2nd Mar 2019 Mens 2nd v Halifax 2(Away) 2 - 0 win
The Men�s second team needed just one point from their game on the hilly heights of Halifax to win the League. The game started off at a quick tempo with Rhydding having the majority of possession and passing the ball in Halifax�s half. The first real chance came to Kit Fantastic (yes that is his name) who scuffed a shot into the side netting. Jack Sturgeon, giraffe by week and hockey player come weekend, had several chances to trap the ball and create opportunities for Rhydding but on each occasion he let the ball run off the back line. Credit where it�s due though, Sturgeon ran tirelessly whilst he was on opening up channels for Rhydding players to run into, it was just a shame when Murgatroyd didn�t have the foggiest idea where he was meant to be running.
Sturgeon created the first goal, with a T-spot lead before passing to Lorimer who, completely out of character, opted to pass the ball in the D. His pass was on target for the bottom corner of the goal though and as Fantastic recognised this, he left the ball to bobble through and Rhydding were 1-0 up.
Aaron and Liam Terry, both back after a week at the tanning salon, provided excellent distribution and tackling in the middle and rear of the park. Giles Flatt passed the ball around with supreme confidence and gave Rhydding forwards the chance to score on numerous occasions. Ollie Burton made some fantastic runs with the ball and was very unlucky to have a top corner reverse stick goal disallowed for backing in.
The highlight of the game came in the 23rd minute, when Murgatroyd was dawdling with the ball in midfield before being tackled and cleaned out by Halifax�s 6ft 4in midfielder. Lying on the ground haplessly, Murgatroyd swung his arms open and shouted �You ducking trick� at the midfielder who, quite frankly, didn�t give a doss. Standing up in all his mighty at 4ft 2in, Murgatroyd tried to confront the Halifax player only to realise that he was talking to his belly button. This was a moment to treasure for the Rhydding players watching.
Captain and goalkeeper Will Benedikz held the fort at the back and ensured his men wouldn�t let the lead slip at half-time by absolutely roasting what everybody else thought was a good first half performance.
Rhydding had many chances in the second half, and a lot of them could have been converted had Lorimer opted to pass the ball. Tommy Hagan made some great leads and just needs to grow 2 feet in order to convert them. On the one occasion that Lorimer�s shot did pay off, it was a reverse stick screamer. This trademark Lorimer goal flew off the edge of his stick before hitting the underside of the crossbar and rippling straight down the rest of the netting. The keeper all but a spectator. 2-0.
After some nervy moments at the back, mainly Ben Blackburn starting to run and then being unable to stop before being in the oppositions D, Rhydding had managed to win 2-0 and were winners!
Oscar Locke, who has been out all season having downloaded Tinder, returned to the 2s for the photo after that match so all his ladies could see he was a hockey league winner. Having read his playing contract after the game, he is still being paid �1 for every second he has the ball in his possession which explains why he never passed the ball.
Many thanks to Butch, Will Benedikz and anybody else who has helped with the second team and their promotion success this season.