Sugden stays cool to seal priceless league victory (From Ilkley Gazette)

Sugden stays cool to seal priceless league victory

8:22am Thursday 15th March 2012 in Ben Rhydding

York 1 Ben Rhydding 2

Ben Rhydding won one of the most crucial matches they will ever face and boosted their chances of avoiding relegation from the Men's North Premier League.

Both teams were desperate for a victory and were fired up for the clash.

The match was deadlocked for the entire first half as Rhydding hit the crossbar and the post and began to wonder how they were ever going to be rewarded. York also defended relentlessly and ruthlessly.

Rhydding had their share of courageous moments in defence too as York were always dangerous on the break.

Early in the second half, Rhydding went ahead when Connor Dowley slotted a beautiful drag flick into the net.

Rhydding worked so hard to extend their lead. Andrew Parkes and Joe Dowley jinked and weaved, Teto Jutley kept the game flowing and David McNally stitched up the inside channel.

Alex White showed huge bravery in his challenges and Neil Sugden dominated the middle.

It was like a stab to the heart when York equalised against the run of play. Rhydding then held on and could only pray for justice when York scored an illegal goal which thankfully, the umpire disallowed.

Never was there a more tense final quarter to a match as these two sides, thrashed it out.

The defence of Exley, Mitchell, Bush and Dowley were magnificent and Danny Foster tried repeatedly to stretch the game.

It was Dowley, breaking through from the back who won a corner and in executing it was badly fouled, forcing a penalty stroke with just seconds on the clock.

Neil Sugden seared in a stroke with icy nerves and the game was won but ssafety has still not been secured.