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
20-03-04 BISHOP AUCKLAND 2
HYDE UNITED 3 UNI att. 172
In
atrocious conditions Hyde battled to the end and came with with
three points from a very muddy and windswept Spennymoor. This was
always going to be a difficult game and not helped by the fact the
Tigers arrived late after a journey slowly passing numerous vehicles
blown over on the A1. Some supporters didn’t even make it at all.
To
make matters worse, Kieran Delaney was ruled out with a back problem
and Bugsy was not available with his father still being seriously
ill. We all hope Craig and his family are back soon. Wayne Dean and
Andy Waine both started with Dale Johnson recalled to the bench.
Spennymoor
was not the most hospitable place on the day with the pitch very
heavy, driving rain across the ground and the tragically burnt out
social club behind the goal with the contents in a nearby skip. But
they had kindly agreed to host the game, when Shildon was ruled
unsafe, and our thanks go to them. The reception was warm on and off
the pitch nevertheless.
Just
when things couldn’t get any worse, Waine lunged in on Alexander
after 11 minutes, a penalty was adjudged (harshly?) which Moore
converted. It was Bishop’s first attack. The Tigers continued to
have all the play and Carl Barrowclough
equalised on 26 minutes after good work by Nicky Hill and the
irrespressible Neil Tolson. It was continuing to be all Hyde, but on
a rare attack Moore caught the Tigers flat-footed and Bayles
converted sweetly three minutes before half-time. Right on
half-time, Hill was fouled on the left
but battled on and his cross drifted into the net for an unlikely
equaliser with Tolson still appealing for a foul!
Hyde
were expected to take the initiative in the second half playing
uphill, but for the first 15 minutes it didn’t materialise.
Barrowclough had pulled a hamstring after only three minutes to be
replaced by Johnson and the Tigers struggled to get into their
rythym on an increasingly heavy pitch. Bishops were playing their
fourth game on a week and eventually it took its toll and the Tigers
finshed strongly. Matty Mc Neil was wreaking havoc on the left,
whilst Johnson was causing problems down the middle, as Hyde slowly
took control.
With
just nine minutes to go on the clock, Hill and Tolson linked up well
and Johnson scored with a crisp finish.
The travelling Tigers’ fans went wild, Bishops had one last fling,
four minutes of injury time to survive, but the tigers hung on for a
great victory and one which may count significantly come the day of
reckoning.
A
slightly better journey home, but the wind still blew us all over
the road, and a touch of sadness as our faithful ‘ JOE 647’ was
making its last journey before being put out to pasture in Hull. A
million miles on the clock and it has taken us to Blyth and Dagenham
and everywhere in –between. Farewell to a good friend!
And
so back to football…63 points accumulated. That’s the total of
the last two seasons put together, which puts this one into
prespective somewhat. Two tough away games to come in the next ten
days with every point vital. We will also need the chasing pack to
keep beating each other to have some breathing space.
Hyde
United Mullock, Gaynor, Barrowclough, Jones, Dean, O’Kane, Hill,
Salt, Tolson, Waine, McNeil
Bishop
Auckland Riches, Rowe,
Mason, Foster, Cogger, Hope, Moore, Robson, Maddison, Bayles,
Alexander
REPORT BY TONY
BEARD
23-03-04 OSSETT TOWN 2
HYDE UNITED 2 UNI att. 145
Hyde
were unlucky not to come away from Ossett with all three points
after another battling performance. The conditions were the exact
opposite of Saturdays’ after a drying wind had left the Ingfield
ground rock hard. The Tigers needed to be at their best against a
physical Ossett side and gained little protection from a lenient
referee
The
build up to the game had been overshadowed by the brutal murder of
Craig Buckley’s father and he was obviously an absentee as was
Craig Barrowclough, who had damaged a hamstring on Saturday. Kieran
Delaney , however, returned
The
Tigers found themselves a goal down after only seven minutes after
some poor defending and a ricochet had allowed Daniel
Davidson to slot home. However Hyde turned on the style for
the rest of the half. Matty McNeil, who
was brilliant throughout, scored seven minutes later at the near
post after good work from Wayne Dean.
After
34 minutes Neil Tolson scored one of
the goals of the season after Dean and Delaney had been part of a
flowing move. He picked the ball up on the edge of the area and sent
a screamer into the top corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any
game and this looked like being the case until two minutes from time
Andy Waine lost possession in midfield, Richard Tracey burst through
and was adjudged to have been brought down by Nicky Hill in the box.
A harsh decision, but David Briggs
converted the penalty to leave the Tigers again rueing earlier
missed chances and sloppy defending.
Hyde
United Mullock, Gaynor, Delaney, Jones, Dean, O’Kane, Hill, Salt,
Tolson, Waine, McNeil.
Ossett
Town Clark, Hudson,
Brown, Price, Nugent, Briggs, Frazer, Tracey, Davidson,Walshaw,
Newton.
REPORT BY TONY
BEARD
27-03-04 HYDE UNITED 1
GUISELEY 0 UNI att. 321
It
wasn’t pretty by any stretch of the imagination, but it is results
which count now and this was mighty important to keep the Tigers
with a five point cushion at the top of the league.
There
was a sombre feel at the start as Craig Buckley and some of his
close family arrived for the minutes silence. It was very moving and
Craig showed great guts in attending. Let’s hope he is playing
again soon.
Hyde
were on top for the first half, but sat back in the second and
finished up hanging on at the finish needing two great saves from
Tim Mullock to keep the lead.
As
usual it should have been all over by the end of the first half with
lots of pressure and chances being missed, but the Tigers had to
wait until seconds before half time to take the lead. Neil Tolson
was pushed to the floor in the area and Phil
Salt converted with ease.
Hyde
lost their rythym after the interval through injuries. Andy Waine
had injured himself with an ill-advised tackle on half –time and
Wayne Dean and Tolson were both replaced with more than half an hour
to go. The first half fluency had gone and it was a backs to the
wall job, but the Tigers held on for the three points, which all
that really mattered. For once the defence stood firm with Paul
Jones and Nicky Hill both playing well. Kieran Delaney could have
made it easier but shot straight at the ‘keeper when clean
through.
With
four or five players injured/unavailable ( John O’Kane also sat
this one out), the physio has a lot to do to keep the bandwagon
rolling at Workington on Tuesday.
Hyde
United Mullock, Gaynor, Pendlebury, Jones, Dean, Delaney, Hill,
Salt, Tolson, Waine, McNeil
Guiseley
Lamb, Coleano, O’Brien, Hay, Parke, Illingworth, Henry,
Chattoe, Jackson, Hogg, Stuart.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
30-03-04 WORKINGTON
1 HYDE UNITED 1 UNI att. 402
Under the starry skies of West
Cumbria on a warm spring evening, the Tigers produced an excellent
performance in what, on paper, was their toughest remaining fixture.
However the real star of the night was Matty McNeil who produced a
five star display after Hyde had to battle back from going a goal
behind on 17 minutes, after John Wharton
had headed in a needless corner.
The rest of the first half was
pretty even with both sides having a couple of chances in an
entertaining game. At half time, Wayne Dean replaced the struggling
John O’Kane and he provided the impetus as the Tigers stepped up
the pace after the break.
The second half was all Hyde. Mc
Neil and Dale Johnson were a constant threat, but when the goal came,
it was from substitute Tony Ellis, who
with his first touch, deflected the ball past Neil Thompson.
Thirteen minutes remained for the injury hit Tigers to press home
the advantage, but despite some close shaves, Workington hung on.
This was a tough encounter, but
once again Hyde showed what they were made of, and by the finish,
were desperately unlucky not to come away with all three points. A
number of players are carrying knocks, but hopefully most will be
fit for Saturday. Definitely missing though will be John O’Kane,
Andy Waine and Neil Tolson who all have potential longer term
injuries, whilst Steve Waywell hopes to welcome back Craig Buckley
after his recent family tragedy.
Hyde – Mullock, Clegg,
Pendlebury, Jones, Gaynor, O’Kane, Hill, Salt,
Johnson, Delaney, McNeil.
Workington –
Thompson, Gray, Wharton, Varty, Henney, Lynn, Ennis, McCluskey,
Murray, Archibald, Johnston.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
03-04-04 HYDE UNITED 3
BELPER
TOWN 1 UNI att. 266
The starry skies of West Cumbria
had been replaced by rain lashing down which probably put a dent in
the crowd. It was a really disappointing 266. The stay-away fans are
certainly staying away much longer than anticipated. It can’t be
blamed on form – top of the table -
with just one league defeat in the last 12 games and just two
home league games left.
The team basically picked
itself. It was the eleven fit ones. Tony Ellis was on the bench but
struggling, Tolse was there in name only (and to direct operations
from the dug-out), and Mike Meszaros was a late call up. Could
things get any worse? Well they certainly did. Within fifteen
minutes both Ellis and Meszaros were on. Carl Barrowclough had a recurrence
of his hamstring injury in his first game back and Ian Pendlebury
was stretchered off with a bad ankle injury. It was debatable as to
whether it was an accident. The ref thought so, the players did not.
News late on Saturday from Tameside suggested there was no
break. Some relief.
And so to the game. Dale Johnson
and Matty Mc Neil ran the Belper defence ragged all afternoon. Both
were superb with former favourite Dominic Crookes not able to keep
tabs on the lightning pair. Johnson had a great effort scrambled
away on 12 minutes by former Stalybridge ‘keeper Gary Ingram
pretty damn close to the line. The Tigers pressure increased (with a
completely different formation from the one which started) and it
was no surprise when Mc Neil headed
home on 37 minutes.
In the second half, Belper had
more possession, but the Tigers still looked likely to score
everytime they attacked. Johnson scored
a great opportunist goal on 65 minutes after Ingram hesitated, not
for the first time. The persevering Meszaros
completed the rout on 85 minutes with a well taken goal. It could
have been more, but in the circumstances the whole team had done
exceptionally well. Sean Gummer pulled
one back at the end, but a win was assured. Can the injury ravaged
Tigers get through the last four games is the question on
everybody’s lips? Most of the injuries appear to be long –term.
Let’s hope we can patch a couple up.
Hyde
- Mullock, Clegg, Pendlebury, Jones, Dean, Gaynor, Hill,
Salt, Johnson, Barrowclough, Mc Neil. Subs –
Ellis, Meszaros, Tolson
Belper Town – Ingram, Hogg, Thornhill, Crookes, Kennedy, Ashley, Simpson, Gummer, Lambert, Stubley, Lyons Subs Roulston, Hurrell, Howarth
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
07-04-04 HYDE UNITED 1
LEEK TOWN 0 CC
final 1st leg att. 266
The Tigers gained a priceless one goal
advantage for the 2nd Leg, but it could have been so
different as Tim Mullock saved a
penalty in the last ten minutes to preserve the Tiger’s lead.
Seconds later David Mac Pherson, who had missed the penalty, had another
chance, but he contrived to miss and leave the second leg delicately
poised.
It was a very entertaining game but
Hyde failed to press home the advantage after Dale
Johnson, again impressive, had given them the lead on 33
minutes. Earlier Phil Salt had hit the base of a post following a
free-kick for handball. An earlier incident in the area had been
missed by the disappointing officials. Salt was again involved on 40
minutes when he was a victim of a dreadful tackle from behind by
Wayne Johnson. The referee saw fit to show yellow, when for most
others it would have been red. Johnson escaped again later when the
referee opted for just a chat when another card seemed likely.
The second half was full of open football with Johnson and Matty McNeil frequently linking up well and causing all sorts of problems for the overworked Leek defence. Mc Neil was impeded in the area, but the referee, poorly placed, waved away appeals.
Leek stepped up the pressure in the last
quarter and Hadland hit the bar with a screamer. Then the referee
having failed to see a push on Paul Jones awarded a harsh penalty
against John Gaynor for handball. Justice was seen to be done as Mullock
dived to his left to save. There was still time for Hadland to miss
a sitter, but the Tigers held on.
Hyde were pleased to welcome back Craig Buckley and he had a storming game alongside John Gaynor and Salt in midfield. The patched up Tigers had done well and hopefully some of the injured stars will be available for the second leg.
Hyde
- Mullock, Clegg, Gaynor, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Hill,
Salt, Johnson, Dean, Mc Neil.Subs – Ellis, Meszaros, Tolson
Leek Town – Hodgson, Brough, Sucharenycz, Wolliscroft, Johnson, Ridley, Danylyic, MacPherson, Hadland, Frost, Cartwright. Subs Macari, Taaffe, Hassall
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
10-04-04 CHORLEY
1 HYDE UNITED 0 UNI att. 291
This was always going to be a difficult game
for the Tigers. The fact that Chorley had changed their manager
midweek added to the difficulty and when the Tigers rolled up with
only nine fit men, the afternoon could get no worse. But it did and
Hyde lost to a solitary goal midway through the second half. It was
only Hyde’s second league defeat in the last thirteen outings, but
it couldn’t have come at a worst time with Matlock ( now top on
goal difference) and Farsley recording easy victories. How we needed
a win at Victory Park!
John O’Kane patched up last Wednesday was
unfit, whilst Steven Clegg had food poisoning. Hyde welcomed back
Neil Tolson and Kieran Delaney, but neither were fully fit. John
Gaynor limped off at half-time to be replaced by only a partially
fit Tony Ellis. Matty McNeil started at centre forward, finished at
centre half, but was absolutely superb, as was Wayne Dean. You could
not fault the effort, but this was a game too far. Too many players
were missing and those who did play were generally out of position,
and/or injured.
This was a game of few chances. Chorley
battled for their lives and were rewarded on 63 minutes when a Lee
Ashcroft free-kick got a deflection into the net. The Tigers
fought as best they could. There were some close shaves on Graham
Bennett’s goal, but it was one of those days and best soonest
forgotton.
Who will be fit for Monday is anybody’s
guess, but the skills of the physio and management team will be
tested to the full this weekend. Only a victory will do on Monday
night, but who will be able to take part is anybody’s guess.
Hyde
- Mullock, Delaney, Gaynor, Jones, Buckley, Tolson, Hill,
Salt, Johnson, Dean, Mc Neil.Subs – Ellis, Meszaros, Barrowclough
Chorley – Bennett, Clitheroe, Pryers, Hogam, Mc Cartney, Bates, Mills, Vermiglio, Ashcroft, Queely, Eatock. Subs Mason, Edgington, Butterworth
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
12-04-04
HYDE UNITED 3
BRIDLINGTON 1 UNI att. 346
Inspired second half substitutions by Steve
Waywell (not for the first time) kept the Tigers’ title
aspirations on track in this toughest of games. The scoreline
flattered the Tigers as Bridlington played especially well and
probably deserved something from the game. To compound matters for
them, keeper Chris Hill was unfortunately taken to hospital with a
suspected broken leg trying to prevent Hyde’s second goal. It is,
of course, results that count now, but the Tigers certainly left it
late and pulled something out of the fire when all seemed lost. The
only disappointing factor was another poor crowd (especially as some
Juniors had discounted tickets) on an evening when the only contra
attractions were Fulham v. Blackburn pay per view and a gay kiss on
Coronation Street.
Hyde welcomed back some of the walking wounded
and took the initiative from the start and took the lead on 13
minutes when Craig Buckley put a good ball into the area for Dale
Johnson to side foot home. His 5th goal in nine
matches. The Tigers could have had more, but it was Tim Mullock on
35 minutes who produced a great save to prevent Jamie Richards
equalising. Right on half time, Johnson was through on goal, but his
shot was inches wide.
Bridlington came back strongly in the second
half and David Ingram equalised on 50
minutes after the Hyde defence had allowed the impressive Paul
Palmer to turn. It was now Brid’s turn to take the initiative and
the Tigers had to defend strongly helped by a couple of excellent
saves from Mullock.
Wayne Dean was introduced on the right to
replace John Gaynor, who had been caught by an arm, and he was the
first of Steve’s inspirations. He immediately started running at
the defence and causing havoc everytime he got the ball. He combined
well with Matty McNeil on 70 minutes and between them, they were
unlucky not to score, as was Steven Clegg with the follow-up. With
time running out, Kieran Delaney was introduced for Neil Tolson
(inspiration No.2) and he, too, began causing problems for the now
overworked Brid defence.
With just six minutes left, Mc Neil superbly
jinked past Andy Taylor on the right, headed for goal and put in an
inch perfect pass into the path of Dean
who managed to find the net with the help of a deflection. The
‘keeper was injured in the process and sadly left the field on a
stretcher. Brid’s resistance was broken at last. Delaney
burst through to hit a post and then seconds later with the defence
in turmoil, he linked up well with Johnson to shoot into an empty
net. All’s well that ends well, but the Tigers had certainly left
it late.
With Matlock winning too, it is down to the last two games, with Farsley waiting in the wings for any slip-ups. Hyde have got to hope that Brid show the same passion on Saturday and beat Matlock, whilst we have to beat Rossendale. As we have said for weeks, there will still be some more twists and turns to come!
Hyde - Mullock, Clegg, Gaynor, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Hill, Salt, Tolson, Johnson, Mc Neil Subs - Dean, Delaney, Barrowclough.
Bridlington Town – Hill, Thompson, Taylor, Baker, Harper, Suddaby, Ingram, Heath, Palmer, Richards, Underwood. Subs – Burdick, Harrison, Lewis
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
14-04-04
LEEK TOWN 0 HYDE
UNITED 1 CC Final
2nd leg att. 455
Hyde
started strongly at Leek in the 2nd Leg of the Chairman’s Cup at
Leek determined to improve on their one goal advantage from the
first leg. Dale Johnson had already gone close, before Paul Jones
headed against the bar on 27 minutes. Two minutes later, Neil Tolson
squared a free-kick to Phil
Salt, who hit a screamer into
the top corner to give the Tigers a two goal advantage and a
critical away goal. Johnson had two more chances in as many minutes
to settle the game, but was just wide.
Sadly the
influential Salt had to leave the field before half-time with a knee
injury, but by then the Tigers were in control and never looked
likely to lose. With a number of players still struggling with
knocks, the team still chased and harried and never allowed Leek to
get into their stride.
The game fizzled
out in the second half with Hyde, playing their sixth game in twelve
days, defending deeply and absorbing everything Leek could throw at
them. Nicky Hill, replacing the rested John O’Kane, and Jones
formed a formidable partnership in the centre of defence, whilst Tim
Mullock handled superbly behind them. As both teams tired, the
Tigers found the extra reserves they needed and after Kieran Delaney
had gone close, the energetic Wayne Dean was only inches wide from
the goal of the season as the threat from Leek diminished to give
Hyde a fully deserved victory over the two legs.
It was fitting
that Craig Buckley, after his recent troubles, should lead the team
up to collect the cup after a brilliant performance on a difficult
pitch. With the first part of the double completed, it is now the
championship trophy, which Steve Waywell would dearly love to win.
Hyde
- Mullock, Clegg, Gaynor, Jones, Buckley, Dean, Hill, Salt, Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil
Subs - O’Kane,
Delaney, Barrowclough.
Leek
Town – Hodgson, Wooliscroft, Hassall, Ridley, Johnson, Sucharewycz,
Danylyk, Haddrell, Hadland, MacPherson, Cartwright.
Subs – Macari,
Taaffe, Sheldon.
REPORT BY TONY
BEARD
17-04-04
ROSSENDALE UNITED 1 HYDE
UNITED 2 UNI att. 225
This was a strange game. After
the first 20 minutes the Tigers should have been ahead by a mile. By
half time they were wilting and by the middle of the second half,
panic and hysteria had set in. Fortunately for the Tigers Phil Salt
was on top of his game and struck two well taken penalties to secure
victory for the nervous Tigers.
It started ever so well with
Mark Molyneux in goal for Rossendale, but only long enough for him
to bring down Neil Tolson and take an early bath. Very early, in
fact. Nine minutes. Salty did the
business from the spot. Phil Bayliss took over in goal and was
tested immediately as Tolson struck the bar. Dale Johnson had the
ball in the net, but was ruled offside and it seemed just how many
the Tigers would score. Bayliss suddenly became Peter Shilton,
saving everything which came his way, and doubts crept into the
Tigers play, as Rossendale fought back with their ten men.
Chris
Brooks scored an unlikely equaliser and the Tigers had it all
to do. Only Salty and Tim Mullock were sane, whilst the rest of the
boys suddenly stopped playing and doubts crept in. Eventually John
O’Kane got the boys going with Kieran Delaney introduced to add
some pace on the right. However it was a disputed penalty on 67
minutes which decided the game. Johnson was baulked as he ran
through and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Rossendale
were enraged and Jim McCluskie was sent from the bench for arguing. Salty
made no mistake for his third goal in three days. What will he do
when he is fit?!
There was still time left for
some hairy moments and time too for the antagonistic Greg Challender
to elbow Tolse. Lucky to only get a yellow, but for the second
league match running, all well that ends well and now the destiny of
the title is in our hands. Just one more victory needed. Easy when
you say it like that. I guess it won’t be!
Hyde
- Mullock, Clegg, Dean, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Hill, Salt, Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil
Subs - Gaynor,
Delaney, Barrowclough.
Rossendale
– Molyneux, Perkins, Bayliss, Gamble, Fitzsimmons, Challender,
Clarke, Brookes, Barker, Robinson, Norton.
Subs – Dalton,
Beard and McCluskie.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
24-04-04 HYDE
UNITED 4 NORTH FERRIBY UNITED
0 UNI att. 618
The Tigers made sure of the
First Division Championship with a champagne performance in front of
a bumper crowd boosted by 76 ladies who had taken advantage of the
free admission. The weather was gorgeous and the pitch in prestine
condition. All was set for a memorable afternoon.
However it had been a tense
week, but it was probably the faithful who were more nervous by
kick-off time. Many had woke up early and couldn’t go back to
sleep. The players were in confident mood, however, after being
given the week off from training and only meeting for a Megabowl
session on Thursday.
Within ten minutes, the Tigers
could have been four up, but the goal didn’t come until 29 minutes
when Matty McNeil headed home.
‘keeper Paul Sharp clawed the ball back, but an alert assistant
gave the goal. It transpired he was spot –on. More chances were
created from the flowing football, but the Tigers finished the half
with only one goal to show for their efforts.
Nicky Hill had to be replaced at
half-time by the fit again Ian Pendlebury, and North Ferriby had a
good ten minute spell at the start of the second half. Fortunately
for Hyde Tim Mullock was again in top form and kept the
Humbersideans at bay. Another goal would seal it and it came on 60
minutes. Pendlebury curled a free-kick, Sharp could only turn it
onto the post, McNeil crossed the ball back in, and Dale
Johnson slotted home. It was nothing less than he deserved as
the big occasion had affected his goal touch. The rest of his play
was superb.
The Tigers were now home and
dry. Craig Buckley, seemingly supported by half of Salford, come off
to a standing ovation as did Johnson ten minutes later, but not
before he had been brought down by the unfortunate Sharp. Phil
Salt slotted home the pen, for his fourth goal in the last
three games. They say you can’t keep a good man down and who else,
but Tolse, popped up to knock in the
fourth for his 30th of the season, after a great run by
Wayne Dean.
It was time for the celebrations
to start. A conga around the ground led the way. Gus wore the
biggest kaftan ever seen and ‘Podge’ prompted many to start an
immediate diet. But who cared, the players had done the business
when it mattered and fully deserved the championship. The humble
John O’Kane collected the trophy and
what an inspiration and true professional he has been.
Paul Jones was rightly awarded
the man of the match award, but on the day, there were many
contenders. The celebrations will be short-lived however as the
Tigers travel to Ashton on Tuesday for the first play-off. The
winners will meet the winners of Bradford PA and Spennymoor at home
next Saturday.
Hyde
- Mullock, Clegg, Gaynor, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Hill, Salt,
Tolson, Johnson, Mc Neil
Subs - Dean,
Delaney, Pendlebury.
North Ferriby United
– Sharp, Moore, Farley, Foot, Hobson, Botham, Hartley, Wood,
Fothergill, Bradshaw, Gowen.
Subs – Dewhurst,
Northern, Waller.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
27-04-04 ASHTON UNITED 2 HYDE UNITED 1 A.E.T. CON NORTH Play off att. 578.
The
dream season from Hyde United came into an end in extra time at
windswept Hurst Cross as Ashton went through in a pulsating game
which didn’t finish until 10.30pm. The Tigers deserved more as
they had been on top for much of the game and with more finesse in
front of goal, could have sealed it early on.
Neil
Tolson, struggling within a knee injury gave Hyde the lead on 17 minutes when he ran through the static Ashton
defence, rounded ‘keeper Danny Trueman, and slotted home. For the
rest of the half, Hyde were in control, but just couldn’t get an
all important second goal.
Ashton upped the pace in the
second half, but Dale Johnson, man of the match, and Matty McNeil
were still wreaking havoc at the heart of the Ashton defence. Tolson
had a chance to seal it after a Trueman clearance hit Lincoln Adams
full on. He left the field wrapped in foil on a stretcher, only to
reappear two minutes later apparently none the worse for wear. Steve
Smith scrambled an equaliser with eighteen minutes to go to
set up a grandstand finish. Either
team could have won it, with Hyde looking the marginally stronger.
Hyde still pressed forward in
extra-time, but right on the break, Adams
headed home after the Tigers defence had failed to deal with a
corner. Fifteen minutes were left to pile forward. At times they had
five attackers peppering the Ashton goal. Darren Royle limped off
and with all subs used, Ashton had to fight on with ten men. Carl
Barrowclough could have snatched an equaliser at the death, but
Ashton man of the match Trueman scrambled the ball away and Hyde
were left to rue, what might have been.
Things hadn’t started well for
Hyde with Nicky Hill breaking down in the warm up and things got no
better in the game, with referee Mr. Nicholson well behind play when
it mattered, and not helped by his assistants. But it has still been
a great season for the Tigers with a League and Cup double and they
put a lot into the game and could walk off with their heads held
high after a brilliant performance
Hyde
- Mullock, Clegg, Gaynor, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Pendlebury,
Salt, Tolson, Johnson, Mc NeilSubs - Dean, Delaney, Barrowclough.
Ashton United
– Trueman, Thackery, White, Allison, Adams, Royle, Fleury, denney,
Miller, Dormer,Smith. Subs
– Cooney, Carty, Johnson.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD