Ben Rhydding 5 Wakefield 6

BEN Rhydding were forced to switch their North Men's Premier Division derby clash to Bradford Grammar School and it proved to be the stage for dramatic goal fest.

The two sides drew 5-5 earlier in the season so it was no real surprise when the goals flowed again.

George Gamble set the tone for the afternoon when he forced the first goal within 40 seconds after good work by Matty Bairstow and Max Helme. Wakefield replied with a corner to level after 12 minute, but Rhydding came back with a great through ball from Will Musgrave to Phil McMorris who slotted home.

Wakefield pulled the scores back level with a scrappy goalmouth affair that ended with a loosely marked player getting a touch to score.

Rhydding made it 3-2 with a composed touch from Rob Ramsden.

Quickly, Wakefield brought it back to 3-3 with a fluid break away. Wakefield took the lead for the first time in the game with another break away which left the goalkeeper stranded.

Rhydding levelled just before half-time with a wonder goal from Will Tench, screeching into the top corner from his reverse.

The second half was just as tight. Bairstow, through on goal was shoved off the ball but the offence went unpunished.

The counter attack caught Rhydding aghast and Wakefield scored with a matter of four passes, giving them a 5-4 lead.

Robert Ramsden’s immaculate ball retention under pressure drew a penalty stroke which Musgrave beautifully slotted to get Rhydding back to 5-5.

Tension grew as both sides tried to find the way to clinch the winner. A flurry of suspensions for Ben Rhydding in the last ten minutes of the game cost them the potential victory that was within their grasp.

A turn over from dribbling in midfield gave Wakefield the chance to make the most of their overload and they popped in an easy goal to take the win.