26th Jan 2019 Mens 1st v Stockton(Away) 5 - 4 win

hydding dominated the first part of this difficult game and played some slick hockey to keep Stockton chasing. It was an early lead for them as Myles Locke delivered a deadly ball from the back to the front of the pitch to find Musgrave who went 1v1 with the keeper to score expertly.

The game swung dramatically in Stockton�s favour with a flurry of goals from open play and one touch finishing that put them 3-1 ahead. Rhydding regained their composure to finish the half and scored a cracking goal to claw back into the game; a crisp ball from Will Jones into the circle for Max Helme to take a clever touch to deflect to make it a timely 3-2.

A change of pressing tactics for the second half saw Rhydding take control at once. Neil Sugden scored a wonder goal to take Rhydding level, screeching the ball into the top corner past the keeper. Stockton replied almost immediately with another deflection from a long ball into the circle to snatch the lead back at 4-3.

This is where Rhydding showed tremendous character, resilience and discipline to knuckle down and find a way to win. Callum Franks scored an absolute screamer of a goal from a corner at full dive to spike it into the roof of the net and level the scores once again. As time was slowly running out, Rhydding were the stronger and more focused team as they clinically stuck to process in order to get the outcome. Will Musgrave buried a corner to give his side the victory in an ugly game but Rhydding can be proud of their professionalism and discipline which are the key qualities that ultimately won them the game.

Ben Rhydding maintain 4th place in the table and this Saturday entertain 5th placed Neston at 3pm at Ben Rhydding Sports Club. 4 teams will bepromoted at the end of the season so this is a crucial game.