MEN’S NORTH LEAGUE: Ben Rhydding 8 Preston 2nds 0

BEN Rhydding strengthened their hold on top spot in North Men’s League Division One with an emphatic home win.

They swept their opponents aside with a magnificent display of stunning hockey which reflected their growing maturity as a team.

Rhydding opened the scoring with a clinical corner from Will Musgrave and followed up with a counter-attack goal of the highest quality.

Quick-thinking Connor Dowley hit a great ball through to Mark Portnell, who found the fast-arriving Musgrave.He sent a perfect pass into space and Struan Connor slid the ball past the Preston keeper.

The lead was extended when Elliot Dowley won the ball in midfield and linked with Connor, who set up Musgrave for a tap-in at the far post.

Connor Dowley made it 4-0 after Matty Ramshaw’s accurate pass gave him the chance to beat the keeper.

Danny Foster made good interceptions throughout and looked composed with Neil Sugden at the back. It was Foster who initiated the fifth goal, intercepting and delivering the ball to Ramshaw, who created an opening for Musgrave to fire in a shot which Connor Dowley deflected into the net.

Another Foster interception led to goal number six. Matty Bairstow threaded a lovely pass through to Connor Dowley, who delivered a stunning shot into the top corner for his hat-trick.

The final two goals were both scored by Ramshaw. The first came after a strong carry by Musgrave and a pass by Elliot Dowley, while the second was an easy tap-in after good work by Bairstow.

The seventh was a great goal; Musgrave carrying strongly and offloading to Elliot Dowley, who slotted to the far post for Ramshaw to slide in and deflect. Finally, Bairstow set up Ramshaw for an easy tap-in as the home side completed a sparkling performance with conviction.