Ben Rhydding go second as Jo Ellis strikes twice

BEN Rhydding Ladies welcomed Manchester side Brooklands Poynton to Countances Way. After a stalemate 0-0 draw in their previous meeting, both sides were eager to come out on top this time, especially with only two points separating the second and third place sides. In the Investec Women’s Conference North.

In the opening half, both teams proved why they had the fewest goals put past them with their tight defensive units.

Nerves, or perhaps too much adrenaline, got the better of Laura Smith, who after receiving the ball from Jo Ellis, fired a powerful shot into the side netting.

Charlotte Smith, who has been collecting ‘Player of the Match’ titles for fun this season, pulled out some incredible saves yet again.

After a rapid counter attack from Brooklands, the Rhydding keeper was left with a two on one in the D, but pushed the ball to safety with a spectacular diving stick save.

In the second half, Ben Rhydding put some of their best hockey of the season on show for the home crowd, starting with a brilliant team goal to get them off the mark.

Rosie Atkinson won the ball at right half, and took it round three of her opponents before offloading to Jodie Bridger in the middle of the park. Jodie Bridger feigned right, but slipped the ball left to Sarah Bell who was supporting around the outside.

Bell drew two Brooklands defenders to the top of the circle, and took her opportunity to slip the ball to a waiting Smith, who redeemed herself in style. Taking one touch to get the ball out of her feet, Smith then sent the ball rocketing past the keeper’s outstretched left leg.

Brooklands never really looked like scoring in reply, and any glimmer of hope for a comeback was shut out by two late but spectacular goals from Ellis.

The first was another well-worked, team effort. Jess Purvis pairing up with Sarah Whitehead down the right, finding Rachel Doherty in the corner and then onto Ellis at the top of the circle.

Ellis flicked the ball over her opponent’s flat stick, took it to her left and dispatched a reverse hit perfectly into the bottom right corner.

Just sixty seconds later, Ben Rhydding struck gold once more, again through Ellis with a hit on the volley as the ball bobbled enticingly around the penalty spot area. Elated, the Yorkshire side celebrated in a huddle as the final whistle sounded.

After winning their last four matches, and adding yet another three points to their total, Ben Rhydding have now climbed to second place. The last game of the season takes them away to Derbyshire side Belper Ladies.