Ben Rhydding hit City of Manchester for six

BEN Rhydding found themselves frustrated by their opponents’ zonal press for much of the first half before taking command and registering their third North Men’s League One win.

Talented youngsters Matty Ramshaw and Elliot Dowley played a mature game in midfield but Rhydding struggled to get them on the ball in the early stages and missed their creativity going forwards.

It took until just before half-time for Ben Rhydding to make a breakthrough. Mark Portnell scored a timely goal from a penalty.

Rhydding’s fitness began to punish the visitors in the second half; smooth passages of possession and influential movement off the ball began to open Manchester up.

Matty Bairstow popped in a well-taken goal which was followed by a cheeky steal by Ramshaw when he touched home a Will Musgrave shot.

Rhydding danced and jinked around some ragged defending but a penalty stroke was awarded soon after. Musgrave executed effortlessly and the game looked to be over.

However, when both teams stopped after a foot in the circle the umpire did not react. Two players continued playing and to their delight, no whistle was blown, so they continued down the field. Rhydding’s keeper Will Rutter and Danny Foster did their best to deal with it but could do nothing against this unpredictable break and Manchester scored to make it 4-1.

Rhydding promptly replied with a well-taken individual goal from Musgrave to take the lead, but Manchester were still fighting and put away a corner to get it back to 5-2.

Talha Nazar was delighted to nick a final Musgrave goal with a touch on the goal line and the score finished at 6-2 to Ben Rhydding. This was a solid performance against a difficult team, that Rhydding tackled with dignity and discipline.