Ben Rhydding's young guns give leaders a battle

Despite the Arctic conditions, Ben Rhydding managed to play host to the North Premier League leaders on Saturday.

It was a high-quality game and Ben Rhydding came away wondering when their luck will change, once again they had a goal disallowed at a crucial turning point in the game.

Ben Rhydding played the better hockey in the first half but Brooklands put their corners away to take a 2-0 lead.

The visitors relied on a patient possession game and were secure in keeping the ball for lengthy periods. Only intelligent defending from Rhydding denied any final product.

Myles Locke was outstanding and dominated all of Rhydding’s activity in coming out from the back and taking control of much of the midfield action too.

Working in beautiful tandem with Connor Dowley, who had an excellent game, and the secure Joe Drakard, it was an impressive defensive display.

Neil Sugden was in a class of his own in midfield and the quiet quality of Rob Ramsden gave Brooklands cause for constant anxiety.

Rhydding came out hard in the second half and Matty Bairstow scorched through the Brooklands defence time and again.

Rhydding had the upper hand but fell foul of Brooklands' adept manipulation of the umpire who disallowed a Rhydding goal only to replace it with a corner in their favour.

This was an absolutely critical moment and would have seen the game turn. Rhydding went on to score again courtesy of Will Musgrave who was instrumental in so many of the flurry of circle denied Rhydding a goal from their well-executed corners and kept Brooklands alive in the face of a dozen circle entries.

The visitors continued to disrupt the rhythm of the play wherever possible and seized upon a lapse in concentration to get numbers ahead and seal Rhydding’s fate with a last gasp goal to win 3-1.

Rhydding must take the positives from this; they are getting better each week and this was undoubtedly their best performance to date. Having now played the top two teams twice, all their remaining games are winnable if they maintain this form.