LEAGUE SEASON 2001 - 02

FAC = F.A. Cup, FAT = F.A.Trophy, MPC = Manchester Premier Cup, CSC = Cheshire Senior Cup, ULC = Unibond League Cup,  UPC = Unibond Presidents Cup, UNI =Unibond League, qr = Qualifying Round,  gs = Group Stage, qf =Quarter Final sf =Semi Final  

08-12-01 GATESHEAD 4 HYDE UNITED 1 UNI Att. 265
A dismal day on Tyneside as Gateshead put their money troubles behind them to record a convincing victory over the sluggish Tigers. Hyde were without Matthew Taylor, Martin Filson and Simon Yeo through injury, but that was no excuse for an ineffectual performance which now leaves them in deep trouble at the foot of the table. Dale Hawtin and John Foster returned to the defence whilst Bemjamin Obong and Steve Foster returned up-front. Gareth Liddle dropped to the bench. 
The Tigers had not settled by the time Gateshead took the lead on seven minutes through Preen. It could have been worse as they had already hit the bar when it looked easier to score. it got worse five minutes later as skipper Steve Agnew hammered a free-kick direct into the net which left questions over the wall's and keeper's positions. 
For the rest of the half, Hyde had most of the play but had no bite in the last quarter and seemed reluctant to shoot. Gateshead's keeper, Swan looked edgy but there was never enough pressure to test him. Hyde needed an early goal in the second half to get back into the game but contrived to concede another within a minute of the restart. Richard Acton made a brilliant save but Morrell was on hand to knock the ball in the net. More pretty football from the Tigers but no punch or commitment where it mattered and it was no surprise when Preen added a fourth with five minutes left. The persistent Obong pulled one back at the final whistle after the keeper had failed to hold a Chris Young shot. 
Overall a very disappointing performance in a game we would have expected to get something from with all the troubles surrounding Gateshead's future existance. Malcolm McDonald was in the stand to show his support. How much the Tiger's needed someone like him up-front. Perhaps even now! A familiar story of many games this season, conceding early goals and then be chasing the game with not enough fire-power up front. 


Hyde - Acton 6, J.Foster 7, Hawtin 5, Critchley 7, Ashwell 5, Band 5, Young 7, Obong 8, Matthews 5, S.Foster 5, Nolan 5. 
Subs Rowe 5, Liddle and Salmon not used. 

Gateshead - Swan, Bowman, Talbot, Sunley, Jones, Agnew, Morell, Thompson, Preen, Mc.Alindon, Anderson. 
Subs Bowey, Painter and Kitchen 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



01-12-01 HYDE UNITED 0 ILKESTON TOWN 4 FAT 2 Att. 355
The Robins of Ilkeston barely got out of first gear as they strolled to victory at Ewen Fields. The early period of the game saw both sides go close, Glen Kirkwood went close for the visitors on 4 minutes as his close range shot was deflected over the top following James Whitehead's left sided free kick. On ten minutes a long free kick from Hyde led to Andy Love making a great save to deny Gareth Rowe. Ilkeston took the lead in the 22nd minute when a mix up between defender Martin Filson and goalkeeper Richard Acton gave Lennon Abbott an easy chance from six yards which he gleefully took. Ilkeston had a goal ruled out on 68 minutes when the referee gave Acton the benefit of the doubt as he dropped the ball under challenge. The result was put beyond doubt on 72 minutes when Hyde defender Paul Ashwell allowed David Holmes to break clear and place the ball past Acton. Hyde had a chance to get one back five minutes later as a Gavin Salmon shot was blocked and Filson headed over from the resulting corner. With ten minutes left a cross from the right was sent goalward by Kirkwood, Acton saved well but former FA Trophy winner Tony Hemmings was on hand to knock home the rebound. Ilkeston wrapped things up deep into injury time when Carl Wrights effort was saved by Acton but again the rebound fell to a visiting player, David Holmes grabbing his second of the game.

Hyde: Richard Acton 6, Gareth Liddle 6, Matty Taylor 6, Neil Critchley 5, Paul Ashwell 5, Peter Band 6, Chris Young 4, Gareth Rowe 5, Lee Matthews 5, Martin Filson 6, David Nolan 5. Subs: Dale Hawtin, Stephen Lyons, John Foster 5 for Young, Joshua Howard 5 for Liddle, Gavin Salmon 5 for Matthews.

Ilkeston: Andy Love, James Whitehead, Lenny Curtis, Gregg Pearce, Matt McKenzie, John Knapper, Ian Robinson, Tony Hemmings, Glen Kirkwood, David Holmes, Lennon Abbott. Subs: Gary Middleton, Chris Timons, Carl Wright, James Rowe, Stuart Ford.

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



27-11-01 ASHTON UNITED 6 HYDE UNITED 3 ULC gs Att. 
The Tigers fielded a side mainly of reserves for this League cup tie and paid the price. It was a good start for Hyde though as they took the lead on 4 minutes when Benjamin Obong rounded Ashton goalkeeper Matthew Merson and slid home following a Lee Matthews flick on. It was all level on 12 minutes when a poor clearance found Gareth Morris who simply strolled through the penalty area and beat Stephen Lyons easily. Two minutes later and Ashton were in front, Chris Cornelly fed the ball in from the left and Lee Blackshaw was unopposed as he steered the ball home at the near post. A minute later a free kick for Hyde found Obong who rattled the angle of post and bar from close range. It was all square again on 18 minutes when a 25 yard effort from Josh Howard took a wicked bounce to deceive Merson and fly into the goal. A minute later and Ashton were back in the lead, Cornelly crossing and Blackshaw scoring in a copy of the second goal. What an opening twenty minutes!!!! The rest of the half didn't live up to that, Hyde having two more efforts through Gavin Salmon his first clearing the crossbar from 20 yards whilst his second was saved by the legs of Merson after the striker had spun his defender. And then the fun started again! Thirty seconds after the break Ashton went 4-2 ahead, more poor defending allowed Peter Carty to set up Phil Denney to score from close range. A minute after that and the game was over, Chris Cornelly crossed from the left and Paul Ashwell volleyed into the corner of his own goal. On the hour it was six, Lee Blackshaw broke away from the Hyde defence and cooly placed the ball past Lyons for his hat-trick. Three minutes from time a great run from Matty Taylor led to Chris Young setting up Gareth Rowe for his first goal for the Tigers but that was only to make the scoreline a little more respectable. A very strange game with 90% of all shots going in.

Hyde: Stephen Lyons 6, Dale Hawtin 5, Matty Taylor 6, Josh Howard 6, Paul Ashwell 6, Peter Band 6, Chris Young 5, Benjamin Obong 6, Lee Matthews 5, Gareth Liddle 5, Gavin Salmon 6. Subs: John Foster 6 for Salmon, Steve Foster 6 for Obong, Gareth Rowe 6 for Matthews.

Ashton: Matthew Merson, Duncan Robertshaw, Peter Carty, Gareth Morris, James Riordan, Darren Royle, Andy MacDonald, Lee Blackshaw, Phil Denney, Lee Calvert, Chris Cornelly. Subs: Haslam, Mick Carmody, Guy

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



24-11-01 BISHOP AUCKLAND 0 HYDE UNITED 2 UNIBOND Att. 
The battling Tigers produced another gritty and determined performance to come away from Bishop Auckland with three points. They couldn't have got off to a better start as they took the lead in the third minute, David Nolan and Peter Band combined and the captains ball was perfect for transfer listed Simon Yeo to rifle past David Campbell in the Bishop's goal. The Durham side came straight back at Hyde and were unlucky on 11 mins when Stephen Bell drilled in a 20 yard shot that was well saved by Richard Acton at full stretch. Acton again saved well on 19 minutes, this time a cross from Andrew Shaw found Danny Brunskill at the far post but Acton got down well to parry his diving header round the post. Again the home side came at Hyde and looked to be on level terms on 28 minutes when a corner was headed goalwards by Sam Kitchen but Acton plucked the ball out of the top corner to deny the centre back. Hyde suffered a setback on 38 minutes as Simon Yeo chased a throughball, Bishops keeper Campbell beat him to the ball but caught the striker in the stomach with his knee and Yeo was stretchered off with suspected broken ribs. Just after the break Hyde had the perfect chance to extend their lead as they broke 3 on 2 against the Bishops back line but Peter Band failed to release the ball to Steve Foster or Lee Matthews who were both in good positions and the captain was tackled. On 57 minutes Hyde had to do some more defending, a corner was swung in from the right and then followed 40 seconds of pinball before the Tigers eventually cleared. Danny Brunskill then went close with two efforts for the home side, firstly sending a 20 yard shot just past the post and soon afterwards he shot straight at Acton from a good position. Amazingly Hyde went 2-0 ahead on 73 minutes, Chris Young played a short free kick to Neil Critchley who promptly gave it him straight back, Young then curled the ball from the angle of the penalty area on the left straight round Campbell's desparing dive and into the far top corner of the goal, a stunning finish. Seconds later only an amazing save from Acton kept the two goal cushion intact. On 77 minutes Andrew Shaw pulled the trigger on another shot and again Acton got down well to parry away from goal. It could have been three on 85 minutes as Hyde broke down the left with Critchley who pulled the ball back for Peter Band by Campbell made a good save at his near post. That was Campbell's last action of the game as he was caught by Gavin Salmon chasing down a backpass and he was strechered off amid scenes of chaos as the Bishops physio berated the referee and he was soon joined by their manager Tony Lee who demanded that Salmon was sent off. The referee was sensible though, there was no malice in the challange he was just trying to win the ball and was entitled to attempt to play it, and Salmon stayed on. In the 7th minute of injury time Anthony Lee fired in a free kick but Acton again made a save and Hyde kept there second consecutive clean sheet.

Hyde: Richard Acton 9, Gareth Liddle 7, Matty Taylor 7, Neil Critchley 7, Paul Ashwell 8, Peter Band 8, Chris Young 7, Lee Matthews 7, Simon Yeo 7, Martin Filson 8, David Nolan 8. Subs: John Foster 7 for Young, Steve Foster 8 for Yeo, Gavin Salmon 7 for Matthews.

Bishops: David Campbell, James Middleton, Anthony Lee, Carl Chillingsworth, Mark Salmon, Sam Kitchen, Stephen Bell, Stephen Salvin, Andrew Shaw, Danny Brunskill, Kevin Bromley. Subs: John Lydon, Brian Rowe, Martin Hall.

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



16-11-01 HYDE UNITED 0 FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 0 UNIBOND Att. 307
The Tigers made it into double figures for league points although it was largely a game to forget. Hyde could have gone ahead in the fourth minute as Simon Yeo got down the left and crossed but Benjamin Obong shot wide from close range when he should have done better. Frickley forced a number of corners in the next twenty minutes but none caused the Hyde defence any problems as the game became slow and boring. Hyde again had a chance on 32 minutes when a cross from Ashwell was flicked on at the near post by the heel of Yeo but Obong again shot wide as he stretched for the ball at the far post. Frickley had their best chance of the game a few moments before the break as Pete Myers raced down the left before forcing Richard Acton into a good one handed save. The early stages of the second half were played in the middle of the field with neither side looking as though they would score but Hyde again went close on 77 minutes when a long ball by Young found Yeo but the striker couldn't hit the target on his unfavoured right foot. Three minutes later Paul Ashwell's burst forward gave Obong a chance as he cut inside but his shot was straight at Kearney in the Frickley goal. The best chance for Hyde came on 85 minuteswhen Simon Yeo headed Neil Critchley's corner goalwards but his effort was kicked off the line.

Hyde: Richard Acton 6, Gareth Liddle 5, Matty Taylor 6, Neil Critchley 6, Paul Ashwell 6, Peter Band 6, Chris Young 6, Benjamin Obong 5, Simon Yeo 6, Martin Filson 6, David Nolan 6. Subs: Martin Doherty 7 for Nolan, Lee Matthews, Dale Hawtin 6 for Doherty.

Frickley: Martin Kearney, Simon Collins, Chris Gowen, Rob Hanby, Jonathan Wordsworth, Dean Jones, Graham Lewis, Steve Price, Andy Evans, Carl Fothergill, Peter Myers. Subs: Gary Duffty, Scott Collins, Mark Ogley

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



10-11-01 WORKSOP TOWN 3 HYDE UNITED 2 UNIBOND Att. 289 
It may be a familar cliche but this was definately a game of two halves. Normally we concede a couple of goals, get a half-time blasting and resume normal service in the second half. This was not the case here as the Hyde Tigers completely dominated the first half and went in at the interval a goal to the good scored by Benjamin Obong on 36 minutes following a defensive lapse and goalkeeping horror. It could and should have been more with Worksop never threatening. A second away win looked on the cards but all that changed within nine minutes of the restart as Worksop were allowed to score two sloppy goals. The usual story - set piece, man unmarked, goal! Hyde's fighting spirit was there for all to see however and ten minutes later Simon Yeo powered in to the box and was brought down. He got up to put the penalty away with ease. Anybody's game now and with ten minutes left disaster struck as Paul Ashwell waited for an offside flag which never happened and Dean Cropper rounded Richard Acton to complete his hat-trick. There was still time for Hyde to come close again as a Critchley half volley was brilliantly saved by the enigmatic Holmshaw. But this was a match which got away. 

We can point to some dubious decisions from referee John Brandon (for the second time this season) and the fact that despite some blatant time-wasting and theatricals from some of the Worksop team, there was no added time, but the plain facts are we need at least another 36 points from the remaining 27 games. The effort and spirit is there but we are conceding far too many goals. Clean sheets are needed and hopefully Martin Filson's experience in defence will help. He had 20 minutes up front today but looked like a fish out of water compared to his recent defensive exploits. Rather poignant really as " Shamu" had spent the last week swimming with dolphins! 
Defensively John Foster and Gareth Liddle had good games as did Simon up front, but overall a poor second half performance cost us the game and some desperately needed points. 

Hyde -Acton 7, Foster 8, Ashwell 5, Critchley 7, Hawtin 5, Band 7, Young 6, Obong 7, Yeo 9, Liddle 8, Nolan 7. 
Subs Filson 5 (Matthews and Doherty not used). 

Worksop - Holmshaw, Kotylo, Davis, A.Smith, Diggle, Gray, G.Smith, C Smith, Ludlam, Coleman, Cropper. 
Subs Townsend, Todd, Waddle. 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



03-11-01 OSSETT TOWN 1 HYDE UNITED 1 FAT 1 Att. 216
The Tigers couldn't have got off to a worse start in this FA Trophy tie at Ingfield with veteran Chris Beaumont latching onto a Paul Sykes pass to shoot Ossett into a 6th minute lead. Hyde should have got level soon after when John Foster burst into the penalty area but chose to pass instead of testing Lee Bracey in the Town goal. In the Hyde goal, Richard Acton had to make a good save to deny an Adam Gray free kick from 25 yards. Chris Shaw then went close for Ossett on 17 minutes after Peter Band had played him in by mistake but the midfielder shot wide of the target. Four minutes from the break a poor clearance from Bracey gave Simon Yeo a chance but he failed to capitalize by shooting straight at the relieved keeper. Scott Jackson then got through a minute before the interval for Ossett but Foster got back to tackle in the nick of time. On 52 minutes Beaumont went close with an acrobatic effort after a cross from the right as the first division high flyers looked to make certain of the victory. Hyde were hard done by soon after when a Simon Yeo knockdown played in Peter Band who whilst rounding the goalkeeper was felled in the area, it looked a clear cut penalty but the referee waved play on. On 62 minutes it could have been over as a corner was swung in for Ossett and Beaumont hit the post with a free header. On 69 minutes the Tigers thought they were really up against it as a Peter Band strike was ruled out for offside when he wasn't even close to the Ossett back line, a bizarre decision that saw Simon Yeo booked for protesting. On 72 minutes Band struck the crossbar from close range after Neil Critchley pulled the ball back inside the area. Ossett were reduced to ten men on 77 minutes when Adam Gray was dismissed for a vicious tackle on David Nolan a long time after the ball had gone, he couldn't really complain as he jumped in above the knee, this was a result of the match officials lack of control finally showing through as the game reached boiling point. On 82 minutes Lee Matthews raced onto a throughball but his finishing let him down when he was in a good position. The Hyde equaliser came just into stoppage time when Neil Critchley crossed in the box and Ossett's Chris Beaumont made a hash of his attempted clearance slicing the ball past the stranded Lee Bracey and into the corner of the goal. It could have been even better a few moments later as Peter Band crossed into the area and David Nolan headed just wide meaning a replay on Thursday evening.

Hyde: Richard Acton 7, John Foster 7, Matty Taylor 7, Neil Critchley 6, Dale Hawtin 7, Peter Band 8, Chris Young 6, Steve Foster 5, Simon Yeo 7, Gareth Liddle 6, David Nolan 7. Subs: Martin Doherty, Stephen Lyons, Lee Matthews 6 for Yeo, Josh Howard, Gavin Salmon 6 for S Foster.

Ossett Town: Lee Bracey, Chris Stabb, Adam gray, Ryan Gray, Brendan Aspinall, Paul Ryan, Matty Smithard, Chris Shaw, Scott Jackson, Chris Beaumont, Paul Sykes. Subs: Paul Jones, Michael Amos, Richard Hand, Darren Conway, Danny McLaughlin 

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



30-10-01 COLWYN BAY 4 HYDE UNITED 4 UNIBOND Att. 209
This was probably one of the best games that the Unibond League has played host to this season between two sides who just didn’t want to lose ( Or maybe they were just trying to keep warm in the torrential rain the game was played in!!!) Bay were the better side in the first 45 minutes and could have been ahead after just five minutes when a Craig Lawton effort from the edge of the area was deflected wide for a corner, from that Dean Williams headed over the top when he should have done better. The Seagulls went infront on 14 minutes when a long throughball beat stand in defender Martin Doherty leaving James McIlvogue with an easy run in towards goal and he steered the ball easily past Richard Acton. Hyde the went close on 23 minutes as Neil Critchley swung a free kick into the box and Martin Filson connected but saw his header drift wide, the big defender sustained a nasty cut just under his eye from this challenge and Hyde were down to ten men for a few minutes whilst he received stitches. With Filson off the field Bay went further ahead on 25 minutes when McIlvogue headed home his second from a Deniol Graham cross. On 33 minutes Hyde won a corner which was cleared to Gareth Liddle who let fly with a screaming shot that David Williams in the Bay goal did well to parry for a corner as it sped towards the top corner. Just on half-time Williams again did well, this time blocking a close range David Nolan effort after another corner was flicked on by Filson. Hyde came out for the second half with more purpose and pulled one back on 48 minutes when Doherty’s cross was headed home by captain Peter Band, the hope was short lived though as Bay went further ahead on 55 minutes when Jason Jones rose the tallest from a corner to bury a header past Acton. Again Hyde reduced the deficit, this time on the hour when Martin Doherty headed past Williams following Chris Young’s corner. Five minutes later John Foster got caught in possession on the halfway line as McIlvogue raced away but poor finishing let the Tigers off the hook. Hyde equalised on 66 minutes in bizarre fashion, a free kick 40 yards out was thumped into the box by Neil Critchley looking for the head of Peter Band who promptly missed the ball but Williams in the Bay goal also missed it as it bounced once before flying into the empty net. Just a minute later Cross struck a 30 yard free kick for Bay which was heading for the top corner until Acton thrust out an arm to divert the ball for a corner. From the corner Glen Graham saw his effort cleared off the line as Hyde started to live dangerously. With three minutes left it seemed as though Hyde had blown it as Deniol Graham sped through on goal and rolled the ball past Acton to put Bay 4-3 ahead. Hyde still didn’t give up and with two minutes remaining Gavin Salmon had a good run down the left but his shot was deflected behind for a corner. Then in the final minute, Bay blocked a shot on the edge of the area and Neil Critchley raced onto the loose ball 25 yards out and rifled a powerful shot into the top corner for the equaliser, he was then promptly dived on by the whole team as Hyde’s spirit shone through to make it 3 games without defeat, something that was unthinkable six weeks ago!

Hyde: Richard Acton 6, Gareth Liddle 6, Matty Taylor 6, Neil Critchley 9, Martin Doherty 8, Peter Band 8, Chris Young 6, Benjamin Obong 6, Steve Foster 7, Martin Filson 7, David Nolan 7. Subs: Josh Howard 6 for Matty Taylor, John Foster 6 for Filson, Gavin Salmon 8 for Obong

Bay: David Williams, Stuart Scheuber, Cross, P Jones, Glen Graham, Dean Williams, Owain Roberts, Graham Roberts, Deiniol Graham, James McIlvouge, Craig Lawton. Subs: Jason Jones, Hogg, Colin Caton

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



27-10-01 HYDE UNITED 3 BLYTH SPARTANS 1 UNIBOND Att.
It has been a while in coming but this was one to savour. The Tigers played out of their skins and secured the first home league victory of the season with a superb display against a physical Blyth side.

It was Hyde who opened the scoring after only 3 minutes when a Simon Yeo goal bound shot was handled in the box by Colin Morton. Yeo coolly picked up the ball and tucked the resulting penalty into the top corner giving goalkeeper Paul Gilmore absolutely no chance. 7 minutes later it was again Yeo in the thick of the action as he blasted narrowly wide after fine work from Taylor.

Blyth were not to be outdone and started to get back into the game as Neil Radigan brought the best out of Richard Acton in the Hyde goal, first with a stinging free kick on 19 minutes and a long range effort midway through the half. Blyth were again foiled by Acton 3 minutes later when he dived bravely at the feet of Steven Stewart to hold on to a close range effort.

Hyde went further ahead on 23 minutes when Neil Critchley's pinpoint corner was met at the back post by Martin Filson who powered home a trademark bullet header to score on his Tiger's debut.

Blyth continued to press and showed they were not out of the contest as Matty Taylor scrambled to clear off the line following an inch perfect lob by Radigan. Minutes later the miss-hit shot by Stewart looped over Acton, hit the bar and came back into the grateful hands of the keeper.

With the referee looking to blow for half time Hyde almost scored again with a Simon Yeo header that flew just wide of the upright from a Critchley free kick. The fans didn't have to wait long for the third though, as only a minute later Hyde increased their lead when Chris Young was put clear by Yeo. His 35 yard drive completely deceived Gilmore and whistled into the bottom corner.

Blyth made changes at half time and they almost paid off only minutes into the second half as Craig Perry shot narrowly over. On 58 minutes it was again Acton to the rescue for Hyde as he superbly saved a looping header from Perry,

Hyde still pressed forward and were almost rewarded, after great work down the right by Obong and Young, when Band almost scored the fourth with a stinging drive that Gilmore in the Blyth goal could only parry.

The Blyth consolation goal came in the 89th minute when Stewart made the most of sloppy defending to plant the ball past Acton.

All in all a good day at the office - Martin Filson deserved his man of the match award, but a special mention must go to Matty Taylor who also gave an excellent performance, in fact it is impossible to single any one out who had a bad game.

Hyde United: Richard Acton 8; Gareth Liddle 7; Matty Taylor 9; Neil Critchley 8; Dale Hawtin 7; Peter Band 8; Chris Young 7; Benjamin Obong 7; Simon Yeo 8; Martin Filson 9; Dave Nolan 8. Subs Steve Foster 6 for Yeo; Lee Matthews 7 for Matty Taylor; Martin Doherty 8 for Hawtin

Blyth Spatans: Paul Gilmore; Paddy Little; Graham Pepper; John Hutton; Richard Forster; Colin Morton; Neil Radigan; Carl Pepper; Craig Skeltern; Craig Perry; Steven Stewart. Subs: Glen Robson; Justin Keegan; Gary Innes

REPORT BY DON GOODWIN 



22-10-01 HYDE UNITED 3 DROYLSDEN 3 ULCgs Att. 
This League Cup tie really was a game of two halves. Hyde could have been two up inside the first three minutes as firstly Simon Yeo headed goalwards from Neil Critchley's free kick only to be thwarted by an excellent save from Paul Phillips and from the resulting corner Matty Taylor had an effort cleared off the line. Droylsden could have snatched the lead after 20 minutes when Mark Bradshaw's free kick went through the wall but was palmed away by Steve Lyons in the Hyde goal. The Tigers went ahead on the half hour when Simon Yeo left Phillips stranded with a deft chip from the edge of the area which found the top corner of the goal. David Nolan then had a shot fizz past the post from the edge of the area as Hyde upped the pace. The second goal came on 38 minutes when Peter Band's throughball set Yeo away from the halfway line, he pace took him clear of the chasing defenders and he rounded Phillips with ease to grab his second of the game. It all looked to be over on 42 minutes when David Nolan rifled home a header from Neil Critchley's corner to put Hyde 3-0 ahead. It really could have become a rout on 50 minutes when Gavin Salmon powered in the area after a strong run but then came a weak finish that trickled past the post and wide. Hyde's decision to replace John Foster at half time soon came under question when Dale Hawtin limped off injured leaving Matty Taylor and Paul Ashwell as the only recognised defenders in a red shirt. Droylsden soon took advantage of this when Robert Pell's cross was headed home by Nigel Evans on 65 minutes. Seven minutes later it was 3-2 as Danny Warner got down the left and squared for Evans to grab a second from close range. Hyde could have then sealed the win on 78 minutes following a Crithcley corner as Yeo struck the crossbar with a powerful header. The equaliser inevitably came a minute later as Carl Holmes crossed for ex-Tiger Lloyd Richardson to volley home at the far post. Even then Hyde could have grabbed a winner in the final minute as Phillips pulled off a spectacular save to deny a Steve Foster 25 yard drive.

Hyde: Steve Lyons 7, John Foster 7, Matty Taylor 7, Paul Ashwell 7, Dale Hawtin 7, Peter Band 6, Neil Critchley 7, Neil Hall 7, Simon Yeo 9, Benjamin Obong 6, David Nolan 7. Subs: Steve Foster 6 for Obong, Lee Matthews 6 for Hawtin, Gavin Salmon 6 for J Foster.

Droylsden: Paul Phillips, Robert Trees, Mark Bradshaw, James Glendenning, Aeon Lattie, Carl Holmes, Iain Brunskill, Darran Connor, Nigel Evans, Andy Green, Danny Warner. Subs: Steve Porter, Lloyd Richardson, Robert Pell 

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



15-10-01 HYDE UNITED 1 BURTON ALBION 2 UNIBOND Att. 523
The largest crowd of the season so far at Ewen Fields came to see the league leaders play the best football on show in the Unibond League. Albion could have gone ahead on 3 minutes as Darren Stride caused problems down the right before crossing for Steve Evans but Hyde goalkeeper Richard Acton was in the right place to stop the header. Burton played some great football going forward but the first sign that they were mere mortals arrived on 19 minutes when Matty Taylor was allowed to shoot from the edge of the area but his effort caused no problems for giant keeper Matt Duke. Amazingly though, Hyde took the lead a minute later, Simon Yeo chased a long ball, Duke came and missed and the striker couldn't miss an empty goal. The Tigers still can't hold a lead though and it took just two minutes for the Visitors to draw level, a ball in from the right was half cleared but David Nolan dallied on the ball allowing Neil Glasser to steal the ball and he finished well from the edge of the area giving Acton no chance. Burton now threatened to get on top and following a good move on 26 minutes Terry Henshaw crossed but Aaron Webster couldn't stretch enough to direct his header onto the target. Two minutes later Glasser was again a menace around the edge of the area forcing Acton to save his 20 yard effort. There was certainly plenty of action in the first half and on the half hour Acton produced a great save to deny Dale Anderson's header before Hyde broke away and Simon Yeo saw a long range effort flash past the post with Duke well beaten. The first bit of good football from Hyde came on 38 minutes when Chris Young chipped down the right and Yeo played in Neil Hall but Duke was out quickly to blocked the midfielders shot. At half time it looked as though it would be a matter of when the onslaught started rather than if as the delightful football combined with the obvious gulf in fitness would tell eventually, it never came and that was mainly due to the Tigers upping the work rate and fighting for every ball and hustling every player on the park. Indeed on 56 minutes the home side could have gone in front as a 30 yard Yeo effort was deflected but Duke used his massive reach to collect the ball with no problem, and it was travelling! Burton went ahead on 67 minutes as Anderson got round the back and as his effort was cleared off the line Darren Stride was on hand to strike the ball into an empty goal. Hyde kept up their work rate and although the visitors looked threatening every time they went forward they didn't create another telling attack and it should have been all square on 81 minutes when Young's free kick on the left was headed goalwards by Lee Matthews but Duke pulled off an outstanding save diving to his left. On 85 minutes came Hyde's best chance to get level as Dale Hawtin laid the ball off for Neil Critchley to strike from 30 yards and there was a stunned anticipation in the ground as the ball travelled through the air and passed Duke before gasps as the ball struck the crossbar and bounced clear. We have played Burton twice now and they are by far the best side we have played as of yet, Hyde probably deserved a point from this game but Burton defender James Wall was more like a brick wall as he seemed to stop everything we threw forward. Hyde can take heart from this performance and the crowd responded by cheering the home side off the pitch despite the result as they knew there was a huge gulf between the sides but for 45 minutes it was bridged by sheer determination and hard graft.

Hyde: Richard Acton 6, John Foster 6, Matty Taylor 6, Neil Critchley 6, Dale Hawtin 7, Peter Band 7, Chris Young 6, Neil Hall 7, Simon Yeo 8, Benjamin Obong 6, David Nolan 6. Subs: Matthew Deevey, Lee Matthews 7 for Yeo, Gavin Salmon.

Burton: Matt Duke, Jason Kavanagh, Terry Henshaw, Neil Glasser, James Wall, Colin Hoyle, Darren Stride, Steve Evans, Dale Anderson, Christian Moore, Aaron Webster. Subs: Alan Bailey, Darren Wassall, Andy Garner


REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER