Ben Rhydding Ladies Seconds seek second

Ben Rhydding Ladies Seconds made the long journey to Sunderland on Sunday for a re-arranged fixture, still harbouring slim hopes of winning the North League (East Division).

These hopes were effectively crushed in the opening ten minutes, as a fired up Sunderland side caught their visitors napping to put themselves two up in the initial exchanges.

Ben Rhydding's somewhat makeshift team rallied well to create opportunities of their own but were always going to be second best to a side whose first XI had gained promotion to the National First Division the previous day.

Goalkeeper Claire Britcliffe was called upon to make a number of crucial saves and sweeper Clare Oates, having not played at this level for two seasons, showed no signs of fatigue with a series of trademark timely tackles.

Ben Rhydding's defence were up against it for most of the first-half, and it is to their credit that they reached the half way mark only two goals in arrears.

Into the second-half and Sunderland were able to introduce an array of substitutes, determined to build on their lead and seal the game.

Their visitors had other ideas, however, and were valiant in defence, whilst finally managing a few forays into the attacking area and winning short corners.

They were unlucky not to see these converted, as shots from Catherine French and Raine Ellis went agonisingly close.

In the end, however, the game belonged to Sunderland and only another fine save from Britcliffe from a penalty stroke kept the score respectable.

Ben Rhydding go into the final weekend of the season with their sights firmly set on the runner-up spot in the league, with Saturday's home derby against Wakefield a crucial encounter (Meet at10am at Ben Rhydding Sports Club).

B Rhydding llls 2

Normanby Park 2

THIS was another great display of character against first team opposition. Rhydding played a more conventional style of building attacks.

Normanby's tactics were to hit long range passes to a lone striker causing a foot-race in midfield to support him.

This was largely neutralised by the speedy and alert Priestley who, along with McCarrick, covered the midfield's defensive duties.

Although Normanby scored first, Rhydding quickly fought back through a Kendall goal, to go into half-time 1-1.

The second-half saw Rhydding became more dominant and were unlucky to concede a breakaway goal. Rhydding continued to press and Stephen Timperley put away a sweet strike to level the scores once more.

Smart and aggressive play by 'keeper Musgrave meant that Rhydding returned with a well deserved away point.

Rhydding Vs 5 Huddersfield 3

Arriving with 11 players, Ben Rhydding were a little slow to start. Huddersfield played better than us for the first 15 minutes, forcing defensive play from the off.

By then Rhydding had settled a little and were beginning to work as a team, demonstrated with a Hatton goal midway through the first-half. Huddersfield immediatley countered against the run of play with a goal, before Hatton struck again.

Into the second-half at 2-2 and Rhydding scored again through Hatton's third before another heart-breaking equaliser from Huddersfield that narrowly missed Roughton's head.

An exceptionally dangerous ball was then converted by the Huddersfield centre-forward in their first attack of the half, from a very fast break down the right.

Rhydding were by now starting to tire, but Huddersfield's fairly young, fit and fast team were not taking advantage. Despite several good clearances out of their D, Huddersfield couldn't get another attack together.

The onus was on Rhydding to finish the job. Jerram missed a sitter, topping it from only three yards out, and Ketteman lauched a missile into the side netting from a 15 yard shot from almost on the baseline, but the best was yet to come.

Another attack, and Hatton's shot was saved and landed in front of goal a full five yards from Dryden.

Typically, a sprinting Dryden dived for the ball, and reached it at full stretch with a seriously impressive diving reverse blade shot round a defender and under the 'keeper's stick to make it 4-3!

The consequence of this was that Dryden was losing rather a lot of blood from his knees, thighs, elbows and other places, although he didn't realise until it was pointed out to him by the opposition, whereby he just shrugged and smiled.

Rhydding were really motoring now, a late goal from Musgrave from a short corner sealed the victory 5-3.

Overall it was a top drawer performance from a strong team. Excellent teamwork allowed excellent performances from everyone.

Particularly of note were A Portnell on the right wing, with his pace and stick speed; Dryden, for his tenacious hard work; and Kelly for keeping Rhydding in the game in the first-half.

Breaks up the left and right from Jerram and Portnell created a great deal of space for a Hatton who was on fire in the middle of the front three.

Rob Lowe's solid tackling was also an important factor, along with Musgrave and Ketteman's accurate distribution. Blackburn's extreme pace took its toll on the opposition left wing.

Roughton and Shutt also had good games, tackling accurately, and denying huddersfield possession, both also demonstrating superb distribution through the midfield.

B Rhydding Vls 5 Leeds 4

Ben Rhydding Sixths, in third place, took on the leaders Leeds at home, and having lost to them five times in the last three seasons, knew it was going to be a tough game.

Ben Rhydding came out of the blocks the quickest and were two up, both scored by Hugh Lambert.

Leeds finally woke up and despite Will Benedickz making several outstanding saves Leeds managed to get one back.

The sixths went straight back down the other end and Johnny Taylor scored.

Once again Leeds fought back and got one back and pushed for an equaliser, but again found Benedickz in superb form.

Ben Rhydding unbelievably attacked again and once again Taylor scored for them to go 4-2 up at half-time.

In the second-half Leeds pressed again but were foiled by good defensive work from Stuart Raw and Myles Locke.

Something eventually had to give and Leeds scored two good goals to draw level.

In the last five minutes the sixths got some strength from somewhere and were rewarded with two short corners which were cleared off the line.

In the last minute another short corner was awarded to Ben Rhydding but this time the ball went under the 'keeper and Mike Nixon came from nowhere to poach the winner, a tremendous result which once again promotes the sixth X1 for the second year running.

Otliensians 5 City of York 3

With three games to go until the end of the season Otliensians started the game focussed on leaving with three points.

A dream start saw Otliensians take the lead through a deftly taken Hannah Holmes shot. This was quickly followed up by a well practised penalty corner with a slap shot from the top of the D by Sarena Corney easily beating York's defensive line up.

With the opposition slightly stunned and the Otley side's confidence flowing, Otliensians' third goal started with midfield passes between Sarena Corney and Becky Caisley finding Hannah Holmes on the wing.

Weaving through the defence, Holmes passed to a free Hayley Robinson on top of the D who finished off Otley's efforts with the third goal.

Not happy with only three goals, Otliensians persisted and with the goalkeeper unable to effectively clear the ball, Player-of-the-Match Hayley Robinson scored her second.

The first-half was rounded off with a top of the D penalty corner shot from Dani Cox being touched in Julia Calvert. The half-time score was an impressive 5-0.

Otliensians entered the second-half with the same attacking pressure as in the first, however an unfortunate injury to Becky Caisley resulted in a premature end to her season.

Otley subsequently lost their rhythm and went on back foot and allowed the opposition to attack. Much to the frustration of Otley's goalkeeper/captain York managed to score three goals in fairly quick succession.

With two minutes to go Tracey Helliwell made some crucial saves to keep York at bay.

Otliensians were relieved to hear the final whistle and left the field with red faces due to effort levels rather than the humiliation of drawing.