Ben Rhydding 1 Whitley Bay 1

A last-minute goal ended Ben Rhydding’s hopes of securing their second Investec Women's Conference North win of the season in their final game before the festive break.

After the euphoric end to the previous match against Wake- field, the first five minutes saw a bright and confident Ben Rhydding pressing the visitors well into their own half.

Rachel Doherty displayed a courageous low left hand enabling Rhydding to win the ball back quickly and effect- ively.

When Whitley Bay attacked, calm channelling from Helen Fisher allowed Tanisha Janzen to make a superb tackle and ward off any threat.

A wayward pass in Rhydd- ing’s own half led to keeper Charlotte Smith having to deal with a tricky one on one.

A short corner was awarded but was expertly saved by Smith.

A precise pass from Jess Purvis gave Sarah Bell a clear run into Whitley Bay’s D but her fierce shot was saved.

Gutsy runs and fantastic team link up play gave Ben Rhydding a short corner. Doherty dragged out perfectly to Rachelle LeBourdon who connected beautifully with the ball, sending it rocketing into the goal.

The pressure turned onto Rhddying who defended a barrage of short corners and needed two stick saves off the goalline by Janzen and Smith to preserve their lead.

The tempo was increased by Rhydding for a solid five minutes before the break. The second half resumed at a fast pace, with Rhydding putting Whitley Bay on the back foot with a disciplined press.

Link up play between Jodie Bridger and Eleanor Trafford won Rhydding the ball and a pass was whistled in to the D going inches wide of the post and Jo Taylor’s outstretched stick.

A bouncy Kate Hesketh arrived in the D and fired a first-time reverse at the keeper who palmed it wide.

A short corner for Whitley Bay meant Rhydding were forced to save not one, but three attempts at goal in quick succession.

A breakaway run from Hesk- eth gave her a short corner, but to no avail.

Ben Rhydding maintained their application of pressure which saw both Jen Wilson and Rebecca Dallas denied by the keeper.

With one minute remaining, Whitley Bay crashed a ball in to Ben Rhydding’s D which cruelly bounced off the post and back in to play.

A Whitley Bay striker was in the right place at the right time and slotted the ball into the net. Seconds later the full time whistle blew.

It was a bitter end to the last game before the Christmas break for Ben Rhydding, but that does not outweigh the positives from the ladies performance, who displayed determination, grit and drive.

The match marked the farewell of goalkeeper Jo Carpay.