BROOKLANDS Poynton Ladies remain top of the Conference West League after a 2-0 win against third-placed Ben Rhydding.

Ben Rhydding started strongly with the teams feeling each other out in the first 10 minutes.

While Brooklands had most of the ball the opponents were looking dangerous on the break with former Great Britain international Jo Ellis providing the main threat.

Having been frustrated in the first half, Brooklands started strongly in the second period with some aggressive pressing, looking to win the ball high up the pitch.

After great individual skills by Ellen Lockhart on the baseline, Tilly Dyos-Szolkowska, returning to the side, was able to squeeze the ball over the line for the all-important breakthrough.

Having secured the advantage, Brooklands continued to control the majority of possession but had a scare when Ben Rhydding engineered a pass to their centre forward who was clean through one-on-one with Maud Lelkens – the Brooklands goalkeeper who has conceded only six goals this season.

The Dutch keeper showed her qualities again by smothering the ball and averting the danger.

Having survived the scare, Brooklands started to carve out chances and it was a piece of opportunistic skill which led to the second goal.

Again Lockhart found herself in the opposition D and, pulling the ball down from above her head, powered a strike past the right foot of the Rhydding goalkeeper.

Brooklands travel to Beeston, their nearest challengers this weekend, knowing they only need a draw to seal the title.