16th Feb 2019 Mens 5th v Driffield 3(Away) 2 - 1 win
The long journey back from Driffield is much more pleasant after a win and some excellent food after the game. The match itself was a close contest, both sides producing the occasional piece of creative hockey, but Rhydding found their first time touch let them down on many occasions and never managed to get a grip on the game.
Half term holidays had left the men's teams short of goalkeepers, so Rob Jackson were pleased that Ladies 3 keeper, Dani Brosnan was happy to play a second game and that he would not have to play as "kicking back". It may be no coincidence that George Alexander had his best game of the season and would probably have been awarded the "player of the match" but that award goes to Dani for stepping in and making several crucial saves.
The extra player also meant we could rotate the midfield, where Aidan Lee-Wardell and Mac Brumfitt were the usual bright sparks.
Dan Tilbrook opened the scoring from a short corner and Ben Rhydding created several more chances in the first half but could not capitalise. In the second half, Driffield gave the Rhydding defence more to do, Max Bradley patrolling in front of the back 3, was very effective in shielding them from the the quicker Driffield players. However a lapse in concentration by the defence allowed Driffield to level the scores.
A warm sunny afternoon in February might be rare, but definitely not as rare as a Rob Jackson goal. With Dan taking a breather, the skipper took the responsibility when Rhydding were awarded a penalty corner late in the game. A crisp strike looked to have been saved by the defender on the line, but the ball spun over his stick and somehow made it over the line. They all count and Ben Rhydding saw out out the last few minutes to earn the 2-1 win.