10th Nov 2018 Mens 5th v Boston Spa 4(Away) 1 - 2 loss
The one that got away! Ben Rhydding travelled to Boston Spa and executed the game plan to perfection in the first half. Boston Spa defence had no answer to the intricate passing moves down the right through Max Bradley, Aiden Lee- Wardle and James Everett. In the middle Richard Brook and Petur Benedikz wisely spread the ball to the wings and avoided taking into contact with the defenders. The Boston Spa 2XI keeper made numerous saves but the pressure was finally rewarded when Max Bradley was on hand to put the ball in the net as it was played across the goal from the left.
At the other end of the pitch the Ben Rhydding defence dealt with the few attacks Boston Spa could mount, young keeper Josiah Wood stayed alert to make a couple of saves in both halves.
The second half was more even, Boston Spa got their two influential midfield players into the game more and began to disrupt the Ben Rhydding flow, a few hefty collisions by their defenders on our youngsters did not help, Jonathan Wood was felled several times but each time picked himself up and got on with tormenting the defender.
Bryan Websdale, Matt Wood, Carl Mawson and Rob Jackson defended well until a momentary lapse in concentration allowed Boston Spa to equalise with about 10 minutes to go. Boston Spa sensed an opportunity and scored a winner, a stunning reverse strike on goal, such quality we do not normally see in bottom division of the Yorkshire League!
At the final whistle the Ben Rhydding players looked dejected, they will look back and think they should have put the game to bed in the first half, but can reflect that they played some great hockey and more of the same next week.
Man of the Match this week is awarded to Jonathan Wood for his resilience and determination to keep going.