Chester 0 Ben Rhydding 5

BEN Rhydding went five points clear at the top of the North Men's Division One with an emphatic win over one of their title rivals.

The first half, played in driving rain, saw Chester launch a number of attacks but goalkeeper Will Rutter and the defence of Neil Sugden, Danny Foster, Connor Dowley and Ross McMillan kept them at bay.

The visitors had the lion’s share of the ball but allowed Chester to compete by being too slow and meticulous in the attacking third of the pitch.

Elliot Dowley eventually put his team ahead with a well-taken goal. His shot was clinically placed past the keeper.

Rhydding came out in the second half ready to attack the game and Connor Dowley underlined their intentions as he linked with Matty Bairstow whose thoughtful ball allowed Max Helme to execute a spectacular diving deflection that went into the roof of the net.

Rhydding stepped up the momentum with Helme putting a perfect ball into the circle which Bairstow selflessly touched on for Will Musgrave to fire over the keeper’s head.

Skipper Musgrave made it 4-0 with a stunning drag flick from a corner and completed his hat-trick to seal a convincing win.