23rd Feb 2019 Mens 1st v Deeside Ramblers 2(Away) 5 - 2 win
It was a game of two halves for Rhydding after the long journey to Deeside to play in unseasonal sunshine and warmth. They delivered some beautiful hockey in the first half and it did not take long for them to open the scoring courtesy of a Will Musgrave corner. However, Will Rutter had to make a few good saves and the Rhydding defence had to pull out a few excellent tackles in a period of pressure. Breaking from corner defence, Will Jones gave an amazing ball for George Gamble to slide it on for Lorimer, who smashed in a great reverse to make it 2-0. The game continued to be stodgy in midfield with Rhydding trying hard to create some flow. A corner was converted just before half time, Musgrave making no mistake and taking his team to 3-0 going into the break.
A refining of press tactic led to an immediate goal as the second half began; ripping the ball off Deeside high up the pitch, Rhydding made good connections with Matty Bairstow slipping to Musgrave who gathered the ball and slotted it past the keeper for his hat-trick. A disallowed goal disheartened the away team and relentless breaking down of play by Deeside made the game slow and Rhydding were unable to find their pace and rhythm. Some foolish and unnecessary challenges from Rhydding led to a series of corners for Deeside; two of which were converted to bring the score back to 4-2. Rhydding got a last gasp goal from a corner on the final whistle, with Musgrave indefatigably burying it to leave the tally at 5-2.