Battling Ben Rhydding sunk by a late goal

They were defeated by a goal scored 20 seconds from time in a pulsating match.

After their 7-2 North League win at Nelson Pendle Forest on Saturday, Ben Rhydding played with plenty of confidence and bags of spirit.

It was going to be a tough test but Ben Rhydding had nothing to lose and the pressure was firmly on Bowdon Hightown, The Ilkley side had to up their game and they did exactly that.

Ben Rhydding started positively from the whistle and passed the ball quickly and skilfully round the Bowdon Hightown players and progressing up the pitch into the ‘D’ before winning a penalty corner in the fourth minute.

Unfortunately they couldn’t convert the opportunity into a goal.

Bowdon gained back possession and for the next ten minutes had ben Rhydding under pressure.

Some fantastic defensive work from Rachelle Le Bourdon, and superb goalkeeping from Sophie Ross, kept the score line all square at 0-0.

Just before half time Bowdon Hightown opened their account, a solid strike from England’s Lindsay French made it 1-0.

Rhydding kept fighting in the second half and did a great job matching the opposition, not only on skill but also on pace.

Rhydding’s midfield of Rachelle le Bourdon, Rebecca Dallas and Jodie Bridger were outstanding, giving Bowdon’s coach a lot to worry about.

Some tricky skills from forward Kate Hesketh at times were too good for the team from Manchester and their central defender was left scratching her head on more than one occasion.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, against the run of play, Bowdon Hightown scored their second goal from another penalty corner strike.

The large crowd really got behind the Ilkley side, and five minutes later a galvanized Dallas picked up the ball in the D and struck a fantastic reverse stick shot.

The ball flew into the back of the net like a bullet, leaving Bowdon’s International keeper rooted to the spot.

Rhydding continued to pile on the pressure and some very unselfish running from forward Vicky Winters created another penalty corner for the home team.

Dallas stepped up to take another strike which the keeper was ready for this time, however the deflection came straight back out to her and she quickly turned and struck another reverse stick shot into the far corner past the out stretched keeper.

It was 2-2 and the crowd went wild. With only five minutes to go and the Hightown players looking extremely worried, it looked as if Rhydding had forced the game into extra time.

But Bowdon Hightown had other ideas, they surged forward with determination, desperate to get the winner and avoid a massive Cup upset.

In the last 20 seconds of the game Rhydding hearts were broken when a Bowdon midfielder found some space in the D and scored with a sublime strike from an almost impossible angle.

The final whistle blew and although the Rhydding players were disappointed, they walked off the pitch with their heads held high having proved they are more than ready to compete at the next level.