Ben Rhydding 6 Preston 2nds 2

With Will Musgrave scoring with a spectacular reverse stick shot across the bewildered face of the Preston keeper into the top corner in the opening seconds of this game, Rhydding were off to the perfect start in their North Men's League Division One .

However, Preston settled and Rhydding had to work out how to deal with their playmaker.Neil Sugden worked hard to spoil any possession in the midfield. Nick Bull gave an excellent account of himself in goal and shrugged off a series of Preston corners.

The power of Musgrave’s reverse stick popped up again to offer an inch-perfect cross to Callum Franks on the post who made it 2-0.Preston’s key player moved away from the impenetrable Sugden and caused some significant hassle for ten minutes, walking into the D unannounced and waltzing around defenders to slot the ball into the net.

With the score at 2-1 going into the break, Rhydding were given some tactical changes by coaches, Demy Dowley and Jono McMillan and came back out looking confident. Danny Foster, ever brave, threw himself at a rocket of a ball into the D from the formidable Cassidy and was justly rewarded with a deflection into the net to put Rhydding 3-1 up.

Preston’s playmaker began to cause trouble once again, coming from a different angle and Ben Rhydding were outwitted as the visitors scored again. This was a momentary lapse and the home side now began to play beautiful possession hockey, moving the ball from stick to stick in lengthy, patient passages of play.

One such move ended in the next goal as Josh Sykes dropped a cheeky back pass to Borrett who swept to Sweeting in stride who selflessly offered to Musgrave on his favoured reverse side and the score was 4-2.

Musgrave completed his hat-trick with another clinically executed reverse shot past the head of the Preston keeper. Rhydding now looked very dangerous and once again, superior fitness was crucial in the final stages of the game.

With the full backs playing high, Dave Exley and Joe Dowley were notable forces in the last part of the game and the forwards continued to run hard. Sykes bagged the last goal, converting a reverse stick cross in from Borrett.