Roseberry...........2

Ben Rhydding....3

Ben Rhydding Ladies were relieved to claim victory in this first friendly match following a lengthy Christmas break. In an otherwise sluggish game, Jo Ellis celebrated with a hat-trick in her final match before she joins her England Under-21 colleagues this weekend for the tour to South Africa.

Ben Rhydding made hard work of this victory, failing to regain the form shown earlier in the season and unable to open up the game as Roseberry closed down well and forced numerous errors.

On a more positive note, an important victory was gained against a side battling for promotion from North League Division Two and in the second-half the visitors moved up a gear to show glimpses of early season form.

As Ben Rhydding struggled to find their rhythm in the early exchanges, Roseberry piled on the pressure and took a deserved lead midway through the first-half.

The visitors seemed unable to find any real openings and it took a real solo effort from Jo Ellis to outwit her opponents before slotting a fine reverse flick into the net to level the scores, giving the 'keeper no chance.

Into the second-half and Ben Rhydding began to assert themselves more in the game. The midfield began to switch the ball around, creating space to find the forwards, who were able to mount a series of attacks on the home defence.

Melissa Reynard, recently returned from England Cricket World Cup duty in New Zealand, enjoyed a tireless game in midfield, ably supported by the dependable Jo Wilson and a strong performance from Izzy MacDonald at centre defence.

Ben Rhydding took a deserved lead when Jo Ellis slotted the ball home for her second goal. Roseberry responded again, however, capitalising on some confusion in the visitors' defence to grab an equaliser.

By this time Ben Rhydding were beginning to put together some fine passing moves, and Jo Ellis gained her hat-trick with a simple goal following a string of passes and a neat exchange with captain Jackie Goodwin.

This was a workmanlike performance which Ben Rhydding will hope to improve upon as they face national league opponents Sherwood in a home friendly on Saturday (3 pm).

BR Ladies lls..............2

Halifax and Calder.....0

Ben Rhydding Ladies Seconds continued their steady upward climb in this Yorkshire Premier League.

The ladies could be forgiven their confidence as they took the field after their awesome performance against strong contenders Adel before Christmas and a resounding 8-1 victory against Newcastle in a preparatory friendly fixture.

It was skipper, Demy Dowley who opened the scoring in buoyant mood after bagging four goals against Newcastle. Her strike was made easy by the perfect injection and stop by Alexa Jennings and Lexi Pantelli to set up a text book penalty corner routine.

The first-half saw Rhydding's defence having a very quiet time of it as the team were continually going forward and were unlucky not to score a dozen or more.

Clare Oates had an exceptional game at sweeper despite carrying a calf injury and Natalie Favell, an outstanding talent, never looked surer in goal.

Experienced defenders, Mainwaring and Pawson picked off any Halifax threats very early and the midfield built wave after wave of quality possession.

The prolific Alexa Jennings found the back board in the second-half with an excellent finish after tireless running was at last rewarded and another precious three points secured for Ben Rhydding.

Ben Rhydding Fifths...5

Bradford Thirds..........0

A bright New Year start saw Ben Rhydding Fifths demolish Bradford after inter-passing through the middle saw Till score in the first minute.

The second came swiftly from a combination of Mounsey and Till for Dawson to stream down the right crossing with pin-point accuracy for Till to score again. Bradford woke up and goalkeeper Pratt made an outstanding double stop to deny the opposition.

Distribution by Ketterman to Till down the middle resulted in another fine passing display and a penalty flick, well placed by Bevington to make it 3-0.

Pressure by Bradford in the second-half was resisted and set up a series of left and right-wing moves using Chris Borrett and Mounsey to run on to and a 'keeper clearance came back off the determined attack to go into the goal.

Till, who produced someo utstanding running at centre-forward, then provided the goal of the game.

Ketterman received the ball in centre, pushed it back and wide to Dawson who collected, turned and hit a wonderful ball the length of the pitch to Till, who beat the advancing 'keeper with a superb strike in one movement to complete his hat-trick.

Man-of-the-Match was R Dawson.