Ben Rhydding kick of their campaign in Men’s Conference North with a hard fought win again Wakefield

Sunday 25th September 2022

The Report

Ben Rhydding started on the front foot, building momentum from the off. It took only a matter of minutes for number 14 to open the account for the season, after a deflection to the edge of the D. The strike was hard and precise, giving the keeper no chance. One-nil almost became two moments later, but the ball caught a Ben Rhydding foot just before the goal line. Unfortunately, Wakefield then made it level in a fast move that saw the ball fly into the top left-hand corner. Rhydding were unphased by this however, and managed put themselves back into the lead just over two minutes before quarter-time, as number 9 had a simple tap in past a bamboozled keeper left stranded on the spot.

Wakefield were able to apply pressure through the middle periods of the match, steadily accumulating penalty corner count. But the best chance came on 22 minutes, when Ben Rhydding worked themselves into a shooting position, just right of center. A goal at this point could have prevented the ensuing pressure yet it must be said how well the home team worked to keep themselves ahead. The score remained at 2-1 going into the final quarter and with the possession seemingly with the visitors the lead seemed vulnerable.

The nerves of the home supporters were settled within the very first minute of the final period, when Ben Rhydding’s number 16 wonderfully finished off a 1-on-1 with the Wakefield keeper. The goal and passion in the celebration helped put an attacking confidence back into the team. A Wakefield goal 5 minutes later, after a few solid passed through the center of the pitch seemed ominous and would have brought down morale of most teams. But Rhydding again stuck at it and this time maintained more pressure of their own. Despite a lack of short corners Rhydding had more chances and excluding the very last moment can be said to have seen the game out in a very professional manner.