Ben Rhydding 1 Harborne 2

The final nail was hammered into Ben Rhydding’s Men’s National North Conference relegation coffin as they sunk to another home defeat.

In truth the Ilkley side have not been able to cope with the huge step up from the Northern Premier League and, although they have competed manfully, it was always going to be a big ask to achieve survival.

This was really their last chance against a team who have also struggled, but have the experience of a few seasons at this national level behind them.

Only the brilliance of Ben Rhydding keeper Dave Carter stood between them and an even bigger defeat.

Rhydding went one down from a short corner but pulled an equaliser back when Luke Lambert positioned himself to widen the goal and deflected the ball round the Harborne keeper.

It was a simple goal and a tactic Rhydding have practised so much in training but sadly have not repeated it in matches.

Harborne had short corner after short corner, 13 in all and, deservedly, got their winner from one of them.

Coach, Demi Dowley, upset at the season’s outcome, should be proud of what she has achieved with a very young squad over two or three years.

Rhydding still have three league matches left and, although they will only be playing for pride, the coach, Dowley, and manager, Mark French, know that this group of players will continue to give their all.