Oxton 1, Ben Rhydding 2

Ben Rhydding's good fortune in the Northern Premier League continued last Saturday as they struggled to an unconvincing 2-1 away win at Oxton.

Two goals from Australian midfielder Stuart Haslam proved the difference between two sides who both looked far from their best.

Neither team really looked like scoring in the first-half, and scrappy

play from both midfields led to a number of wayward passes and broken down set-plays.

Ben Rhydding began the second- half revitalised and for ten minutes dominated the game. Oxton however refused to give in, piling the pressure on Rhydding's new-look defence with some fabulous passing.

In fact, if it wasn't for some wayward strikes at goal Oxton could well have been one goal up.

Once again though, Ben Rhydding's prowess on the penalty corner set piece shone through, as Stuart Haslam scored a deflection goal from a slick pass from Brad King.

Five minutes later it was Haslam on the scoresheet again. Dan Kelly had

one of his trademark reverse stick strikes beautifully saved, however the ball rebounded quite nicely for midfielder Haslam who launched himself at the lifted ball, slapping it into the net to put the game out of Oxton's reach.

A scrappy goalmouth scramble late in the game allowed Oxton to pull one back, however the result was beyond their reach, and Rhydding gratefully accepted the 2-1 result.

Now three points clear at the top of the table, Ben Rhydding play at home this week against Sheffield Hallam. With eight games to go, each precious point is becoming more and more important to Rhydding's quest to gain a place in the National League.

Special mention has to go to Ben Rhydding's young striker Will Musgrave, who this week was selected in England's Under-18 squad.

Will has performed admirably for Rhydding this season, and thoroughly deserves his call up to the national squad.