Ben Rhydding 4 Didsbury 2

Whilst Rhydding won and go two points clear at the top of the North Division One, but they will reflect on what was a rather shaky performance in patches, saved by flashes of brilliance.

The home side looked to be immediately in control with several circle entries and a penalty corner which was blocked.

Rhydding counter-attacked successfully and the deadly Will Musgrave introduced the Didsbury keeper to his signature move – the reverse stick shot into the top corner.

The Rhydding defence became complacent and sloppy and were put on the back foot when Didsbury dispatched a stunning corner routine to level the scores.

Musgrave once again, took matters into his own hands and drove through to go one on one with the keeper, stepping inside and taking his shot on the forehand to put his side ahead.

Rhydding had to mop up a spell of heavy pressure brought on by unforced errors.

Connor Dowley made a courageous save off the line and spirits were lifted again.

Rhydding looked to have re-gained their composure and came close to scoring on several occasions.

George Sweeting, Connor Franks and Josh Sykes all went close.

In the second half Didsbury came out hard and Alex White bravely ran down a searing corner attempt to avert an equaliser.

Rhydding now had a purple patch.

A superb passage of play ended with Sykes selflessly slipping the ball under his arm to the deadly Musgrave for his hat-trick.

The master, Neil Sugden put the fourth away, having drifted in to the D on the overlap and smashed it into the roof of the net.

It was just as well that he did as several moments of insanity at the back cul minated in Dowley running the ball out and turning it over as Didsbury snatched their second goal..