Ben Rhydding Ladies.......3

Roseberry.......................... 0

Ben Rhydding Ladies have established a good position in 4th place in North League Division One and are now enjoying a break from league hockey until February.

Meanwhile a strong side including a couple of promising younger players took to the field for a friendly fixture against Roseberry, themselves pushing for promotion from North League Division Two.

The home side enjoyed a dream start, as Rachel Doherty opened the scoring after just 20 seconds, following a fine move by newcomer Alexa Jennings and a neat cross from young Jo Ellis.

Roseberry responded strongly and were not about to capitulate, putting the Rhydding defence under pressure and forcing a couple of good saves from 'keeper Clare Britcliffe.

The first half was full of solid hockey, Ben Rhydding striving to maintain their superiority whilst unable to put demonstrate some of the sparkling play that has characterised recent home performances.

Mel Gough was a stalwart in the Roseberry defence; the ex-Ben Rhydding player demonstrating fine form to keep ex-teammates Doherty and Ellis at bay. Rising stars Alexa Jennings and Lexi Pantelli played with confidence, creating a number of attacking moves, which culminated in a well deserved goal for Jennings early in the second-half.

Ben Rhydding raised their game as their visitors began to drop the pace, and the defence had little to trouble them in the last quarter as the home side pushed strongly in attack. Another goal was inevitable, and it was top goal scorer Jo Ellis who again got onto the scoresheet, with a neat touch on a Jackie Goodwin cross giving the 'keeper no chance.

Ben Rhydding were pleased with a workmanlike performance with some excellent play by some of the younger players which bodes well for the future.

Normanby Park IV..........2

Ben Rhydding VI ...........4

Ben Rhydding Sixths' recent revival continued with a comfortable 4-2 victory over Normanby Park. The pace of the Ben Rhydding forwards, wreched havoc in the Normanby Park defence and lead to three goals in the first ten minutes of the match. Massey's pass found Harlen in space on the right, and Harlen's firm cross was converted by Bowden.

Harlen then scored two further goals in quick succession. The first from a strike at the top of the D, after running through the defence, and the second, a thunderous shot after a pass from Borrett. At this time the match looked like it might turn into a rout, as several other chances went begging, but Park recovered their composure and did most of the attacking in the second quarter of the game. However, their attack failed to penetrate the solid defence left goalkeeper Funnell with little to do.

In the second-half, the Ben Rhydding midfield reasserted itself, but despite further chances for the Ben Rhydding forwards it was Normanby Park who opened the scoring in the second-half.

However, any doubts on the result were dispelled by a fourth Ben Rhydding goal, when a brilliant turn and pass from centre-forward Borrett set-up Bowden for his second goal of the game and his fifth in three matches since joining Ben Rhydding.

Normanby Park scored a controversial consolation goal in the last minute of match, after the ball appeared to go out of play. An impressive team performance from Ben Rhydding and an important step towards avoiding relegation.