LEAGUE SEASON 2003 - 04
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
03-01-04
HYDE UNITED 0 LEEK
TOWN 1 UNI att. 352
They say championships are not won at Christmas and it’s probably
as well as the Tigers made it three league defeats in a row and four
out of the last five with another inept performance against
hard-working Leek.
Hyde welcomed back Paul Jones and John O’Kane
after suspension and the early signs were good as the Tigers had
plenty of possession but just could not find the killer touch. A
reluctance to shot when in good positions didn’t help and by half
time the honours were just about even.
The turning point in the game was in the 65th
minutes when a disappointing Neil Tolson was brought down in the
box. His resultant spot kick was weak and easily saved by Steve
Hodgson. Two minutes later, Hyde paid the ultimate penalty as Steve
Johnson headed in at the far post to put Leek in front. He
had done the same whilst playing for Stocksbridge earlier in the
season!
From that point on, Leek grew in stature,
whilst the Tigers heads went down. Hyde still managed to create
chances, but until they find a finisher in the box, they are going
to struggle. It was Leek who should have scored again as the highly
rated Phillip Hadland missed an absolute sitter at the death.
Steve Waywell now has a lot to do to motivate his team for the second half of the season. Injuries and suspensions haven’t helped, but too many players are out of form and it is imperative they get back to playing the sort of football that took them to second place. To do that they need Phil Salt at his best and there were signs in this game he was regaining some of his form with some telling through balls, before he was subjected to a horror tackle in the last few minutes from former Tiger Phil Lockett and was carried off. Referee Mr.Roberts only produced a yellow card. One of his many errors of judgment in the game, but the Tigers can only blame themselves. You must take chances when they come.
Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Jones, Gaynor, Hill, Salt, Tolson, Delaney, McNeil. Subs – Buckley, Ellis & Milligan.
Leek Town – Hodgson,
Brough, Hassall, Wooliscroft, Johnson, Roberts, Danylyk, MacPherson,
Hadland, Ridley, Johnson. Subs – Lockett, Macari and Sheldon.
REPORT MARK DRING
10-01-04 BELPER TOWN 0 HYDE UNITED
1 UNI att. 215
The Tigers recorded their first victory of the New Year, to get their championship challenge back on course, after disappointing results over the festive period. The Tigers team was depleted with three key players missing through suspensions. Lee Madin signed for a second spell with the club in midweek from Accrington making his debut.
As the old saying goes that football is a game of two halves, then that is true off this game. Belper could have taken the lead as early as the first couple of minutes with Richie Butler and Darren Roberts going close with headers.
This was the start of a great attacking spell for The Tigers, with Kieran Delaney causing problems on the right for the home defence, he and Neil Tolson linking up, ending with Tolson’s shot blasting over the bar. Nicky Hill hit the post with a header in the sixth minute.
The Tigers took the lead in the 32nd minute when a Kieran Delaney cross into the box was headed back by Tolson for debutant Lee Madin to head home over the keeper.
In the second half The Tigers should have gone 2-0 in front when a Neil Tolson effort hit his shin onto the woodwork with an open goal at his mercy. The home side then started to dominate and could have equalised but for poor finishing and some excellent saves from Tim Mullock keeping the Tigers in the game. Ian Pendlebury also clearing a Wayne Bullimore effort off the line.
There was more good news after the game, with the news that the other sides in the top five had all dropped points. The only black spot of the day was Phil Salt limping off with a recurrence of the injury he picked up against Leek and must make him very doubtful for the game against Stocksbridge on Monday with the squad already down to the bare bones.
Hyde United Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Waine, Hill, O’Kane, Delaney, Salt,
Tolson, Madin , Milligan Subs Buckley , Gaynor , Meszaros
Belper Town Ingham, Hudson, Butler, Crookes, Kennedy, Jones, Gummer,
Bullimore, Collins, Roberts, Ashley, Subs Allsop, Moran, Lambert
REPORT BY MARK DRING
12-01-04 HYDE UNITED 1 STOCKSBRIDGE PS 1 UNI att. 306
Stocksbridge lived up to their
nickname of the “Steelers” as a stole a point from Monday’s
game at Ewen Fields they barely deserved. It could have been worse
as the Tigers were just six minutes from a defeat which would have
been a total injustice, as they put up a great show in a really good
game.
Hyde almost paid the price for a
catalogue of missed chances which should have been the game beyond
Stocksbridge before half-time. In a thrilling first half, man of the
match, Kieran Delaney caused havoc every time he got the ball and
with more controlled finishing could have had a hat-trick. But by
half-time all Hyde could show for their efforts was a stream of
attacks and a couple of strikes on the woodwork. Richard Siddall in
the Stocksbridge goal looked suspect, but was never tested directly.
The second half began the way
the first half ended with Hyde on the attack, but disaster struck on
50 minutes when a long clearance caught the Tigers defence exposed
and Scott Bates couldn’t miss,
although he did his best too!
Stocksbridge then had a good ten
minute spell and the writing looked on the wall for the suspension
and injury ravaged Tigers, but they rallied and a shot was cleared
off the line before Lee Madin struck a post. It looked like one of
those nights until six minutes from time, Neil
Tolson headed home a Jamie Milligan corner. Craig Buckley
then had a chance to seal it for the Tigers but blazed over.
In the end it was a point
rescued, but the Tigers should have won by a mile and dropped home
points could prove costly, come the day of reckoning.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Waine, Buckley, O’Kane,Hill,
Delaney, Tolson, Madin, Milligan
Stocksbridge
Siddall, Knowles, Schofield, Middleton, Hobson, Colley, Ring, Smith,
Curtis,Bates, Hindley
REPORT BY MARK DRING
17-01-04 PRESCOT CABLES 0 HYDE UNITED 1
UNI att. 239
The
Tigers recorded their second successive 1-0 away win with a hard
fought victory over a physical Prescot at Valerie Park. It certainly
wasn’t pretty, but at this stage of the season, and with four key
players missing, it was a great result.
Paul
Jones and Nicky Hill were both suspended, whilst Phil Salt and Matty
Mc Neil were both unfit. All should be back for Saturday’s game
with Wakefield. Things became even worse after 8 minutes, when Jamie
Milligan was the victim of a crude late challenge and was carried
off with a potential serious knee injury. A quiet word in the
offender’s ear was the only punishment from referee Mr. Newell,
who continued to be lenient in the extreme.
Chances
were few and far between in a drap first half and honours just about
even. Steve Waywell’s half-time team talk suggested one goal would
win it and Kieran Delaney duly obliged
on 58 minutes when Neil Tolson headed Ian Pendlebury’s corner
goalwards and he was on hand to slot it home. Minutes earlier Lee
Madin had missed a sitter.
From
then on it was a resolute determined defensive effort from the
Tigers. Tim Mullock looked assured in goal and John O’Kane,
alongside the recalled Anthony Kielthy, needed all his experience to
keep Prescot at bay. Pendlebury had a storming second half too,
continually breaking up moves and using the ball intelligently.
Prescot’s best player was full back Colin Flood, who played on
with a bandaged head after a terrible clash of heads with his own
defender in the first half. He will certainly have gone to bed with
a headache.
As
Prescot pushed forward in the last ten minutes, Tony Ellis came on
for a disappointing Madin and immediately set up two chances. First
Criag Buckley was put through, but could only hit the ‘keeper’s
legs and then Andy Waine was through again and as he rounded the
‘keeper, he was brought down. A clear penalty everybody thought as
Mr Newell stopped play. To cap a bizarre afternoon for himself, he
gave Prescot a free-kick and booked Waine for diving. It was
fortunate the Tigers were already ahead. The final whistle
couldn’t come soon enough.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Kielthy, Buckley, O’Kane,
Delaney, Waine, Tolson, Madin , Milligan
Prescot
Town McMahon, Holmes,
C.Flood, Chadwick, Clark, Mc Guire, Garforth, Taylor, Torpey,
Robinson, Mc Ewan.
17-01-04 MOSSLEY 3 HYDE UNITED 4 MPC att. 251
The
result of this thrilling cup-tie was in doubt until John
O’Kane sealed it thirteen minutes into extra time with a
‘goalden goal’. The Tigers had come back from the dead
after being two goals down with just half an hour left. In
true Tigers style the match should have been won before half-time,
but then two defensive errors early in the second half appeared to
seal their fate, but the never say die attitude, some inspired
substitutions, and a brilliant fightback says it all.
The
Tigers played some great football throughout. Phil Salt was back in
midfield, but it was John Gaynor who took the honours there with a
superb performance until he was injured late on. At the back Nicky
Hill and John O’Kane were supreme but were let down with the ball
constantly given away in front of them. That caused Mossley’s two
second half goals and Craig Buckley paid the ultimate price as he
was immediately substituted and replaced by Andy Waine. It was Waine
that added some grit into midfield with his energetic running and
awesome tackling. Five minutes later leading scorer, Neil Tolson,
was also subbed. It has to be said both he and Bugsy were surprised,
but Steve Waywell had the final word as the Tigers stormed to, what
seemed on sixty minutes, an unlikely victory.
Other
stars for Hyde were Steven Clegg and Kieran Delaney who caused havoc
throughout on the right and were ultimately responsible for bring
Hyde back into the game.
The
Tigers took the lead on 25 minutes when Tolson
headed home. At this stage all was going swimmingly for Hyde, but
eight minutes later an error on the left and former Tiger, Tony
Carroll had a simple task to head home. This gave Mossley
some impetus and they finished the half the stronger.
Hyde
had a couple of early chances in the second half, but it was Leon
Mike who scored a great solo goal on 54 minutes and then
three minutes later added another after the ball had been given
away. Then the subs, but the Tigers were still all at sea, but
slowly but surely the flowing football returned as Mossley hampered
by injuries to Carroll and Alan Bailey went on the defensive.
John
O’Kane pulled one back on seventy minutes after he stroked
the ball home after a melee and then with just eleven minutes left, Lee
Madin scored after the ball had come back off ‘Keeper Phil
Melville. A grandstand finish ensued but no further goals, but
plenty of close shaves.
Hyde
took the upperhand in extra time and missed a stream of chances
until Melville could only touch a screamer from Waine onto the bar,
and as it dropped Golden balls’ best mate, O’Kane,
was on hand to force the ball home, if it wasn’t over the line
already, to give Hyde victory by the Golden Goal. An improbable end
to a great game.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Gaynor, Buckley, O’Kane, Hill,
Salt, Tolson, Delaney, McNeil
Mossley
Melville, Howard, Bradshaw, Phillips, Sheil, Coyne, Heaton,
Tobin, Carroll, Mike, Headley
24-01-04 HYDE UNITED 2 WAKEFIELD & EMLEY 1
CC
quarter final att. 282
Hyde
progressed to the semi-finals of the Unibond Chairman’s Cup, with
a victory over Premier Division Wakefield and Emley, but left it
late to equalize and then just as late in extra-time to seal a fully
deserved victory with a bizarre goal..
The
Tigers welcomed back Paul Jones after his four match ban, but John
Gaynor and long term casualty, Jamie Milligan, were missing from
their wafer-thin squad.
The
match got off to an exciting start and there were chances at both
ends before Robert Tonks shot Wakefield
into a third minute lead. The Tigers then started to dominate, but
just couldn’t find the target. They were not helped by some
eccentric decisions from the referee and he was especially lenient
as Wakefield showed a physical part to their game. Midfielder Andy
Waine appeared to be the target, but he kept his composure well.
The
second half continued where the first had left off with Hyde having
all the play, creating chances, but generally firing over the bar.
Craig Buckley took over from Ian Pendlebury and pushed the Tigers
forward. Waine had a brilliant effort tipped over. Unfortunately for
Wakefield, defender Max Joice kicked his foot as he attempted to
tackle and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle. Lee
Madin was introduced for the last quarter and he added some spark
up-front. The Tigers thought they had equalised on 75 minutes when
Matty Mc Neil rounded the ‘keeper to score, only to be belatedly
flagged for offside. This seemed to be a balacing decision from the
Assistant as the referee had failed to give Wakefield a free kick
seconds earlier. It was the type of decision which can turn games,
but still the Tigers piled forwards.
Neil
Tolson should have had a penalty on 80 minutes as he was pulled back
in the area. No decision this time from the assistant, but with just
four minutes left Tolson rose to head
home. Still time for a couple more chances and then extra time.
By
now it was all Hyde with Wakefield content to defend and play for
penalties. Not for the first time this season the young Hyde side
showed their stamina as the opposition wilted under the pressure.
With just four minutes to go and as Steve Waywell was preparing his
list of penalty takers for the second time in the week, a brilliant
flowing movement from the back, set up Madin. His screaming shot was
going miles wide until it struck Bugsy
on the side of his face to rebound into the far corner of the net. A
large bruise for him, but a winning goal to bring a surreal end to a
match the Tigers should have won by some distance..
John
O’Kane won the man of the match award, but many could have had
justifiable claims to it, especially Steve Clegg and Matty Mc Neil
who caused Wakefield problems down the flanks throughout.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Jones, Waine, O’Kane, Hill,
Salt, Tolson, Delaney, McNeil
Wakefield
Cuss, Nicholson, Selby, Joice, Wood, Bairstow, Tonks,
Washington, Fearon, wilson, Kenworthy.
07-02-04 HYDE UNITED 5
OSSETT TOWN 2 UNI att. 256
Hyde overcame some poor defending and nervousness in front of goal
to ultimately beat a spirited Ossett by some margin. However for
much of the game a victory was not guaranteed and it was only in the
last quarter that the Tigers gained the initiative as Ossett lost
their discipline.
Ossett
opened the scoring on 23 minutes through James
Walshaw, but two minutes later Neil
Tolson headed home a Ian Pendlebury cross. Another two
minutes and Tolson was there again ,
this time to head home Steven Clegg’s cross. Michael Clark in the
Ossett goal look suspect on crosses and Hyde should have had more
goals and the game sealed before Rodney Rowe
rifled an equaliser in first half injury time.
On
60 minutes Steve Waywell shuffled his pack and replaced Paul Jones
with Andy Waine, with Nicky Hill going into the back four and just a
minute later, Tolson completed his
hat-trick when he slotted home a Craig Buckley cross. As Ossett
became increasingly frustrated Robert Nugent was booked for dissent
and a minute later scythed down the irrespressible Matty McNeil, a
second yellow and an early bath. A minute later Waine
was on hand to head home another Pendlebury cross.
It
was now all Hyde and with three minutes to go, Clark hacked down Mc
Neil in the area and was promptly booked. He was probably lucky to
stay on as he had already carried the ball out of the area and
avoided a booking, and then after fouling McNeil, stood on his face,
with Matty having the stud marks to prove it.
Phil
Salt slotted home the penalty to take the Tigers to the top
of the league having learnt Matlock had lost.
Indeed
only Hyde out of the Top 10 had won, so we certainly had gained a
march on our rivals. Let’s hope we can stay there.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Hill,
Salt, Tolson, Delaney, McNeil
Ossett
Town Clark, Hudson,
Brown, Smith, Nugent, Hanby, Bloomfield, Gray, Rowe,
Walshaw,Davidson.
14-02-04 LINCOLN
UTD 2 HYDE UNITED 0 UNI att. 170
Hyde
began as bright as their new flourescent yellow kit and should have
been ahead by a mile by half-time on their first ever visit to
Lincoln. In the programme notes, the Lincoln chairman said that any
crowd over 100 was a bonus, so he must have been pleased that the
visiting Tigers had helped swell it by 70%.
This
was a match the Tigers should have won. They created many chances in
the first half, with Neil Tolson (twice), Matty McNeil and Kieran
Delaney all going close when they should have done better. One off
the line and one off the post was all the Tigers had to show for an
excellent first half performance.
The
rain that had fallen all the way from Leeds became heavier, the
pitch became muddier and Lincoln started the second half in spirited
fashion. Within three minutes Gary Bull
had escaped his marker and put them one ahead. Still the Tigers
pressed forward, but a sloppy free kick on 62 minutes allowed Ian
Williams to intercept and chip Tim Mullock. Although he got
his hand to it, the ball fell agonising over the line. Lincoln then
had a purple ten minute spell, but the Tigers came back strongly ,
but despite chance after chance couldn’t find the net.
The
only good news was that many of the chasing pack had failed to
capitalise.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Jones, Waine, O’Kane, Hill,
Salt, Tolson, Delaney, McNeil
Lincoln
United Conroy, Hone,
Brown, McDaid, Wilkins, Gilbert, Buckthorpe, Bull, George, Williams,
Hall.
17-02-04 ASHTON
UTD 2 HYDE UNITED 1 MPC att. 250
This
was Lincoln all over again. A brilliant first half performance
followed by a mediocre second one and the Tigers paid dearly for
missed chances and defensive howlers. Hyde dominated the first
period and contrived to miss chance after chance. John O’Kane was
the closest as his effort was scrambled off the line. With the
Tigers well on top, a misplaced pass from Steve Clegg
found the speedy Steve Smith. A couple of passes and Brighton
Mugadza, on a rare appearance for Ashton, scored to put them
in front on 23 minutes, completely against the run of play.
It
was still all Hyde and eight minutes later Nicky
Hill , who had a storming first half, scored from Phil
Salt’s excellent free kick. Still time for Hyde to miss more
chances as the front three caused havoc for the slow central
defenders. Foul after foul went unpunished with Neil Tolson coming
in for some rough treatment with little protection from the referee.
Hyde
began the second half in the same vein, but disaster struck on 60
minutes when the unfortunate Clegg
adeptly slotted past Tim Mullock when under no pressure, following a
corner. A Hyde corner in fact, as the ball was swiftly cleared
downfield. The heads went down and in all honesty, Hyde
didn’t really look like getting back in the game. It was a killer
goal.
As
the game fizzled out, Ashton used every time wasting tactic they
could muster, breaking up any continuity whenever they could. Plenty
of injuries and then Darren Royle was booked for persistent fouling
( he must have erred more than a dozen times) and with a stronger
referee would have dismissed long before. Even with more than five
minutes injury time ( should have been at least ten), it was a
disappointing end for the Tigers. Now they must recover
quickly if the season is not going to ebb away.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Gaynor, Jones, Waine, O’Kane, Hill, Salt,
Tolson, Delaney, McNeil
Ashton
United Trueman,
Thackery, White, Allison, Adams, Royle, Fleury, Mugadza, Denney,
Johnson, Smith
21-02-04 HYDE UNITED 1 KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC
UNI att. 288
The
Tigers secured another three points in their quest for the
championship after this dour encounter with Kidsgrove. The injury
ravaged team has to work hard throughout and will be pleased they
have no game midweek. Ian Pendlebury and Kieran Delaney were ruled
out, whilst Nicky Hill was only named as a sub, because we had no
one else.
After
twelve minutes things went from bad to worse as Steven Clegg was the
victim of a late tackle ( for the second time against Kidsgrove).
This time from Chris White and left the ground on crutches.
Showing
scant regard for his injury, Hill was forced to come on and he had a
stormer. He had shown great commitment to the cause and really
epitomised the spirit in the camp.
Hyde
were up against three former players and the ageless Steve Cherry in
goal and the early signs were not promising. The first half, apart
from ‘the’ tackle was instantly forgettable.
In
the second period, the Tigers stepped up the pace and they were
rewarded in the 57th Minute when Debutant , Dale
Johnson, scored with a deft header which left Cherry
foundering. A peach of a goal. Much had been written about him in
the week previously, but he certainly answered the fans in the best
possible way. He was excellent throughout until he tired and was substituted
in the 75th minutes to a great ovation.
Just
a minute after we scored, Tim Mullock, formerly of Kidsgrove of
course, produced the save of the match as he touched the ball onto
the post when all seemed lost. A minute later Craig Buckley burst
through, but was brought down by Glyn Hancock, who was duly booked.
One decision the ref got right. He wasn’t as good with some of the
others, including the Glegg incident.
Hyde
continued to have all the play, but Kidsgrove were still lively on
the break and Darren Roberts should have done better in the last
minute. As it was, the Tigers got the three points they desperately
needed. Like last week many of the chasing pack slipped up, none
more so than Leek who lost at bottom club Kendal Town.
The matches now are becoming increasingly
difficult. Gone has the flowing football of the autumn as teams come
to stop us playing. It is now a matter of securing the points. It
may not be pretty, but the three 1-0 victories in 2004 may
ultimately prove decisive. Remember the other United and Eric?
Hopefully a week’s break will help some of the injuries clear up.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Gaynor, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Johnson,
Salt, Tolson, Waine, McNeil
Kidsgrove
Cherry, Vickers, Eyre, Thomas, Jellicoe, Peet, White, Baker,
Twigg, Roberts, Hancock.
06-03-04 HYDE UNITED 3 KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC 1
CC att. 308
The
Tigers secured a place in the Chairman’s Cup Final at the expense
of a battling Kidsgrove Athletic in front of just 20 more folk than
the league match a couple of weeks ago. It was a shame there was not
more to see it, but the crowd was still more than Droylsdens’ in
their semi and Ashtons’ in the league.
This
was no walkover for Hyde. Kidsgrove put up a spirited performance,
especially in the first half, with former Tiger, Richard Eyre
putting up a great show on the right. Another former Tiger, Julian
Ward missed the best chance of the half when he burst through after
a ricochet off John Gaynor, but Tim Mullock produced a good save.
Seconds early Neil Tolson had struck a post after veteran Steve
Cherry had failed to clear, whilst Gaynor has a screamer inches
wide.
The
second half carried on in the same vein with Ward again missing a
good chance when he headed over from Eyre’s pinpoint cross. It was
anybody’s game and Kidsgrove took the lead on 61 minutes when Danny
Jellicoe poked the ball home
after the Tigers’ defence had failed to clear an innocuous cross.
This proved to be an impetus for the Tigers who immediately stepped
up a gear and eight minutes later that man Tolson
was on hand to slot home an equaliser. Hard to say who got the final
touch, but who cares?
The
Tigers were now roaring with Kidsgrove defending bravely until
Jellicoe hooked McNeils’ leg in the area. A penalty and a sending
off for the unfortunate Jellicoe. Phil
Salt slotted the ball home and
the Tigers were in front and never looked back. McNeil had a great
game tormenting the defence all afternoon, but it is a shame he
cannot find his goal touch. With nine minutes to go, Tolson
burst through and scored a brilliant goal to take his tally to 28
for the season. He should have had more on the day as he miskicked
twice in front of goal, but as they say, you can’t keep a good man
down.
New signing, Wayne Dean make an impressive debut and the Tigers welcomed back Nicky Hill, Ian Pendlebury and Kieran Delaney from injury. In the league, the results went Hyde’s way again. Farsley still look a threat, but it was only a few weeks ago, many teams could overtake us, but one by one they have fell away as they have been playing each other, but now nobody can get more than 57 points if they win all their matches in hand. From our prospective we only have to play 3 in the Top 13, starting with Matlock on Saturday.
Hyde
United Mullock, Gaynor, Pendlebury, Jones, Dean, O’Kane, Hill,
Salt, Tolson, Delaney, McNeil
Kidsgrove
Cherry, Peet, Eyre, Thomas, Jellicoe, Hancock, White, Baker,
Twigg, Burke, Ward.
13-03-04 HYDE UNITED 2 MATLOCK TOWN 1 UNI
att. 557
In
the Top of the Table clash everybody had been waiting for, the
Tigers ultimately defeated a spirited Matlock, but not without a few
scares along the way. The biggest crowd of the season (557) turned
up and although scrappy at times, the match lived up to
expectations. It was played in a good spirit and excellently
refereed by Colina look alike, Jock Waugh. It meant Hyde extended
their lead to four points, with Farsley looking a serious threat
having gone thirteen games unbeaten. However they
are at Bamber on Tuesday, Lincoln on Saturday and then home
to Matlock the following Tuesday. Those three games will go a long
way to determining the title. Everybody else seems to have briefly
threatened and then faded. We have serenely gone about our business
with five wins and one defeat in our last seven games.
Hyde
gave Carl Barrowclough his debut and moved Nicky Hill into defence
and Kieran Delaney into midfield for this important clash. However
it was Matlock who just about shaded a goal-less first half. There
were chances at either end and it was ironic, the leagues’ two
leading goal scorers with
61 goals between them, contrived to miss a couple of chances each.
Hyde also had good claims for penalties
when Will Davies appeared to handle early on and later when the ball
struck the arm of James Lukic.
Early
in the second half, Phil Salt had a 30 yard screamer just wide and
Matty Taylor saved well from Neil Tolson before Phil
Brown put Matlock in front with a great 25 yard strike with
just less than half an hour to go. As in previous games this seemed
to wake the Tigers’ up and Steve Waywell immediately introduced
Wayne Dean and Andy Waine and pushed Delaney up to wide right. Danny
Holland had a chance to make it two for Matlock, before Phil Salt,
who had a very influential game in midfield, picked out Waine
at the far post with 14 minutes left, and he headed down and past Taylor. It was now all Hyde with the
two ‘Waines’ providing much needed impetus. With just six
minutes left, Matty Mc Neil, who had
caused Matlock problems all afternoon, picked up the ball wide left,
beat two men and sent it a scorching cross shot that clipped Steve
Charles and flew into the top corner. The Tigers could have scored
again as Matlock’s challenge had been extinguished and along with
it, possibly their championship hopes.
The
Tigers’ back four all had great games, non more so than John
O’Kane who was superb at the heart of the defence. Salt conducted
matters in midfield, but Hyde lacked a bit in midfield until the
Waine boys arrived. Tolson was Tolse and should have added to his
season’s goal tally, but was still a threat all afternoon, perhaps
spurred on by his pre-match health check suggesting he was
‘overweight’. Salty needed to take ‘more exercise’ and he
certainly got it here as he returned to his early season form. I
think recent one game per week is really helping the Tigers as
opposition, who have been playing more, have been found wanting in
the last quarter.
Hyde
United Mullock, Gaynor, Barrowclough, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane,
Hill, Salt, Tolson, Delaney, McNeil
Matlock
Taylor (M), Bostock, Taylor ( R ), Clarke, Davies, Lukic,
Sissons, Brown, Taylor (S), Holland, Williams.