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  

13-10-01 FRICKLEY 2 HYDE UNITED 2 UNIBOND Att. 169
The Tigers travelled to South Elmsall for this battle of the basement and went close to scoring within ten seconds, Simon Yeo got round Mark Wilkinson in the Frickley goal but the angle took him wide and a defender got back to clear his effort. Yeo again had a chance on 18 minutes after Chris Young and John Foster combined well on the right but Yeo could only hit the side netting from the defenders pass. The Tigers deservedly went ahead on 26 minutes, Yeo was pushed on the edge of the area and Neil Critchley curled his free kick round the wall and in at the far post although Wilkinson should have saved it. It was all level three minutes later as David Nolan produced a reckless challenge in the penalty area and Steve Price sent Richard Acton the wrong way from the spot. On 34 minutes Frickley won another penalty, Paul Ashwell deemed to have fouled Sanisa Savic but this time Price changed the direction of his kick and Acton saved and then stopped the follow up shot. Steve Foster broke clear of the Frickley offside trap on 38 minutes and then scored with a great shot that inside the far post leaving Wilkinson no chance. Steve Foster then blazed over on the stroke of half time after Yeo had had crossed from the left. Just after the break Savic turned on the edge of the box for Frickley and his shot rolled agonisingly past the post with Acton well beaten. Hyde should have taken a two goal cushion on 52 minutes when Critchley struck the post from another free kick. It was all level again on 65 minutes when a free kick on the left was flighted into the area were Graham Lewis flicked the ball in at the back post. Lewis again got in shortly after when he beat John Foster but Acton produced a good save to deny the midfielder. Acton came for a cross on 81 minutes but got nowhere near and Gary Duffty is the only person in the stadium who knows why he shot over with the goal at his mercy as the game finished all square.

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

Frickley: Mark Wilkinson, Brown, Chris Gowan, Rob Hanby, Wordsworth, Dean Jones, Graham Lewis, Steve Price, Andy Evans, Sanisa Savic, Simon Collins. Subs: Mark Ogley for Brown, Scott Collins for Hanby, Gary Duffty for Simon Collins.


REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



09-10-01 OSSETT ALBION 0 HYDE UNITED 1 ULCgs Att. 85
David Nolan had a look at his squad players at Ossett Albion in this league cup tie and he must have been quietly impressed. Ossett went close early on when Paul Arkle played in James Glover but he had no power in his shot and Steven Lyons saved easily in the Hyde goal. Neil Critchley went close for the Tigers with a free kick just wide of the post. Hyde went ahead on 13 minutes when a second Critchley free kick was chipped into the box and Lee Matthews finished off well giving Andy Carney in the Albion goal no chance. Gavin Salmon then had a chance when he broke from halfway but Carney raced out to take the ball at the strikers feet. Salmon again caused problems as he raced down the right flank and put in a great ball for Matthews but Carney made an excellent save at close range. Ossett got back into the game as the half wore on and Danny Toronczak got behind Gareth Liddle but Lyons did well and saved with his legs. James O'Donnell had Lyons scrambling across his goal but his curling effort didn't come back enough to worry the goalkeeper too much. On the stroke of half time Hyde nearly made it two as Salmon passed the ball into the area and Albion's Andy Dodsweorth hit his own crossbar with a wild clearance. After the break both sides again had chances, for Albion O'Donnell shot through a crowd of players and Lyons again made a good save. On 59 minutes Neil Critchley let fly from the edge of the area but Carney palmed the ball away. Four minutes later a long free kick was met by the head of Gavin Salmon but his header drifted past the post and wide. On 69 minutes Gareth Rowe had a shot cleared off the line following a corner as Hyde looked to put the result beyond doubt. Ossett came back though and Darron Morris forced Lyons into a great save to stop his shot from the edge of the area. With fifteen minutes left Josh Howard played in Rico Richards but Critchley took the ball off the toes of the substitute and then proceeded to waste what was an excellent opportunity. On 79 minutes Howard and Richards combined to play in Gavin Salmon who forced Carney into a great one handed stop. With five minutes left Toronczak crossed from the right for Ossett but Morris headed wide. Hyde held on to claim their first clean sheet of the season and their second victory.

Hyde: Steven Lyons 9, John Foster 7, Gareth Liddle 7, Paul Ashwell 7, Dale Hawtin 7, Martin Doherty 7, Gavin Salmon 8, Neil Hall 7, Lee Matthews 8, Gareth Rowe 7, Neil Critchley 7. Subs: Rico Richards 9 for Rowe, Colin Hall 7 for Salmon, Josh Howard 8 for Doherty.

Ossett Albion: Andy Carney, Mark Lafferty, Chris Siddall, James Glover, Rob Dunderdale, Mick Carter, James O'Donnell, Paul Arkle, Danny Toronczak, Lee Bradley, Colin Williamson. Subs: Andy Dodsworth, Dave Watts, Darron Morris

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



07-10-01 HYDE UNITED 0 DROYLSDEN 3 UNIBOND Att. 432
Hyde were completely outclassed this afternoon by local rivals Droylsden, not the perfect homecoming for new boss David Nolan who before the game announced that ex Staylbridge warhorse Martin Filson would be his assistant. Simon Yeo had a great chance to score early on for Hyde when he beat Paul Phillips to a throughball but the prescence of the goalkeeper was enough to force Yeo into shooting wide. Droylsden then got on top, playing some good football at times and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 23 minutes, James Glendenning rifling home following one of many corners the visitors forced early on in the game. Another Danny Warner corner caused problems for Hyde and they had Richard Acton to thank when he denied Nigel Evans' far post header. Warner himself went close for the Bloods whith an acrobatic effort that Acton saved and Evans then put the rebound wide as Droylsden looked to take a commanding lead in at half-time. The second Droylsden goal arrived about ten minutes before the break as Mick Moore played in Wes Kinney whose trickery and clinical finishing gave the Hyde defence no chance. On 51 minutes Hyde looked to have found a way through as Steve Foster battled with Adam Farley only to be floored by a stray elbow, this combined with the fact the defender was last man led to an early bath and perhaps a lifeline for Hyde. Jason Dormer fired the free kick against the wall and Paul Phillips collected easily. David Nolan then went close with a header after a Chris Young cross and that was where any revival ended. The ten men of Droylsden were still running the game and grabbed a third on 64 minutes as Wes Kinney grabbed his second of the game. The rest of the game saw Droylsden consolidate their lead and Hyde had very few ideas on how to break them down. David Nolan certainly has his work cut out over the coming months if the Tigers are to climb away from the bottom of the table but I'm sure he knew the size of the job when he took over and must believe that given time he will succeed.

Hyde: Richard Acton 7, John Foster 6, Matty Taylor 5, Paul Ashwell 5, Dale Hawtin 6, Peter Band 5, Chris Young 5, Jason Dormer 4, Simon Yeo 4, Steve Foster 5, David Nolan 5. Subs: Gareth Liddle 6 for Dormer, Gavin Salmon 6 for S Foster, Gareth Rowe 6 for Band.

Droylsden: Paul Phillips, Darren Esdaille, Mark Bradshaw, James Glendenning, Adam Farley, Aeon Lattie, Mick Moore, Leon Mills, Nigel Evans, Wes Kinney, Danny Warner. Subs: Robert Pell, Lloyd Richardson, Iain Brunskill

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



02-10-01 BAMBER BRIDGE 1 HYDE UNITED 3 UNIBOND Att. 216
The Tigers finally got their first win of the season and it was well deserved even if the goals were a little fortunate. David Nolan changed the system to 3-5-2 and rested Matty Taylor in order to play three centre backs and the manager picked himself to bolster the midfield. Again there was optimism before the kick off from the Hyde fans and the Tigers started off the brightest of the two sides and Paul Ashwell went close with a rising effort from the edge of the area after Simon Yeo have laid the ball back. Bamber Bridge went straight down to the other end and had an attempt themselves when Ian Dickinson forced Richard Acton into a good save at his near post. Hyde were well up for this game though and Simon Yeo pounced onto Peter Band's flick but shot just wide of the post under pressure. The home side went ahead on 9 minutes when Steve Aspinall curled in a shot from 25 yards using the outside of his foot, Richard Acton may have been at fault but the ball moved wickedly and landed just inside the post so we'll give him the benefit on that one. Hyde then went attempt crazy as they tried to get back into the game, Bridge keeper Andy Banks held onto a Simon Yeo volley from the edge of the area and then held onto a Yeo free kick that went through his defensive wall. Paul Ashwell, playing in central midfield, then went close with a 30 yard effort that went just past the upright. The Tigers had a goal disallowed when Steve Foster chipped into the box and Simon Yeo headed home only for the assistant to flag for offside. David Nolan then hit a 25 yarder that Banks again held onto and it looked as though it was going to be one of those nights until on 38 minutes Simon Yeo played in Steve Foster who rolled the ball under the legs of the onrushing Banks to equalise. Bamber were furious as Yeo seemed to have handled in the build up but the goal stood. The home side went close when Karl Robinson met Lee Pryer's cross but Richard Acton saved the strikers header. Steve Foster, who had been quiet until his goal, then found himself in acres of space just before the break but shot wide with just Banks to beat. Hyde didn't create as much after the break but they were still on top and should have gone in front when Martin Doherty's corner was met by Chris McCready who hooked over from close range after his header had been blocked. The Tigers went in front on 59 minutes when a powerful drive from Paul Ashwell was spilled by Banks and Steve Foster was on hand to stroke in the rebound. With half an hour left there was growing concern that Bridge would get back into the game but the defence was pretty solid but it looked as though the hosts had done it on 86 minutes when a rasping drive from Andy Moran rattled the crossbar. Hyde then eased their fans fears by wrapping it up in the final minute, a long ball forward was chashed by Steve Foster by the goalkeeper beat him to the ball, Foster still slid in on the goalkeeper and whilst the Hyde fans thought, oh well, the booking will waste some time, the referee never blew and Steve Foster picked himself up the grab his hat-trick and send the fans home happy for the first time in 21 games.

Hyde: Richard Acton 6, John Foster 7, Chris McCready 7, Paul Ashwell 7, Dale Hawtin 7, Peter Band 7, Chris Young 7, Martin Doherty 7, Simon Yeo 7, Steve Foster 9, David Nolan 8. Subs: Gavin Salmon 7 for Yeo, Jason Dormer 7 for Doherty, Gareth Rowe

Bamber: Andy Banks, Paul Lin, Lee Pryer, Phil Robinson, Chris Greaves, Steve Aspinall, Peter Smith, Lee Cooper, Karl Robinson, Andy Moran, Ian Dickinson. Subs: Paul Ryan, Brad Pates, Jamie Skeoch.

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 

29-09-01 VAUXHALL MOTORS 2 HYDE UNITED 1 FAC2qr Att. 318
There was a wave of optimism at Rivacre Park for this this FA Cup tie. The appointment of former Tigers hero David Nolan as caretaker manager brought out a few old faces that had been staying away. Nolan himself had been signed on too late to take any part in the game and with Jason Dormer cup tied and Chris McCready not given permission to play by Crewe, Paul Ashwell filled in at the back with Gavin Salmon fitting into midfield. The Tigers could have gone behind in the 10th minute when Kevin Lynch fired in a shot following a knock down but Richard Acton saved well. A minute later Peter Cumiskey got in after some poor defending but again Acton held the ball well to deny the former Leigh striker. Hyde's first sign of life came in the 16th minute when Chris Young header just over from Paul Ashwell's long free kick. The Motormen went ahead on 21 minutes when a ball through the middle had Hyde appealing strongly for offside and Terry Fearns clearly was, but he didn't attempt to play the ball and Kevin Lynch ran from midfield to fire past the completely exposed Acton for the opener. It could have been two on 39 minutes when Fearns turned on the edge of the area and Acton made a brilliant one handed save. Hyde equalised on 43 minutes when Doherty's corner was headed goalwards by Peter Band and Simon Yeo was at hand to head the ball in from close range. Just after the break Vauxhall had a lucky escape after Gavin Salmon and Steve Foster combined to set up Simon Yeo who finished well but play was brought back for handball, a dubious decision at best from the Liverpudlian referee. The game got scrappy in the second half with lots of injuries and a spate of bookings. Vauxhall were awarded a penalty on 85 minutes when Stanhope was felled inside the area by Paul Ashwell, there was a little contact but the youngster threw himself dramatically which infuriated the Hyde players and Terry Fearns despatched the penalty two minutes later, sending Acton the wrong way. Hyde became frustrated having deserved at least a replay from the game and when the whistle happy referee gave another soft freekick, Peter Band reacted reacted badly and received his second yellow card and took the long walk to the dressing rooms. In the ninth minute of stoppage time Simon Yeo blew his chance, He got round the back of the Vauxhall defence but then pulled his shot across the face of the goal and inches wide of the far post.

Hyde: Richard Acton 9, John Foster 7, Matty Taylor 6, Paul Ashwell 6, Dale Hawtin 6, Peter Band 5, Chris Young 6, Gavin Salmon 6, Simon Yeo 7, Steve Foster 6, Martin Doherty 7. Subs: Gareth Rowe, Stephen Lyons, Lee Matthews 6 for S Foster, Matthew Deevey 6 for Salmon, Josh Howard.

Vauxhall: Chris Holmes, Neil Rigby, Kevin Thompson, Phil Brazier, Matt Haddrell, Kevin Lynch, Carl Nesbitt, Robbie Lawton, Peter Cumiskey, Nicky Young, Terry Fearns. Subs: Jon Paul Stanhope, Brad Cullen, Liam Croxton, Wayne McDermott, Steve Hilton

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



24-09-01 HYDE UNITED 1 EMLEY 2 ULCgs Att. 221
Emley went ahead in this league cup tie through the trusty left foot of Simeon Bambrook who curled in a free kick from 20 yards on 13 minutes. Surprisingly Hyde came straight back at the visitors and equalised on 16 minutes when Chris McCready outjumped Paul Cuss to head home from Jason Dormer's free kick. Emley should have gone back infront on 34 minutes when Ian Edge crossed from the right but Bambrook managed to miss the target with his header from no more than three yards out. Hyde could have taken a shock lead five minutes into the second half as Simon Yeo raced down the left but he pulled his shot across the face of goal and wide. Jamie Robshaw went close for Emley before on 61 minutes a free kick from the left was knocked back across goal and Andy Wilson knocked the ball home from close range for the winner. Hyde were unlucky on 79 minutes when John Foster found Martin Doherty in the area but the midfielder couldn't hit the target with his shot. Once again Hyde showed promise but were lacking when it came down to defending from set pieces.

Hyde: Richard Acton 7, John Foster 7, Matty Taylor 7, Dale Hawtin 7, Chris McCready 8, Peter Band 7, Chris Young 6, Jason Dormer 7, Simon Yeo 6, Steve Foster 6, Martin Doherty 7. Subs: Rico Richards, Gavin Salmon, Paul Ashwell.

Emley: Paul Cuss, Ian Edge, Ryan Crossley, Andy Wilson, Rory Prendergast, Rudi Coleano, Paul Hutson, Jamie Robshaw, Mick Norbury, Simeon Bambrook, Richard Walker. Subs: Mickey Reynolds, Danny Day, Gary Hatto


REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



22-09-01 LANCASTER CITY 4 HYDE UNITED 2 UNIBOND Att. 365
This match followed a similar pattern to many this season as the Tigers gave Lancaster a two goal start and then proceded to control much of the game but just when we were in with a chance of getting something, we conceded more goals. 
Hyde made six changes from Monday's team, with new signings Chris Young, Jason Downey and Rico Richards making their debuts, Simon Yeo making a welcome return up front after suspension, Neil Hall back from injury, whilst Neil Critchley was missing with a broken nose received on Monday. 
The Tigers could not have got off to a more disasterous start as they conceded a goal to lively winger Colin Potts inside the first minute and then two minutes later allowed leading scorer Andy Whittaker too much space as he slotted home number two. Two nil down inside three minutes and most of the team hadn't even touched the ball! A massacre looked on the cards but the Tigers fought back well against adversity as first Matthew Deevey had to go off with a thigh strain and then Neil Hall collected a bad knee injury from a reckless tackle, which the officials did not see, and was carried off. In fact the officials missed numerous things on the pitch which did neither side any favours. 
As half time approached with Hyde well on top, Martin Doherty lost possession outside his own penalty area when he had not cleared the ball first time and Whittaker had a simple chance to score from 10 yards. Macca's comments from the touchline said it all, but are not repeatable here! All was not lost and right on half-time Steve Foster squeezed the ball home from close range. 
The second half belonged to Hyde as Lancaster lost their momentum and backed off.Chances came and went but the defence still looked vunerable and substitute Stewart Clitheroe scored in a rare attack. The Tigers were still not done and five minutes from time, Paul Ashwell headed home and there was still a couple more chances before the end. 
On this showing Lancaster have a lot to do to match Burton who are still by far the best team we have met this season. (They meet a week on Friday at Lancaster). For Hyde some plusses but you can't give teams a two goal start and expect to win. First priority has got to be a 'clean sheet' and build from there - we just give too many goals away. The games are ticking by though with ten gone already and confidence severely dented with an FA Cup tie one week away. A first win is desperately needed to maintain sanity! 

Hyde United Acton 7, Foster 6, Taylor 7, Ashwell 7, McCready 6, Band 6, Young 8, Hall 7, Yeo 7, Foster 7, Deevey 5.Downey 7, Doherty 6, Richards 5. 

LancasterThornley,Rigby,Lyons,Holliday,Kilbane,Mayers,Martin,Butler,Whittaker,Welch,
Potts.Brown,Clitheroe,McMenemy. 


REPORT BY TONY BEARD



17-09-01 HYDE UNITED 0 WARRINGTON TOWN 1 CSC Att. 185
The Tigers crashed out of the Cheshire Senior Cup at the first hurdle against a Warrington side two leagues below them. The game was largely forgettable as Hyde proved just why they are bottom of the Unibond League table whilst the visitors didn't stop to take pity on them. The only real incident of the first half saw Neil Critchley hit the crossbar and the midfielder struck the woodwork again just after the break when his free kick came back off the post. Warrington's strong work ethic paid off when they took the lead on 57 minutes, Chris Moores heading home from a corner kick. Hyde never really looked like scoring although they weren't helped by playing the final ten minutes a player short. Neil Critchley broke his nose and headed up the tunnel but rather than replaced the injured player the management team decided to take off Steve Foster and use up our last substitute, a decision that baffled everyone in the tiny crowd.

Hyde: Richard Acton 7, John Foster 6, Matty Taylor 6, Paul Ashwell 6, Nehru McKenzie 6, Peter Band 6, Martin Doherty 6, Matthew Deevey 6, Steve Foster 6, Gavin Salmon 6, Neil Critchley 7. Subs: Gareth Rowe 6, Lee Matthews 6, Colin Hall 6.

Warrington: Neil McCormack, Andy Moore, Steve Cartledge, Andy Tague, Lee Webster, Robbie Priedt, Dave Pick, Dave Tickle, Mike Heverin, Chris Moores, Neil Morgan. Subs: Paul Davies, Gary Trewitt, Ian Hughes 


REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



14-09-01 HYDE UNITED 0 BAMBER BRIDGE 1 UNIBOND Att. 268
Bottom club Bamber Bridge came to Ewen Fields and left with their first win of the season, something Hyde last tasted sixteen games ago. Make no mistake about it, before this game we were in trouble but now we have a crisis. Bamber Bridge scored the only goal of the game on six minutes when a bizarre bounce spun the ball away from the advancing Richard Acton in the Hyde goal and Simon Burton had the easiest of finishes. Hyde came back and a ball over the top was chested down by Martin Doherty but his shot was deflected wide for a corner. Steve Aspinall went close with a couple of long range efforts for Bamber Bridge before Simon Burton went close with an acrobatic effort following a cross from the left. The half time introduction of Peter Band for Hyde almost paid immediate dividends as he flicked on Josh Howard's cross but Neil Critchley couldn't connect as he slid in at the far post. Hyde were really going for it now and a great save from Brig goalkeeper Andy Banks denied Chris McCready's bullet header from a corner. Hyde should have equalised on 74 minutes when Lee Matthews beat the keeper to a through ball then squared for Neil Critchley but the visitors had enough people back to block the goalbound effort. As Hyde increased the pressure, Bamber Bridge's Terry Bowker lost his head completely when he headbutted Matthew Deevey in an off the ball incident and was rightly sent off, Peter Band received a yellow card after diving in to protect his team mate. Hyde went into overdrive in injurytime as Paul Ashwell went close with a rising effort and then Banks made an excellent save to again thwart Chris McCready's powerful header. In a final throw of the dice Peter Band headed wide after Critchley's free kick. Hyde were unlucky not to get something in the end but they only started playing in the last 20 minutes, and you just can't do that and expect to pick up points.

Hyde: Richard Acton 5, John Foster 6, Matty Taylor 6, Dale Hawtin 6, Chris McCready 7, Paul Ashwell 6, Martin Doherty 6, Josh Howard 5, Gareth Rowe 5, Gavin Salmon 5, Neil Critchley 6. Subs: Peter Band 6 for Rowe, Lee Matthews 6 for Howard, Matthew Deevey 6 for J Foster.

Bamber Bridge: Andy Banks, Jamie Skeoch, Lee Pryer, Phil Robinson, Terry Bowker, Steve Aspinall, Peter Smith, Karl Robinson, Simon Burton, Andy Moran, Dave Leaver. Subs: John Turner, Paul Ryan, Brad Pates.

 
REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER




10-09-01 HYDE UNITED 1 GAINSBOROUGH 1 UNIBOND Att.308
The Tigers grabbed their first point of the season with a late equaliser against Gainsborough. Hyde had the better of the early stages with Chris McCready testing former Stalybridge goalkeeper Gary Ingham with a header from a corner but the custodian got down well to save. Gavin Salmon was sharp in making a chance for himself but poor finishing let him down and Ingham held easily. Martin Doherty then put Matty Taylor through on goal but again Ingham saved well. The best chance of the half for Hyde arrived when a long cross was headed across goal by Dale Hawtin and McCready headed straight into the arms of Ingham from six yards. As the half progressed Trinity came into the
game more and Paul Watts got through after a mistake by Neil Hall but Richard Acton saved well. Gainsborough went ahead on 44 minutes when an optimistic crossfield ball was amazingly headed home by Andrew Stanhope from the corner of the penalty area. The second half was largely forgettable but came to life in the final five minutes when a Neil Critchley free kick was flicked on to Dale Hawtin at the back post where he made no mistake with his header. Hyde could then have won the game when Critchley again crossed but Chris McCready had his header pushed around the post by Ingham.

Hyde: Richard Acton 6, Paul Ashwell 6, Matty Taylor 8, Dale Hawtin 8, Chris
McCready 8, Kenny Brady 5, Martin Doherty 6, Neil Hall 6, Gareth Rowe 6,
Gavin Salmon 6, Neil Critchley 6. Subs: Steve Foster 6 for Rowe, Lee Matthews
6 for Brady, Matthew Deevey 6 for Doherty.

Trinity: Gary Ingham, Brian Linighan, Darren Holmes, John Reed, Neil Allison,
Ian Gore, Andrew Stanhope, Gavin Bassinger, Lee Ellington, Paul Watts, Chris
Hurst, Subs: Rick Ranshaw, Danny Brown, Kevin Martin. 


REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER 



08-09-01 BLYTH 2 HYDE UNITED 0 UNIBOND Att.461
A familiar story as the Tigers made it seven defeats in a row in a cool and very windy North East. Plenty of possession, plenty of neat football but disasterous at both business ends. Two goals conceded following set pieces and a host of chances missed at the other end. 
The Tigers were missing skipper John Foster who had picked up an injury on Tuesday and Simon Yeo .In their places came a recalled Paul Ashwell and Lee Matthews for his first full match. The defence generally played better with Chris McCready again having an outstanding game and Ashwell making some strong runs from right back. It was up front really where the Tigers struggled. Gavin Salmon had a match to forget and overall Hyde could not put enough pressure on Spartans 'keeper Gilmore who was hampered by a thigh injury from early in the first half. 
There was a strong wind blowing down the ground but despite losing the toss, the Tigers had battled well against it in the first half and really had done well to only be a goal down at the interval and that was following a needless free kick. How many goals conceded have come that way? In the second half with the wind at their backs the Tigers camped in Blyth's half without ever looking totally convincing. Blyth had one further chance and they scored despite a valiant effort from Richard Acton. 
So where do we go from here? Just one victory in the last seventeen league games puts matters into perspective. Two home games to come this week and nothing less than six points is needed. But where are the goals going to come from? Simon is suspended for the next three games! 


Acton 7, Ashwell 8, Taylor 8, Hawtin 6, McCready 9, Band 6, Doherty 7, Hall 7, Matthews 6, Salmon 5, Critchley 6. 
Subs Foster 5, Howard 6, Mc Kenzie 6 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



04-09-01 DROYLSDEN 3 HYDE UNITED 2 UNIBOND Att. 484
The Tigers are now firmly rooted to the foot of the table after this defeat at the Butchers Arms. Yet again, the team played with fight and effort that couldn’t be faulted but defensive mistakes cost us dear. The first sign that it could go against the visitors came on 8 minutes when the impressive Mark Bradshaw drilled a shot across the face of goal from an angle. Hyde then took the lead on 13 minutes when a poor corner was salvaged at the near post by
Simon Yeo and Gavin Salmon rose highest to steer the ball into the corner. The Bloods hit back though and should have equalised on 21 minutes when a cross from the left found Andy Green but the striker produced a glaring miss instead of the easy tap in he should have had. Martin Doherty was strong on 30 minutes riding tackles before his run took him into the area and he shot wide. Droylsden levelled things up on 39 minutes when Nigel Evans finished from close range after a goalmouth scramble. On the stroke of half-time Nehru McKenzie went close for Hyde as his dipping 25 yard shot just cleared the crossbar. Just after the break Hyde went close again as Gavin Salmon responded to Yeo’s flick header but shot wide after bearing down on goal. On 48 minutes Nigel Evans knock on was picked up by Chris Young but he fired over the top of Richard Acton’s goal. Gavin Salmon showed his steel on 51 minutes when he fought ball after ball and it eventually paid off as Matty Taylor presented Peter Band with a chance but the midfielder headed wide. Eleven minutes later the same two combined but this time Peter Band cushioned his header inside the post to put The Tigers ahead once again. Three minutes after that it was all level again as Droylsden broke down the left and Danny Warner lashed the ball home from the edge of the area. Two more goalmouth scrambles were Hyde’s down fall as on 75 minutes Nigel Evans hit the post and a minute later he beat Acton with a low drive from close range. Droylsden goalkeeper Paul Phillips saved the day for the home side in the final minute
firstly saving well from Neil Hall and then saving again as Lee Matthews raced in on the rebound.

Hyde: Richard Acton 6, John Foster 6, Matty Taylor 7, Chris McCready 6, Dale
Hawtin 6, Peter Band 7, Martin Doherty 7, Neil Hall 7, Simon Yeo 6, Gavin
Salmon 7, Nehru McKenzie 6. Subs: Neil Critchley, Lee Matthews 7 for Foster,
Josh Howard 6 for Doherty.

Droylsden: Paul Phillips, Aeon Lattie, Mark Bradshaw, James Glendenning, Adam
Farley, Carl Holmes, Chris Young, Dominic Morley, Andy Green, Nigel Evans,
Danny Warner. Subs: Leon Mills, Robert Pell, Darren Esdaille

REPORT BY STEVE BOWKER