Ben Rhydding 2 Wilmslow 1

BEN Rhydding showed grit and character to take three North Mens League Division One points in a testing battle.

Skipper Rob Ramsden sustained a cracked tooth in the warm-up but used his mouthguard to keep his teeth in place and played on. Rhydding fell into the trap of playing at Wilmslow’s slow pace for most of the first half and struggled to drag themselves out of this sluggish mode.

Wilmslow took the lead, finding a free man in the circle to pop in an easy goal while Rhydding looked limp and lack lustre.

The turning point came when a shocking and horrific challenge on Matty Bairstow stopped the game and Rhydding were able to muster some fire to come out and start to play their own game. They scored straight away to level, Andrew Lorimer grappling in the goalmouth to nick a goal.

Rhydding stepped up and should have scored on several occasions given relentless service from Matty Birch, a high number of corners and even a penalty stroke which Will Musgrave uncharacteristically missed.

Max Helme had an outstanding game both as a player and a leader as he pulled the team back into contention.

It was Birch that claimed the winner from an impressive corner and Rhydding were able to breathe at last.

Rhydding now face a top-of-the-table clash with Lindum on Saturday.