LEAGUE SEASON 2002 - 03

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  

01-10-02 COLWYN BAY 2 HYDE UNITED 0 UNI att. 175
A dismal performance from the Tigers at the seaside. Initial signs were favourable though with Deniol Graham on holiday and Carl Furlong suspended. We had Lee Evans and Anthony Hargreaves out injured, whilst Jay Anthony made his debut.

To be honest, Hyde never got going. The first half was pretty even. Richard Eyre clipped a post and that was the closest we came. Right on half time, Ged Smith was booked for jumping at an opponent and from the resultant free kick, Lee Kissock headed home.

The second half was only three minutes old when we gave Chris Edge too much time and space and he scored at the second attempt. The match degenerated (if it could get any worse) into a long ball game. The Tigers became more frustrated. Steve Foster, Paul Ashwell and Dave Swanick were booked. The referee had missed key incidents throughout and wasn’t consistent with bookings. We couldn’t blame the ref though for the way we played. Paul Ashwell received a second yellow after a ‘handbags’ incident and that summed up the Tiger’s night. He will now miss the Marine game, as will Swanick who has accumulated five bookings.

No serious goalmouth action to report. We can’t blame anybody but ourselves. Even the pitch was in pristine condition – the best I have ever seen it – so we couldn’t blame that either!

Hyde – Crookes, Mc Guire, D.Nolan, Crookes, Ashwell, Swanick, Eyre, Anthony, Foster, G.Smith, Brookes
Subs – Lomax, S.Nolan and L.Smith

Colwyn Bay – Smith, Rigby, Cathup, Webster, Hogg, Jones, Stannard, Williams, Mc Illvogue, Kissock, Edge
Subs – Limbert, Jefferies and Caton

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



28-09-02 HYDE UNITED 7 TOW LAW TOWN 3 FAC2qr att. 307
Steve Foster hit a stunning first half hat-trick to settle this tie after only 37 minutes. Lee Evans added a fourth just on half time and the Tigers went in 4 - 0 up to leave the North Easterners shell shocked and leave their vocal supporters blaming the officials. Not quite sure why, as they were lucky to have eleven on the field after crude and late challenges on Foster and Dave Nolan had left both players hobbling. 

Nolan kept the same team as Monday with himself at left back. Julian Dowe had reported unfit, Sammy Harris was cup-tied and new signing Jay Anthony was signed after the deadline. Anthony Hargreaves was on the bench but was still suffering from his broken hand. 

The players reported at 10am and had a full training session and then a light lunch in preparation for this important game. No more comments on fitness please, these lads are fit. You are welcome at training if you think not. 

The preparation seemed to do the trick as Foster lobbed Hyde ahead on 7 minutes. Seconds later he could have had two, but probably missed the easiest chance of the four he got. On 36 minutes a screamer and a minute later a tap-in after great work from Paul Ashwell. A superb hat-trick. He had played well in midfield in previous games, but the fans wanted him up-front; the Management team listened and four goals in two games. Congratulations all round! 

The second half was only three minutes old when Ashwell scored with a glancing header. Cue – goalie change for Tow law. More crude challenges and although referee Mark Thornley had a good game, he was perhaps a bit lenient as the tempo increased. Scott Nicholson pulled a goal back on 54 minutes after Peter Crookes had spilled, but Richard Eyre made it six with a great chip after good work by Tom Brookes and Ged Smith. Lee Innes pulled another back with a soft goal and then substitute Mike Lomax conceded a needless penalty and it was 6-3. A few hairy moments for the Tigers followed. Dave Swanick, who had an excellent game, was lucky to see only yellow after a reckless challenge and then a header was cleared off the line. Normal service was soon resumed and Evans scored a good solo goal in the dying seconds to put Hyde in seventh heaven. 

The sting had been taken out of Tow Law but they were still fired up by their supporters and another poor challenge on Evans, right on time, saw him leave the field on a stretcher. 

7500 reasons to be happy. Next time its 10000. Same preparation, same result? Before then we need to take points off Colwyn Bay, Frickley and Bradford or else…..The draw will be on the clubcall line soon after 10.30am Monday – 09066 555 787. 

Hyde – P.Crookes, Mc.Guire, D.Nolan, Crookes, Ashwell, Swanick, Eyre, Evans, Foster, G.Smith, Brookes
Subs – Lomax, L.Smith, Lyons, S.Nolan and Hargreaves.

Tow Law - Sams, Maughan, Bellamy, Young, Liddle, Nicholson,L.Innes, G.Innes, Mc Kenna, Moat, Eccles
Subs – Richardson, Mc Nany, Sinclair, Jones and Fuller


REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



23-09-02 HYDE UNITED 2 LANCASTER CITY 3 UNI att. 301
After the poor performance of last Saturday, the Tigers gave it their all in this game, yet not for the first time came away with nothing as Lancaster snatched a last minute winner. 

Hyde were forced to make changes as Julian Dowe reported unfit and although Anthony Hargreaves was given permission to play by the referee with his hand /wrist strapped up, a fitness test proved too painful and he too was left out. Hyde played a 4-4-2 with Dave Nolan at left back and Steve Foster up front. Fozzie had a superb game. He scored a screamer for the first on fifteen minutes and looked sharp and dangerous throughout. Lee Evans also gave his all ( as always), and the Tigers had a great first half. Shame they could not have taken one or two more chances. 

Right on half time , Lancaster ‘keeper Mark Thornley sustained a knee injury and did not appear for the second half with outfield player Phil Brown taking over in goal. 

However Hyde did not take advantage for the first 20 minutes of the second half as first Andy Whittaker headed home and then Chris Perkins took a well taken goal to put Lancaster in front. The Tigers regained their spirit and all of a sudden the Lancaster goal was under siege. Evans headed home a Nolan free kick on 78 minutes to set up a grandstand finish. Seconds later Nolan rattled the crossbar, but then right at the death, Brian Welch scored with a delightful chip to stun the home side. 

This was a great game with some brilliant football from both sides and it was a shame there had to be a loser. The Tigers played very well, apart from just after the interval, with the resources available, but again had no luck when it mattered. 

Hyde - P.Crookes, Mc. Guire, D.Nolan, D.Crookes, P.Ashwell, Swanick, Eyre, Evans, Foster, G.Smith, D.Nolan. 
Subs – L.Smith, S.Nolan and Lomax 

Lancaster City – Thornley, Fensome, Atkinson, Sparrow, Kilbane, Love, Yates, brown,Whittaker,Welch, Bennett. 
Subs – Haddow, Norbury, and Perkins 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



21-09-02 HARROGATE TOWN 3 HYDE UNITED 1 UNI att. 387
After the euphoria of last Saturday, this has been a dismal week for the Tigers. A poor performance at Gateshead, followed by a not much better one at Harrogate. 

For much of the first half there was not much between the sides. Hyde took the lead on 33 minutes through a Steve Foster penalty after Dominic Crookes had been pushed. But as in so many games before, could not hold onto the lead and right on half time, Clint Marcelle slotted home after he was given too much space in the area. 

Hyde started the second half strongly and Anthony Hargreaves, who was suffering from a damaged hand for much of the game, twice came close. Then probably came the turning point. Harrogate ‘keeper Ashley Connor deliberately handled outside the area. The referee, who seemed to be operating to his own set of rules, gave a yellow card. My FA recommendations say a red card is the correct punishment irrespective of a goal scoring opportunity or not. True to form, Harrogate went down the other end and took the lead through Colin Hunter. Hyde fought back and when Lee Evans was clipped by the fortunate Connor when he burst through and nothing was given, it summed up the Tiger’s day. 

Dave Merris scored a scramer with 3 minutes left to put the icing on Harrogate's day and leave the Hyde players targets of abuse from the travelling fans. Some of this was levelled at debutant, Julian Dowe, which was unfair when he was playing his first match of the season. He was there because Lee Madin had walked out on the club 24 hours earlier. Not the welcome you would expect for a new player. 

There were some good individual performances. The defence despite playing well, contrived to concede three goals and had another couple of close shaves. Steve Foster and David Nolan worked tirelessly in midfield whilst Evans, Dowe and the hampered Hargreaves stuck to their task up front.

Some consistency is urgently needed and to learn form the mistakes of the previous game. Five straight defeats away from home, 15 goals conceded says it all. Dave Nolan has a mammoth task to bring some confidence back to his young team before it is too late.

Hyde - P.Crookes, Mc. Guire, G.Smith, D.Crookes, P.Ashwell, Swanick, Dowe, Evans, Foster, Hargreaves, D.Nolan. 
Subs – Lomax, Eyre and S.Nolan 

Harrogate Town- Connor, Thompson, Kerr, Mc Naughton, Sturdy, Sykes, Farthing, Bonsall, Jackson, Marcelle, Hunter. 
Subs – Merris, Donaldson and Turley 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



18-09-02 GATESHEAD 2 HYDE UNITED 1 UNI att. 146
Another disastrous performance from the Tigers, to heap more pressure on David Nolan and his unchanged team. Saturday had proved to be a false dawn. 

Gateshead had most of the first half. Lee Madin had a couple of gilt-edged chances for Hyde, but it was mainly the high ball tactics of Gateshead causing the problems for the Tigers. They could have taken the lead on 35 minutes when Peter Crookes, scrambling for the ball was harshly adjudged to have fouled Steve Preen, who then took the resultant penalty. Crookes dived to his right to make a great save. Five penalties conceded already this season. 

Just when it looked like Hyde had weathered the storm, Lee Flannigan forced the ball home in first half injury time. A half time bollocking and we expected a rejuvenated Tigers’ in the second half. It was not to be as within two minutes Preen had scored with a cross-shot past Crookes. Gateshead, who had five players booked on the night, continued with their long ball tactics and the Tigers struggled to cope. 

The introduction of Paul McGuire and Tom Brookes strengthened an over-run midfield, whilst, in general, the three central defenders coped well. Slowly but surely Hyde had more of the ball and Steve Foster scored with a great left foot chip with four minutes to go, but it was too little too late for the beleaguered Tigers. They didn’t really deserve anything from the game against, what must be said, a very mediocre Gateshead who had secured their first victory of the season. 

It’s certainly a long way back at 2am in the morning but it did allow the Management team to do plenty of soul searching to put matters right. Time is running out for both them and the team, if we don’t want a season of relegation worries. 

Hyde – P.Crookes, Ashwell, L.Smith, Crookes, S.Nolan, Swanick, Madin, Evans, Foster, Hargreaves and D. Nolan 
Subs - Brookes, McGuire and G.Smith 

Gateshead – Campbell, Reed, Morgan, Bishop, Jones, Mohan, Harrison, Mc. Alindon, Preen, Flannigan and Radigan 
Subs - Goodchild, Colyin and Agnew 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



14-09-02 HYDE UNITED 1 BURSCOUGH 0 UNI att. 257
This was a much improved performance from the Tigers against high flying Burscough, who were yet to concede a goal in the league this season. Well, they did at Ewen Fields. We kept a clean sheet and the fans at last went home happy pinching themselves to confirm it was for real. 

A change of formation, Peter Crookes shaving off his beard ( he has conceded 21 with it!), kicking the ‘right way’ second half and a bollocking from the ‘under-fire’Management team probably all contributed, but overall this was a great team effort. There were some excellent individual performances throughout the team and Hyde fully deserved their victory. 

The goal came on 70 minutes when Anthony Hargreaves shot home when a cross from Paul Ashwell wasn’t cleared. There could have been more goals in the second half as the Tigers swarmed all over the Burscough defence which was ably marshalled by player manager Shaun Teale. Hyde withstood a late rally and the points were safe. 

This looked a more comfortable line up for the Tigers with three at the back and Hyde were further encouraged by the debut ( albeit for one minute) of Paul McGuire , who has been out since the start of the season. Let’s hope we can now build on this at the International Stadium on Wednesday – never an easy place at the best of times! 

Hyde - P.Crookes, Ashwell, L.Smith, D.Crookes, S.Nolan, Swanick, Madin, Evans, Foster, Hargreaves, D.Nolan. 
Subs – Brookes, Mc Guire and G.Smith 

Burscough – Taylor, Underwood, Bowen, Teale, Taylor, Macauley, Lawless, Molyneux, Mc Hale, Norman and Martindale. 
Subs – Barlow, Bluck and Sawtell 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



09-09-02 HYDE UNITED 1 DROYLSDEN 3 UNI att. 371
Another dismal night at Ewen Fields both in terms of weather and football. Hyde left out Mike Lomax and Anthony Hargreaves after Saturday’s debacle and recalled Paul Ashwell and Lee Madin as well as reshuffling the defence. Droylsden were still smarting from Saturday’s nightmare too and goals were always on the cards.

Droylsden started strongly but the Tigers withstood the pressure and took the lead on 28 minutes through the persevering Lee Evans. Hyde held their own for the rest of the half, but it was a different story in the second half as Hyde collapsed (not for the first time this season), and Droylsden took control. 

The equalizer came on 55 minutes when Matthew Rush found himself completely unmarked at the far-post to fire home. Darren Wright added a second on 81 minutes when his cross-cum-shot drifted over Peter Crookes. Right on full time, Droylsden broke clear and Gavin Salmon, one of three former Tigers in the team, added a third. 

This was a dreadful performance from the Tigers to leave them perilously close to a relegation spot so soon in the season. Ten goals conceded in the last three games tells its own story and Dave Nolan must act quickly to stop the slide before it’s too late. 

Hyde – P.Crookes, Ashwell, Woodhead, D.Crookes, S.Nolan, Swanick, Eyre, Evans, Foster, Madin and D.Nolan 
Subs – Brookes, Hargreaves and G.Smith 

Droylsden – Phillips, Rush, Warner, Farley, Burke, Hall, Murphy, Porter, Nazha, Wright and Haarhoff 
Subs - Locke, O’Brien and Salmon 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



07-09-02 ALTRINCHAM 4 HYDE UNITED 1 UNI att.696
On the face of it, this looks an embarrassing defeat, but it doesn’t really tell the true story as Hyde hit the woodwork twice and had two off the line, before Altrincham had even scored. Two goals in injury time gave the score an incredibly flattering look, but at the end of the day the Tigers still conceded four and that must now be worrying David Nolan. 

Hyde dominated the first half and after seven minutes Nolan was put through. His shot was half saved and then cleared off the line. The Tigers were even more unlucky on 27 minutes when, first Nolan hit a post, and then Richard Eyre then hit the rebound against the underside of the bar. 

The second half started in a similar vein and after 58 minutes, the unlucky Nolan again had a shot off the line. Disaster struck two minutes later as Peter Band was put through to slot past Peter Crookes. Nine minutes later Mc.Donald added a second after sloppy defending and the wheels had come off. Dominic Crookes pulled one back on 75 minutes with a crisp shot from the edge of the area – right footed as well! The expected grandstand finish did not materialise and it was Altrincham who snatched two more goals in injury time. First, Neil Ryan hit home a penalty conceded by Dave Swanick who was booked for denying a goal scoring opportunity, and then in the final seconds Chris Young scored after more sloppy defending. 

A disappointing end to a game the Tigers had controlled for at least 60 minutes. However the stark facts are that 4 points from a possible 18 isn’t good enough and it is only by grace of God a couple of teams haven’t got any and lie below us in the league. 

Hyde - P.Crookes, Swanick, Woodhead, D.Crookes, S.Nolan, Lomax, Eyre, Evans, Foster, Hargreaves, D.Nolan. Subs – Brookes, Madin and G.Smith

Altrincham – Moore, Murphy, Scott, Rose, Talbot, Ryan, Woodford, Band, Young, Craney, McDonald. Subs – Maddox, Gallagher and Tunnicliffe 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



02-09-02 HYDE UNITED 1 NORTHWICH VICTORIA 3 CSC att.211
The patched-up Tigers were desperately unlucky in this game. Extra time was looming when Jimmy Quinn went over in the box with two minutes left after a collision with Dave Swanick. It looked harmless enough, but the referee pointed to the spot and Greg Blundell made no mistake. This is the fourth penalty conceded this season and again looked a harsh decision. Blundell sealed it for Northwich seconds later with a great strike to give the scoreline a flattering look.

Hyde, with five players injured and one suspended, had put in a strong second half performance and had numerous opportunities to settle the match before Northwich clinched it. The ageless Quinn had given the Vics the lead on six minutes when he hit home a poor clearance. Lee Evans equalized for Hyde on 25 minutes with a great diving header after good work by Richard Eyre. After that it was an open game with first Northwich coming close on half-time and hitting the bar just after and then Hyde dominating the rest of the game.

Referee, Steve Pardoe finished with six bookings, four for Hyde, but it was never a dirty game although a couple of rash challenges could have been more severely punished. Val Owen was in the Vics side and showed what a good player he is, and what a loss to Hyde.

Overall a disappointing end for the Tigers and yet another game that slipped away. How many times have we said that? The tide has to turn soon. Perhaps at Altrincham? 

Hyde – P.Crookes, Swanick, Woodhead, D.Crookes, S.Nolan, Lomax, Eyre, Evans, Foster, Hargreaves, D.Nolan Subs – Brookes, Lyons and G.Smith

Northwich Victoria – Gibson, Royle, Rioch, Matthews, Ingram, Walso, Taylor, Owen, Blundell, Quinn and Devlin Subs – Norris, Woodward and Garvey


REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



30-08-02 HYDE UNITED 0 EMLEY & WAKEFIELD 1 UNI att.333
This was a dreadful performance and an awful game. Neither team deserved anything really. Wakefield grabbed a goal on half time, when Centre back Paul David flicked home a set piece. 

The nearest Hyde came to scoring was seconds after the interval when a Richard Eyre effort was scrambled clear after a melee on the line. That was about it. Paul Ashwell sustained a broken nose after an elbow incident on the blind side of the referee. The Assistant saw it, but failed to bring it to the ref’s attention. So much for teamwork. Sort of déjà vu from last week. 

Hyde reverted to a 4-4-2 for this game with Lee Evans on the bench. It didn’t work as they never controlled the midfield. The defence looked a bit tighter but then again they were under no pressure. The forwards were completely out of touch but got no service. 

So, all in all, a very disappointing week for the Tigers who desperately need a confidence boosting win on Monday. 

Hyde - P.Crookes, Swanick, Woodhead, D.Crookes, Ashwell, Lomax, Eyre, Hargreaves, Foster, Madin, D.Nolan. Subs – Brookes, Evans and G.Smith 

Wakefield and Emley – Cuss, Nicholson, Robinson,Wilson, Smith, David, Day, Thorpe, Ryan, Reynolds Wood. Subs – Hardy, Manoussios and Rowe 



REPORT BY TONY BEARD



17-08-02 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 4 HYDE UNITED 2 UNI att. 337
On a hot sultry afternoon, The Tigers started well but faded in the second half as two superb strikes from centre forward Lee Ellington secured the points for Gainsborough. 

Hyde started well enough and Ged Smith, who had an excellent game throughout, put them in front on 10 minutes with a great half volley into the roof of the net. The Tigers continued to dominate, but Gainsborough equalised in 28 minutes in a rare attack through Mark Anderson after a neat one-two. David Nolan restored Hyde’s lead two minutes before half time when he hammered home from inside the box. Another right-footer! In injury time, the inconsistent Mr Page awarded a disputed penalty and Luke Staton equalised. No time for the restart , it was so close to half-time. 

Hyde had the blustery wind behind them in the second half but couldn’t make possession into goals and were undone by two excellent goals from Lee Ellington who was given too much time in the box, but turned superbly to find the net and give Peter Crookes no chance with either. How he didn’t win the man of the match, only the Sponsors know? 

The heat began to take its toll and the Tigers, despite battling bravely, never looked like getting back into the game. Gainsborough had a better claim for a penalty than the one they got, but then again we had a strong claim in the first half when Anthony Hargreaves was bundled down. 

The new “ Chryso” balls looked lively and the new rule whereby players must leave the field after treatment, and not return until play has restarted, will both take some getting used to. 

Overall this was encouraging for the Tigers, but four goals conceded is cause for concern. For the record, Gainsborough had nine new faces on show, whilst we had eight! 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



19-08-02 HYDE UNITED 3 BRADFORD PARK AVENUE 1 UNI att. 436
After the disappointment of Saturday, the Tigers bounced back to secure a great victory over a strong Park Avenue side. Just one change from Saturday with Paul Lin replacing Rob Woodhead. 

It didn’t look good for the first 30 minutes though as Bradford took control after Steve Foster had headed against the post on four minutes. The impressive Andy Hayward gave Park Avenue the lead on eight minutes with a shot which bounced down off the crossbar twice before crossing the line – if it did. The assistant referee had no doubt and the Tigers were up against it as Bradford’s long ball tactics troubled the central defence. The new balls are light and encourage long range passing. By the end of the half, however, Hyde had come back into the match and Lee Evans was close with a screamer just over the bar. 

Danny Webster was introduced at half time to replace the injured Dave Swanick with Paul Ashwell moving to right back. Hyde turned up the pressure and on 60 minutes, Webster headed home a corner on his debut. The Tigers were roaring now and seven minutes later, Foster burst through to score in the corner with a fine finish. Some desperate defending was needed now as Bradford stepped up the pace, but the reorganised defence stood firm. Dominic Crookes picked up a rare booking after his own error, but right on time, Lee Madin chased a long ball, kept it in well and squared it back to Ged Smith, who made no mistake to seal the points. 

Overall this was an excellent result for the Tigers with some impressive performances. Webster looked good in central defence in the second half whilst Ashwell made some surging runs from right back. Crookes got over his Saturday nightmare whilst the midfield trio all played well once they had got a grip on the game. The team is looking more confident now and have already laid to rest the thought of a start like last year. Five goals in two games – who needs Yeo? 


P.Crookes, Swanick, Lin, D.Crookes, Ashwell, L.Smith, G.Smith, Evans, Foster, Hargreaves, D.Nolan. 
Subs – Webster, S.Nolan and Madin

Armstrong, Holmes, .James, .Martin, .Stansfield, Mitchell, Quinn, Benn, Hayward,
Maxwell, Prendergast
Subs - Painter, Lindley and Atkinson 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



24-08-02 HYDE UNITED 3 WHITBY TOWN 3 UNI att. 287
This was a strange game. Although Whitby had plenty of possession, Hyde always looked likely winners. That was until referee Mick Bell awarded a harsh penalty against Dominic Crookes, when there seemed no danger, on 69 minutes. Craig Veart made no mistake from the spot and brought Whitby back into the game. 

This set up a grandstand finish and with seven minutes left, Mr Bell awarded another penalty against the unfortunate Crookes after a Whitby player had slipped. Veart made no mistake again and Whitby were level and manager, Harry Dunn couldn’t believe his luck. Mr. Bell later apologised for his decision. The Assistant had confirmed the ref had got it wrong. Why didn’t he say so at the time?

The bizzare end to the game overshadowes what had gone before. Lee Evans put Hyde in front on 13 minutes with a neat header. Lee Madin, playing his first full game, increased the lead on 53 minutes with a sweet shot into the corner after Dave Nolan had put him through. Whitby substitute Lee Ure pulled one back on 61 minutes at the near post, which Peter Crookes probably should have saved. 

Ure continued to cause Hyde all sorts of problems until Madin unleased a screamer from 30 yards into the top corner to give Hyde their two goal cushion again. A candidate for goal of the season already. The Tigers were in control until the first penalty but it went downhill from there. Lack of discipline crept in and four bookings for Hyde ensued. Whitby had three and Skelton was probably lucky to escape with just a caution after a crude challenge on Evans. 

Three games played, four points ( should be six), eight goals for ( highest in league), eight goals against ( next highest in league). You could call it a mixed start. Everything to play for at Worksop. 

Hyde will definitely be without Danny Webster who starts his seven week suspension on Monday. A further appeal has been made to the Cheshire FA as he could miss as many as 21 games including Sunday games. The punishment clearly doesn’t fit the crime. 

Hyde - P.Crookes, Webster, Woodhead, D.Crookes, Ashwell, L.Smith, G.Smith, Evans, Foster, Madin, D.Nolan. 
Subs – Brookes, S.Nolan and Lomax 

REPORT BY TONY BEARD 



26-08-02 WORKSOP TOWN 2 HYDE UNITED 1 UNI att.667 
In the battle of the Tigers, honours were just about even, but it was Worksop who came away with the points as they survived a late mauling from Hyde. Dave Nolan rang the changes after Saturday’s disappointment. Paul Ashwell had a groin strain, Steve Foster was rested, Danny Webster suspended and Paul Lin replaced Rob Woodhead. Anthony Hargreaves and Dave Swanick were recalled and new signing Richard Eyre was on the bench.

Hyde started sluggishly but still had plenty of possession and Lee Evans and Lee Madin both had gilt edged chances to score. As it was Worksop took the lead on 27 minutes when Carl Smith shrugged off his namesake Ged to power a shot past Peter Crookes. It was definitely the day for ‘Smiths’ as we had two, they had three, and, lo and behold, the referee was one too. He, in fact, had a good game but struggled with an injury in the second half.

Worksop increased their lead on 36 minutes after Crookes had made a full length save but could not hold onto the ball and Richard Peacock slotted home.

A half-time rollicking and the Tigers from Hyde came out fighting. Within two minutes, Nolan headed against the bar and although the rebound was scrambled in, there had been an infringement. Hyde continued to have all the play and Eyre was introduced on sixty minutes and made an impressive debut. Steve Foster came on with fifteen minutes to go and within three minutes had pulled one back from the penalty spot after Steve Hawes had handled on the line, and was shown the red card.

A grandstand finish, but Hyde just couldn’t find the finishing touch. On the face of it, four points out of twelve is not brilliant, but we have deserved more and Worksop will be up there at the end of the season, challenging for the league. In most games we have been on top for at least half of the time. We now need to do it for the whole game and the points will come – there are plenty of good footballers in the squad to do it.

Hyde – P.Crookes, Swanick, Lin, D.Crookes, Lomax, L.Smith, G.Smith, Evans, Hargreaves, Madin, D.Nolan Subs – Brookes, Eyre and Foster

Worksop – Mc Carthy, Ludlam, Bernard, Hawes, Linighan, C.Smith, Peacock, Whitehead, Roberts, Beesley, Todd Subs – Kotylo, A.Smith, G.Smith

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