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Richmond midfielder Mike Burke had a hand in every goal, including a first half hat-trick in the space of 28 minutes, as the Kickers strolled to a 6-0 win over the Real Maryland Monarchs.

The Kickers asserted their dominance as early as the 9th minute. Luke Vercellone flicked on a Mike Burke corner for Fabian Dawkins to put Richmond in the lead with an acrobatic finish.

Six minutes later, Richmond won a free kick on the left side of the box. Burke quickly set the ball down and immediately sent a curling shot to the far post, beyond the disparaging dive of Monarchs’ keeper Oscar Araujo.

The Kickers continued to attack and were three up on the half hour mark. Sasha Gorres’ penetrating through ball released Adrian Bumbut who unselfishly pulled the ball back for Burke to tap in his second goal of the game.

Burke completed his first half hat-trick two minutes before the interval. The midfielder collected a pass from Kevin Knight at the top of the box and created space for himself before firing a low hard drive on goal. The ball looked to be heading straight at Araujo, but the Real Maryland shot stopper somehow contrived to let the ball slip underneath him and trickle into the net.

Real Maryland started the second half in a more attacking frame of mind as Richmond seemed content to sit back and defend its lead.

Harold Pena missed just wide with a shot from long range before Devlin Barnes long pile driver was smartly saved by Richmond keeper Ronnie Pascale.

Richmond then went back on the attack and the goals quickly followed.

In the 65th minute, Burke once again found himself behind the Monarchs backline. Darting in at an angle, Burke picked his head up and squared the ball for substitute Freddy Smith to put home his third goal of the season.

The final goal came in the 78th minute as Anthony Catalano rose highest to head home a corner from none other than Mike Burke.