Ben Rhydding LADIES 8

DON VALLEY 1

AN eight goal volley was the resounding way in which Ben Rhydding clarified three points in this bottom of the league showdown.

Ben Rhydding were able to turn it on within the opening minutes, Jackie Barratt linking up well with Jackie Goodwin on the right to create an early flurry of promising possession. Catherine French opened the scoring with a remarkable reverse stick sweep from great service from Izzy MacDonald. Jo Ellis then slapped home a super goal only to follow it up with another soon after when Jo Wilson found the gap and released her.

Dot Mainwaring looking ever confident was able to find players on the left and right with equal ease and Jackie Goodwin buried goal four only to watch Don Valley have a brief reply and a loose player made the most of her luck and slotted her shot away.

Rhydding came out in the second- half at a furious pace, the whole team being involved in the adventurous, creative mood, and even Claire Britcliffe in goal built the simplest of touches into something purposeful. Gemma Anderson put some superb balls across the back to Jackie Barratt who was the instigator of so many successful build-ups.

Jo Ellis's flying leap to send the ball soaring roof ward into the net set the tone for the remainder of this thrilling game. Mel Gough sent a perfect pass into the D for Demy Dowley to take a first time shot to take the tally to six and she could hardly believe her luck when just minutes later Jo Ellis sent a gift of a cross to Demy Dowley in front of goal for her to slap it high into the net. Jackie Goodwin had the last word picking up the pieces from a Rachel Doherty break and slamming home the last goal to make it a glorious 8-1 victory. The result takes Rhydding's head off the chopping block and leaves them optimistic about the forthcoming challenge from Winnington Park on Saturday push back 1.30pm

Ben Rhydding....... 1

Sheffield ..............4

BEN Rhydding men put up a great fighting performance against North Premier League leaders Sheffield.

In driving rain the former national league side were quickly on top and led 1-0 at the interval.

Ben Rhydding fought hard to level matters in the second period but eventually crashed 4-1.

The home side were not helped by a number of suspect umpiring decisions.

Ben Rhydding are now placed sixth in the table and to ensure premier league safety they must pick up six points from their next two games against Norton and Neston respectively.

Badgers.............................4

Slazenger lV's...................6

Players on both sides came off the pitch agreeing that this had been one of the most enjoyable games of the season. Yet it looked like the Badgers were going to be in for a drubbing as Slazengers notched up a four goal lead in the first 20 minutes.

Although the play was fairly evenly distributed the Slazengers' attack took their first four chances as the Badgers' defence was still getting to know each other.

Rather than let their heads go down

the Badgers re-grouped and fine work from Chris Borritt on the left wing led

to a short corner converted by Peter Grummitt. Grummitt was on target again deflecting Paul Monkman's stinging shot past the 'keeper after Simon Forbes had cleverly beaten his marker.

The second-half continued at the same furious pace and Slazengers must have thought the points were in the bag when they converted a short corner of their own to lead 5-2.

A flowing Badger's move started by Sam Charters in defence culminated in Grummitt notching another goal with yet another simple tap in. When Monkman burst through the defence to score a fine individual goal the Badgers could sense a remarkable comeback. It was not to be as the Badgers were unexpectedly reduced to ten men for a short spell during which time Slazengers scored their sixth and winning goal.

This was a heartening performance which demonstrated the Ben Rhydding youngsters' refusal to give up when things were going against them.

Ben Rhydding Vs........4

Adel Vs........................3

Ben Rhydding Fifths should have won this encounter more convincingly than the 4-3 scoreline suggests.

Rhydding opened very strongly. The right hand side of the attack enjoyed considerable freedom and after only five minutes John Hornby made use of several excellent crosses from Bancroft.

The visitors gradually came back into the game, and mid-way through the half they equalised as a cross from the right was swept in from the left as Rhydding were badly caught out on the break.

Only in the closing minutes did Ben Rhydding get back into any sort of rhythm and Alastair Woodhead scored from a short corner.

For most of the second-half the home side were in control. James Moore enjoyed mixed fortunes in this period; he scored from a difficult right wing cross and then shortly afterwards he failed to convert a much easier chance set up by an excellent solo run from Jordon.

Fortunately, Tony Hatton scored an excellent goal to make the score 4-1.

Sadly Ben Rhydding coasted for the final ten minutes and conceded two late goals. However, the points were safe.

Alastair Woodhead, at sweeper, narrowly pipped Tony Hatton for Booth's Man-of-the-Match.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.