Otliensians maintain their unbeaten run at Rhydding

After the long Christmas break, Otliensians returned with a derby match against Ben Rhydding and were determined to maintain their unbeaten run.

In this tense, nail biting game Otley started positively and were camped in the Rhydding circle but were unlucky not to capitalise on their solid team play.

They were able to make good use of the space in centre mid in what turned out to be a very open first-half with chances for both sides.

Otliensians' defence persisted in pushing the play out of their defensive zone, building their attacking moves through their practiced diamond formation.

In the second-half Rhydding stepped up their game but were thwarted by a consistently strong Otley defence.

Rhydding provided open space through the middle of the pitch which Otley's joint players of the match Dani Cox, Becky Caisley and Hayley Robinson, took advantage of.

The winning goal came five minutes from the end when Becky Caisley smashed in a free hit which was poorly cleared to enable Hayley Robinson to nutmeg the Ben Rhydding goalkeeper.

Otley were pinned back in the closing minutes with a wave of Rhydding attacks resulting in them being awarded a penalty corner. With the tension rising, Otley cleared the ball to maintain their clean sheet and claim a well earned victory.

B Rhydding llls 2 Wakefield 1

Saturday's game caused some early administrative nightmares as Vice-Captain Moore took himself off after only two minutes to be followed two minutes later by Nazar. Hughes lent a hand at the back, shoring up the side but the confusion led to a Wakefield short corner, which Wakefield converted via a prone Pratt's stick end.

Half-time called for a re-think on Rhydding's shape, which led to Man-of-the-Match Kendall scoring. A second goal came from a short corner, after which Rhydding held on for the win.

Team confidence is high as they go into this Saturday's clash against Slazengers.

B Rhydding lVs 7 King Cross 1

Rhydding fourths travelled to Sowerby to take on Halifax King Cross with only 11 players.

Rhydding started the slower with Cross playing their intimidating physical game. For the first quarter Rhydding struggled to create chances while at the other end they were lucky not to concede.

A Borrett shot felled the home centre-back and he had to leave the field for stitches.

While the match was halted to allow the home side to re-organise, Pickard and Musgrave rallied the team and made some tactical changes.

The momentum swung Rhydding's way and within minutes Simon Timperley scored after Dawson had found him unmarked in the D.

This seemed to unsettle the home side and Rhydding's next attack saw the home umpire award Rhydding a short corner which Musgrave clinically fired home. Further chances fell to Dowley, Pickard and Matt Timperley as Rhydding pushed for a third.

McMillan drove into the D before slotting the ball into the goal. The half ended a flattering 3-0 to the visitors.

In an effort to get themselves back in the match, the home side made some tactical changes, however the second-half got off to the worst possible start for them.

Pickard found McMillan in the D. As the pack of defenders and the 'keeper rushed toward him, McMillan was only too glad to get rid of the ball to Borrett, who slotted the ball home into the empty net.

Rhydding were now well on top and in a move similar to the one that led to the Rhydding fourth goal, Borrett's shot was stopped on the line only for Dawson to add Rhydding's fifth.

This seemed to fire the home side up even more and the game began to develop an edge to it. The home side did get a goal back when, after saving the initial shot, Funnell attempted to clear the ball across his goal only for it to rebound off one of his team mates and into his net.

Rhydding continued as they had left off and won themselves a short corner. Musgrave's fierce shot rebounded to Dawson who nudged the ball over the line.

Rhydding rounded of a fine performance, when the Simon Timperley ran unchallenged into the D and unleashed a low shot with such ferocity that the home 'keeper ran out of the goal.

Cameron Borrett was awarded Man-of-the-Match but Matt Timperley was a close second.

B Rhydding Vs 1 Rotherham 1

Ben Rhydding played well for long periods but were disappointed not to come away with a win in this bottom-of-the-table clash.

Rhydding started well with an early diving shot by the enthusiastic James Jordan which was saved although Rhydding kept up the pressure and scored through Mark Ketteman. Rotherham came back with a breakaway goal.

The second-half was goalless but exciting. Sam Stell was involved in some frisky exchanges at right-half and together with his brother Henry they worked the midfield well and earned a number of short corners.

Rhydding however could not get through due to the Rotherham 'keeper making some fine saves. The match ended as a draw but it is a promising start to a new year for the fifth team.

The men's second team lost 2-1 to Brigg with C Sunderland netting their goal.

The fifth team enjoyed a 1-1 draw with Rotherham, their goal coming from M Ketteman.

The mens sixths lost 2-1 to Doncaster. Man-of-the-Match Taylor used his pace to worry the Doncaster defence. A clinical finish from Norman Borrett brought their goal.

The men's seventh team had a high scoring 5-5 draw with Normanby Park with goals from R Dawson (3), A Charlesworth and P Stenton. The eighth team beat Airedale 2-0 with strikes from I Shutt and P Smith.