Ben Rhydding 1

Birmingham University 5

After much preparation and hard work both on and off the pitch Ben Rhydding Ladies hosted Birmingham University in the first round of the National League play-offs.

It was to be the steepest learning curve so far this season for the home side. With fantastic home support and lots of expectation the game began. Neither side knew what to expect from the opposition but one thing was for sure the standard would be high.

Rhydding soon realised their opposition were going to be a handful, and after an initial period of intense play Rhydding found themselves two goals down.

By half-time Birmingham had gone three goals ahead, and Rhydding sat down for their half-time team talk a little shell shocked.

More of the same was on show in the second-half but thanks to some gutsy play from the defence goals seemed harder to come by for Birmingham. A special mention should go to Leanne Brook and Michelle who were particularly outstanding, and Jackie Goodwin played to her usual high standard.

The rest of the team can feel slightly proud at the commitment shown throughout the game, it would have been quite easy for heads to drop with the pressure applied from the opposition.

In the last few minutes Rhydding converted one of their few visits into the oppositions D and gained a consolation goal thanks to the persistence of forward Katherine French.

At the final whistle the score read 5-1, which in hindsight was a fair indication of the game. Birmingham University will be a hard team to beat in this draw and this game could prove invaluable for Ben Rhydding's preparation for the remaining games.

Various departments seemed exposed at times but one thing must be remembered if you fear to compete you will never know how good you really are, and as champions of the Northern League Rhydding must take this on board and use it in the next few weeks if they are to succeed.

l On Sunday Ben Rhydding play Oxford.