Wigton 1 Ben Rhydding Ladies 3

Having missed out narrowly on promotion to the National League in each of the past two seasons, Ben Rhydding were delighted to get their new North Premier League season off to a winning start.

The Ilkley side looked a little tired for the first 15 minutes of the game after the long journey north to Cumbria and found themselves a goal down from a quick breakaway goal by the Wigton centre forward.

This seemed to be the wake-up call Rhydding needed.

New acquisition Sophie Atkinson showed great composure at the back making a number of decisive tackles to turnover possession.

This seemed to spread throughout the defence and up the field as Rhydding gradually kept more possession and began to take control of the game.

Rachelle Le Bourdon and Jodie Bridger in the centre of midfield created quick attacks with some splendid distribution to the flanks, exposing the spaces Wigton were leaving high up the pitch.

Former Great Britain player Jo Ellis was quick to jump on these opportunities and with her devastating stick skills she won a string of penalty corners.

Despite the increasing attacks from Ben Rhydding, Wigton held strong and managed to make it to half time still 1-0 up.

Coach James Ross gave a calm but direct half-time talk and the team refocused for the second half.

Within five minutes of the restart pacy forward Kate Hesketh won a penalty corner which was converted by a strong strike from the top left of the D by midfielder Jess Purvis to bring the visitors level.

A second goal soon followed as Eleanor Trafford started a move down the left by beating two opponents before slipping the ball into the middle where Purvis was waiting to pick it up.

She dribbled into the D and round two defenders as she created enough space to move her feet round and deftly slip the ball past the approaching keeper.

Wigton tried to stage a fightback and forced the Rhydding keeper Holly Crank to pull off a couple of great saves.

However the visitors were full of confidence and their superior fitness showed as they continued to pour on the pressure, moving the ball quickly into space up the pitch.

The Wigton defence couldn’t keep up and Rhydding added a third goal five minutes from time when Rachel Doherty deflected an Ellis cross past the keeper.

Ben Rhydding are home to their Yorkshire rivals Harrogate on Saturday