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Ben Rhydding Under-10s

Ben Rhydding Boys U-10s triumphed in the Yorkshire League Finals at Outwood Grange, Wakefield. Rhydding were already the North West League Champions.

The six young boys in the A team had rattled up a massive 105 goals for with just two against. Top scorers were Thomas Burton 42, Alex Henney and James Cutter 20 and Will Hatton 18.

Rhydding immediately made their presence felt in and were the team to beat winning their first game 3-0 against Slazengers and then the next two games against Bradford and Sheffield both 5-0. The indomitable Will Hatton continually providing an array of bullet passes from the right firing them into the D for the agile Thomas Burton to slot into the back of the net. Young Sam Stewart, the newest recruit, showed time and time again why he had been chosen using his pace up front to hassle the defenders. Alex Henney in the centre continually pushed the ball forward gliding past defenders with ease and skill to either score himself or pass to his teammates.

The ball rarely got into the Rhydding D as it had to get past the formidable talent of James Cutter who completely dominated midfield. The few times the ball did go near the Rhydding goal the team never worried as there was Scott Van Berckel each and every time making the perfect tackle to clear. They won their last two games 2-1 and 2-0 against the Ben Rhydding B team and York A. The boys in this team who have played together for most of the year each have a special talent. It has been a joy to watch.

Ben Rhydding U-11s A kicked off the Yorkshire round of the Nationals in a tight opening game against Doncaster. Without the services of team captain and last year's National Player-of-the-Year Elliot Dowley, who was injured, it was always going to be tough.

Rhydding began promisingly, moving the ball quickly and accurately. Ogden and Lorimer were solid but an early injury to Phillipson saw the introduction of Wellman-Brown. Within minutes Hatton played Wellman-Brown in one-on-one with the keeper and he slotted home. The remainder of the match was tense with Rhydding creating numerous chances and Doncaster attempting to attack on the break. Herbert in goal was redundant as his teammates stopped any Doncaster attack and although Rhydding should have won more convincingly they were glad to get off to a winning start.

A buoyant York were next up. Rhydding started the brighter and bombarded the York goal. A combination of some desperate defending and their keeper repeatedly saving from close range saw Rhydding unable to score. The match ended goalless and Rhydding left the field disappointed.

The final match of the pool was against Martongate Primary School. Rhydding dominated and began creating chances. Cutter opened the scoring before Hatton and Till made it 3-0. Desperate defending and the failure of the opposing umpire to award a definite penalty flick meant the score remained 3-0 and Rhydding finished top of the pool.

The play-off match to qualify was against Driffield. Both teams started nervously. Early chances fell to Till and Hatton but the Driffield defence held firm. Captain McMillan kept a cool head in midfield while Welman-Brown was always a threat. As the match drew towards half-time Driffield became more physical. Rhydding began to dominate possession.

Hatton was struck by a lifted ball in the chest and did well to stay on the field. In the closing moments McMillan was clumsily felled and Welman-Brown was floored by a direct strike on his ankle.

Half-time arrived and a rousing team talk from coach Demy Dowley, together with some tactical changes, saw Rhydding start the second-half determined to demonstrate their superiority. Ogden and Lorimer stepped up a gear and totally neutralised the Driffield attack. Welman-Brown began to create panic in the opposition defence. The break through finally came after Welman-Brown crossed for McMillan to sweep the ball in. Rhydding totally dominated the final quarter. Till, McMillan and Cutter went close Hatton sealed a 2-0 victory.

Rhydding now progress to the North Finals at Belle Vue, Manchester, on Sunday, April 27. With the return of Dowley from injury hopes are high that they can qualify for the National finals for the third time in four years.

10:21am Thursday 27th March 2008

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