City of York 1 Ben Rhydding 1

This was a frustrating and exasperating game for Ben Rhydding as they were held to a North Premier League draw.

York celebrated as if they had won and Rhydding hung their heads in despair as if they had lost at the finish.

With 29 circle entries going unrewarded for Ben Rhydding in the first half, York were hanging on by a thread.

Rhydding were getting beaten to the ball in front of goal and expected to get separation rather than working for it.

No corners were given despite their peppering of the D and Rhydding knew that patience was the key but frustration was to be their enemy.

An enthusiastic York crowd kept the home side going and they came out ready to do battle in the second half.

Rhydding had a dreadful start and York went close to scoring twice.

However, always good on the break, Rhydding turned this to their advantage as they coun- ered with real pace.

A quick ball out from Ali Jordan led to the Ben Rhydding goal.

Elliot Dowley eliminated three men with one pass to George Sweeting who knocked it inside to Kieran Borrett who slipped the ball to Steve Mitchell on the overlap for a simple goal. Five passes had created the opening.

York responded passionately and had a spell of frantic possession, hitting the crossbar at one point but Rhydding rode it out with some brave tackling from Andy Clemerson, Steve Mitchell and Ali Jordan.

The game was scrappy and ugly and Rhydding were unable to take control.

With just minutes to go, the umpire allowed a foul to go unchecked and York were in the D.

A goalmouth scramble resulted in a goal for York – an equaliser that did not reflect the balance of the game.

To compound matters, the umpire then sent Rhydding full back, Connor Dowley off for complaining.

Following this the official awarded York a controversial corner after a home player had tried to play the ball into the goal whilst on the ground with his leg.

It would have been a travesty if York had converted it but they put it wide.

An unsatisfactory perform- ance by Rhydding in the front half of the pitch left them watching a winnable game slip through their fingers.

They will have to sharpen up their act on Saturday when table-topping Doncaster make the trip of Ben Rhydding for a match with a 3pm start.