Ben Rhydding 2 Brooklands 2nds 4

BEN Rhydding continue to play great hockey but have been unable to get North Men's League Premier Division points on the table.

On a brand new and very bouncy pitch at Brooklands, Ben Rhydding looked by far the better side for much of the game, despite both teams chasing their first touch and trying to manage the flow of the ball.

Rhydding converted a corner courtesy of Will Musgrave who only took a minute to make it 2-0 with a well-taken goal from a difficult angle as the Brooklands keeper come charging out.

Brooklands got back in the game with a convincing corner routine but still looked uncomfortable with Rhydding’s much faster game.

Chris McSherry had an outstanding day in goal for Ben Rhydding, saving a penalty stroke to keep them ahead and making several impressive saves.

Brooklands were awarded another penalty stroke for an alleged ‘back stick’ in the circle and this time, despite coming agonisingly close to saving it, it slipped past McSherry.

With many stoppages, the flow that Rhydding thrive on was denied them and Brooklands were able to slow the game down. They scored twice to put the game to bed and knew they had robbed Rhydding.

The defensive unit of Danny Foster, Giles Flatt, Neil Sugden and Lewis Wild served Ben Rhydding well and Struan Connor, who was highly influential after his long lay off and linked well in the middle with Rob Ramsden.

Rhydding take on Whitley Bay at home on Saturday (3pm).