Late goal is cruel blow for Ben Rhydding

There was disappointment in the north east for Ben Rhydding on Saturday as a cruel late goal sent them back to Yorkshire empty handed in Women's Investec Conference North.

Last season, Whitley Bay had provided tough opposition, so Ben Rhydding were expecting a similar encounter.

However, Rhydding started slowly, allowing the home side the lion’s share of possession in the opening ten minutes.

Gradually the Ilkley side got themselves back into the game and used their inside forwards Sarah Bell and Jess Purvis to move the ball up the pitch.

New striker Laura Smith came close on a couple of occasions but fired the ball wide of the goal.

The home side overloaded their attack, forcing Rhydding to soak up lots of pressure in their half.

Ben Rhydding stalwarts Jodie Bridger, Fran Holmes-Brown and Rachelle Le Bourdon provided a stoic line of defence, though, and kept the home team at bay.

The game was quite untidy but fairly even, with both teams fighting for domination in midfield.

Halfway through the second half, Rhydding upped their game, their player of the match Eleanor Trafford making a number of driving runs up the right, wearing down the opposition’s left midfield.

The visitors looked dangerous on the break with their pacy forwards and created some real opportunities, although a goal continued to elude them.

The game looked certain to end in a draw, but in the last four minutes Rhydding were dealt a blow when Whitley Bay were awarded a penalty corner for a mistimed tackle just outside the D.

The home side converted the corner much to the disappointment of the Ilkley side.

Rhydding were not able to get an equaliser with such little time remaining.

They are at league newcomers Kendal on Saturday.