16th Oct 2021 Mens 1st v Harrogate(Away) 3 - 2 win

This was a savage local derby that produced the inevitable tension and aggression that you would expect. Rhydding emerged the victors and having won 5 games from 5 games, sit deservedly at the top of the league.
The first half saw a high rate of turnover from both teams, which produced a scrappy, tense game. Rhydding’s defence was impressive and they gradually began to find their flow. A timely goal just going into the Half time break gave Rhydding the lead; Callum Franks stepping to intercept and connecting with George Gamble who put Mark Portnell through to finish the move.

This settled Rhydding a little but Harrogate had no intention of rolling over. Some naïve tackling drew a corner for Harrogate which they gobbled up and got themselves back in the game. Rhydding found their rhythm and after a phase of patient, dominant hockey, scored an easy goal finished by Charlie Smith to edge into the lead.

Against the run of play, Harrogate found a reply and with an unexpected overload after the ball popped out of congestion, scored a gift of a goal to get back level again. This was a period of real vulnerability for Rhydding as they also disappointingly, sustained the very first yellow card of the season.

Rhydding stepped up a gear for the final part of the game and scored the winner with some beautiful hockey leading to a simple goal; well worked and finished by the indefatigable Charlie Smith. A 3-2 victory was most acceptable to Rhydding but the scoreline probably flattered Harrogate in truth.