B Rhydding llls 3 LA Metros 2

Following a 6-2 beating by LA Metros in the league game earlier in the season, this much needed post turkey-excess game, was going to be hard for Ben Rhydding Thirds.

Fielding a strong experienced team proved too much for the younger and fitter opposition. Performances of note came from Kendall, who ran his socks off and got two goals and Man- of-the-Match; Moore, who put his all into the best short corner block seen all year; Ford, whose first-half distribution was excellent; and Marsh's defensive tackling.

Nazar made an important contribution on the left wing and is developing into a quality player.

It is good to start the year on a high and the team needs to keep that buzz for Saturday's league game against Wakefield.

B Rhydding lVs 3 LA Metros 2

On the weekend of giant killing and shock results in the FA cup, Ben Rhydding Fourths travelled to LA Metros, to take on a team one division above them in a friendly prior to the start of league matches.

The match itself started as smartly as Rhydding looked. Rhydding created chances and when Matt Timperley pushed the ball under the home 'keeper in the middle of the D, McMillan was quickest to react and helped the ball the last foot over the line.

Moments later Rhydding deservedly increased the lead, when Pawson, Pickard and Matt Timperley combined before finding Metcalfe in the D, who calmly beat two players before finishing.

The half continued with Rhydding dominating possession and further chances falling to Dawson, McMillan and Pickard, while LA Metros were restricted to few attacks and struggled to break through the defence.

Barrett at the heart of the defence showed he had not lost his timing in the tackle over the Christmas break and conceded a short corner with his first touch.

The half ended with Rhydding well on top and Funnell in goal only having had to make one save.

Following the John Dowley half-time talk the second-half began with LA Metros controlling the game and Rhydding chasing to win possession.

However, against the run of play, Pickard picked out Dawson in full flight heading into the D, only to be met by a Simon Timperley body check.

Metros continued to attack and dominate the half and, but for strong tackling by Smith and some outstanding saves by Funnell, the home team could have been well in front.

Eventually Rhydding conceded from a short corner and within ten minutes were level from a well worked goal.

The shock of conceding the second goal seemed to waken up Rhydding and they set about restoring their lead.

Metcalfe, McMillan, Simon Timperley fired wide and the 'keeper made good saves from Dowley and Matt Timperley before Pickard attempted a reverse stick strike into the roof of the net which barely left the ground.

With less than ten minutes left Rhydding were awarded a short corner which Metcalfe calmly flicked into the roof of the net to restore the lead, which they then held on to, despite the home teams best efforts.

Although good performances from Smith and Dowley, Man-of-the- Match was awarded to Funnell, whose inspirational second-half performance ultimately won the match.