Ben Rhydding 6 Gateshead 2

A SPARKLING performance saw Rhydding edge away from the bottom of the Premier League table.

They had the upper hand from the outset and spun the ball around the pitch with impressive intensity.

Neil Sugden, Rob Ramsden and Kieran Borrett were all catching the eye.

Keeper Will Rutter pulled off a stunning save and, though Gateshead took the lead, Callum Franks won a corner for Rhydding after a flowing move and Callum Harkins unleashed an unstoppable manoeuvre to level the scores.

Dazzling stick skills from Andy Clemerson, steady passing from Ross McMillan and sheer tenacity from Ramsden drew another corner. A breathtaking routine resulted in a textbook goal from Franks to make it 2-1.

Gateshead came out hard in the second half and Rhydding displayed excellent composure in defending.

This was well rewarded with an exciting goal on the counter-attack. Hard running from Matty Bairstow tore Gateshead apart and his final pass to Franks, who had run the length of the pitch to get on the overlap, was perfect.

Franks arrived with delightful timing and slotted home to make it 3-1.

A fourth goal quickly followed when Clemerson’s quick reactions spotted Borrett and he crossed for Ethan Hodson to score.

The fifth came when McMillan won the ball in midfield and set Will Musgrave away. The skipper slid a precise pass through for Hodson, who was denied, but Borrett was on hand to notch.

Gateshead replied with a second but Rhydding had the last word when Musgrave provided another great pass for Max Helme to score with a sliding deflection.

Rhydding face leaders Preston on Saturday.