Timperley 3 Ben Rhydding 3
Ben Rhydding produced their best performance of the season to hold the North Premier Men's League leaders to a draw in a thrilling match.

They played at a tempo not previously seen this season and the influence of Callum Connor at right half was remarkable.

Timperley were not expecting the resistance they faced from Ben Rhydding and their Polish international drag flicker went home frustrated after an astonishing performance from David Carter in goal denied him his usual tally from corners.

Added to this the impressive bravery of Neil Sugden, Connor, Andy Clemerson and Connor Dowley in totally focused corner defence meant that Timperley were repeatedly thwarted.

Composed build up play from the back saw Will Musgrave and Kieran Borrett catch the eye while Callum Franks played intelligently and provided George Sweeting with a great service.

Alex White put his heart and soul into the game and was unlucky not to score from a well-timed slide into the circle as the competition began to heat up.

Timperley replied with a push for corners but Carter and his defence mopped everything up.

Connor sustained a split eyebrow blocking a reverse shot and reluctantly had to leave the field for treatment. It was at this key moment that Timperley seized their chance and slotted a corner where Connor would have been on the post.

Having kept the previous seven out, it was inevitable that one would eventually slip through.

The second half began in lively fashion and the whole Rhydding team worked tirelessly to get behind the ball and combined together to build the play.

It was a classic Musgrave ball into the circle that drew the equaliser; Sweeting arrived with a well-timed lead to get the perfect touch to deflect the ball past the keeper.

Timperley’s discipline was shaky and it is credit to the umpires that the game was controlled without cards until the last ten minutes.

Down to nine men and with their big Polish star sitting down, Timperley were now vulnerable.

However the Polish giant fizzed a corner into the net on his return.

Rhydding’s reply was imme- diate and clinical. Another sublime ball into the circle from Musgrave was met by a full length slide by Connor, playing with a blood-soaked head bandage, and the game was back on.

Rhydding took the lead minutes later when Andy Clemerson scored after a well-rehearsed corner variation.

The dying minutes of the contest were frantic and Rhydding had three men sent off.

Despite the remaining players trying to keep the ball safe, a defender edged the ball out of Carter’s reach to make it 3-3.

A draw was an unexpected result and Rhydding could be proud of their performance.