Oxton 1 Ben Rhydding 2

IMPROVING BEN Rhydding produce an excellent performance at Oxton to record their first win of the season.

Solid possession hockey gave them a confident start and beautiful passing by Robert Ramsden and Andrew Clemerson gave them the upper hand.

The visitors went close with young Matthew Ramshaw selflessly floating the ball past the committed keeper for the oncoming Andy Harkins, who always works so hard to get into good scoring positions.

However, another near miss left Rhydding wondering how to turn impressive possession into goals. To add insult to injury, Oxton seized upon the first mistake and took the lead.

Ben Rhydding continued to attack and on their second corner, Connor Dowley’s drag flick drew a miraculous save from the Oxton keeper which Will Musgrave seized upon.

He executed his trademark reverse which Andrew Lorimer appeared to deflect in.

Rhydding were confident that they had fitness on their side in the second half and came out in convincing style.

Nick Woodhead put in an excellent performance at half-back while Danny Foster, standing in for the injured Myles Locke, performed well in his changed role.

Connor Dowley and Joe Drakard were a fine double act at the back and ran a steady show.

Relentless running from Max Helme and Lorimer began to give Oxton all sorts of problems as they tired and once again, Rhydding went close with the increasingly impressive Harkins setting up Musgrave who just missed the target.

The goal came at last from superb midfield work by Ross McMillan before Max Helme drew an unsavoury challenge from an Oxton defender which won a corner.

The bravery of Lorimer enabled him to convert a glove save from the keeper into a rebound goal to crown an admirable team effort with a well-deserved win.