FC Bendigo will be desperate for a win when it takes on Richmond at Kevin Bartlett Reserve on
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Sunday afternoon.
Since defeating Sunshine George Cross 2-0 a month ago, Bendigo has suffered two defeats and a
draw, as well as having the match against Moreland Zebras postponed.
The last time these two sides met, Richmond came away with a convincing 4-1 victory in the National Premier League Victoria division one match.
Richmond parted ways with former coach Grant Brebner on the eve of the match with the Bendigo line-up.
Bendigo coach Steve Martin said on Friday the team was aiming to exact some revenge this weekend.
“It was a disappointing result last time out against Richmond, and we’re really keen to turn the tide this time around,” Martin said.
“We’ve been working really hard on a few important things, and if we can get those right, we’re a real chance on Sunday”.
After a slow start to the season, promotion candidates Richmond have been in red-hot form.
Despite suffering a loss to Kingston City on Monday night, Richmond won six of its previous eight matches to sit just two points off the second promotion position.
Tom Cahill, who has scored 15 goals this season, and unpredictable winger Hamlet Armenian shape as the two biggest threats to Bendigo’s goal.
Young full-back Finn Huzzey is set to come up against his old club, having featured in a number of games for Richmond last season in the now defunct Victorian Premier League (VPL).
In a major blow to FC Bendigo, goalkeeper Sebastian Mattei looks set to miss the match after he fractured a knuckle in last Saturday’s clash with St Albans at Epsom-Huntly Reserve.
Martin said that if Mattei did not take his place in the line-up, young goalkeeper Chris Xerri was likely to make his NPL Victoria division one debut.
Mattei has played every minute of the season thus far.
In addition, Englishman Matt Breeze is still struggling with a hamstring injury, and is no certainty to feature in the clash.
The match takes place at Kevin Bartlett Reserve in Richmond, Melbourne..
The day’s action kicks off at 2pm when the under-20s do battle. The senior match starts at 4pm.