care, and up the Steelmen!