Ben Rhydding 2 Wakefield 2

Ben Rhydding fought back from two goals down to earn a well-deserved Investec Conference North point in their first league game on Saturday.

New head coach Issy MacDonald was pleased to see her side start well and putting the Wakefield defence under pressure from the first whistle.

Forwards Jen Wilson and Laura Smith hunted the ball down forcing the visitors to give away possession.

After ten minutes Wakefield composed themselves and kept possession more effectively.

Despite some brave tackling at the back from their captain Rachelle Le Bourdon and Fran Holmes-Brown, the visitors went ahead from a penalty corner.

Wakefield added a second goal soony after from an early ball into the D which was deflected into the net.

Only some impressive goalkeeping from Dutch import Jo Carpay prevented further goals.

After a half-time pep talk Ben Rhydding looked more composed and threatening.

It was not long before they won their first penalty corner from some skilful dribbling into the D from Sarah Bell.

Rhydding continued the pressure.

Some hard work and creative play down the left from Eleanor Trafford and Jess Purvis resulted in two further penalty corners but the home side failed to convert their chances.

Player of the match Bell showed her mettle in the 47th minute, when she won the ball back, beat two defenders and delivered a sublime ball to Lauran Smith waiting at the top of the D to smash the ball past the keeper.

Wakefield were unable to clear the ball.

With ten minutes left forward Rachel Doherty won a loose 50/50 ball and drove into the D.

Doherty drew the keeper one way then slipped the ball the other way into an open net to equalise.