LEAGUE SEASON 2004 - 05
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
27-08-04
HYDE UNITED 4 GATESHEAD
0 UNI att. 210
Hyde started the new season where they left off last year with an
emphatic victory over Gateshead. The visitors were at the end of a
traumatic two weeks after it had been announced they were unlikely
to start the season. Manager Derek Bell had valiantly struggled to
keep the club afloat and with the promise of new sponsors on board,
Gateshead made the long journey south. By half –time, he probably
wondered whether it had all been worth it as the Tigers had stormed
into a three goal lead, which could easily have been doubled.
The Tigers opened the scoring on nine minutes when Matty McNeil, who had a superb game, set up Dale Johnson to score. More chances came and went, but it was not until the 40th minutes that Wayne Dean scored from close range. Right on half-time the irrepressible Mc Neil made it three after good work by Carl Barrowclough.
Gateshead defended deeper in the second half, but maintained only thee men at the back which gave the Hyde front men plenty of space and how well they used it. Neil Tolson, struggling with knee problems, replaced Johnson and was soon in the action with a couple of chances. As the game progressed, Gateshead began to wilt and after more chances had been missed, Tolson popped up, with the aid of centre back James Curtis, to score Hyde’s fourth.
Hyde were without midfield general Phil Salt, who may need a cartiledge operation, but Chris Lynch moved into midfield and proved an able deputy.The Tigers defence were never really troubled, although Tim Mullock produced a couple of fine saves when it mattered. All in all a most satisfactory start for the Tigers, but I think there will be sterner tests ahead. The only disappointment on the day was the sparce attendance of just 210. The Tigers and their style of football deserve many more.
Hyde – Mullock, Brough, Hill, Jones, Gaynor, O’Kane, Dean, Lynch, Barrowclough, Johnson, Mc Neil. Subs Buckley, Waine, Tolson
Gateshead – Connell, Smith, Atkinson, Flynn, Curtis, Colligan, Robson, Miley, Taylor, Garwood, Weatherley. Subs Martin, Hargreaves, Coia
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
24-08-04 PRESCOT CABLES 0 HYDE UNITED 1 UNI att. 186
The storms which had wreaked havoc throughout
the North West on Tuesday by-passed Prescot to enable the game to go
ahead and Hyde were certainly pleased they had.
A brilliant performance from the Tigers ensured three points and continued their promising start to the season. The midfield three covered very inch of the lush turf and continually fed the Tigers front-men of Dale Johnson, Matty McNeil and Carl Barrowclough who all ran the physical defence ragged. Johnson was the real star with his excellent control and blistering pace. Twice he burst through, only to be thwarted by the legs of ‘keeper Phil Priestley. Other chances came and went and by half time, Hyde should have had the game won.
The second half followed a similar pattern
until the 60th minute, when Lee Brough lunged in and
referee Commins, who had an erratic game, pointed to the spot.
Former Wrexham and QPR Player, Karl Connerley took the penalty, but
Tim Mullock dived to his left to make a superb one-handed save. This
proved to be the turning point as the Tigers turned the screw.
Hyde scored the all important goal seven
minutes later when Paul Jones scored
with a great header from a Barrowclough corner. A few shaky moments
thereafter, but the Tigers defence, impressive throughout, stood
firm with Mullock handling well in the greasy conditions.
Overall this was a superb win for the Tigers in
inhospitable surroundings and convinced any sceptics that they
certainly mean business again this season. Whitby manager, Harry
Dunn, was left with plenty to think about for Saturday’s game on
his long drive home.
Hyde – Mullock, Brough, Hill, Jones, Gaynor, O’Kane, Dean, Lynch, Barrowclough, Johnson, Mc Neil. Subs Buckley, Waine, Tolson
Prescot – Preistley, Holmes, Flynn, Chadwick, Jones, McGuire, Garforth, Taylor, Robinson, Connerley,Garner. Subs Mc Nutt, O’Donnell, Prescott
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
28-08-04
WHITBY TOWN 1
HYDE UNITED 1 UNI
att. 289
The injury ravaged Tigers battled bravely at
Whitby and fully deserved their point and by the finish were
probably unlucky not to come back with all three. Ruled out before
the kick-off were Phil Salt (cartiledge) and Steven Clegg (glandular
fever) and just 28 minutes into the game Hyde had lost Carl
Barrowclough with hamstring trouble and Lee Brough with a foot
injury. Other knocks were had in a bruising encounter, but it was
never a dirty game
It was always going to be tough at Whitby, but
the Tigers showed excellent spirit in adversity. Matty Mc Neil was
man-handled all afternoon and given no protection from an
ineffective referee, Mr Barber, who to his credit, tried to keep the
game flowing, but did not act when it mattered with Hyde feeling
that his ineffectiveness had led to some of the injuries.
The re-shaped Tigers held their own in the
first half, but conceded a goal right on half-time when Liam
Gildea slotted home. It was hard on Hyde, but the Tigers
bounced back in the second half and pushed Whitby hard. Neil Tolson,
Mc Neil and Dale Johnson had all gone close before Johnson
spun in the area and fired past Ben Escritt in the Whitby goal for a
deserved equaliser with just seven minutes left.
A grandstand finish ensued with Tolson going
close for Hyde, but in the end it was a point won rather than two
lost but left Physio Danny Crawford plenty to do before Monday’s
game.
Man of the match for Hyde was Paul Jones who held the defence together, whilst John Gaynor and a revitalised Craig Buckley ran him close in the second half as Hyde took control.
Hyde – Mullock, Brough,
Hill, Jones, Gaynor, O’Kane, Dean, Lynch, Barrowclough, Johnson,
Mc Neil. Subs Buckley, Waine, Tolson
Whitby – Escritt, Obern, Lynch, Williams, Nicholson, Bishop, Farthing, Gildea(A), Ormerod, Robinson, Gildea(L). Subs Jackson, Yale, Linighan
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
30-08-04
HYDE UNITED 1
MARINE 0 UNI
att. 360
Steve Waywell had to call back Jamie Milligan from Fleetwood as the injury crisis continued at Ewen Fields and by the end of the game was certainly glad he had as Jamie scored a fantastic Beckham style free-kick to secure the points for the Tigers
This was a pulsating game from the start.
Marine played in their traditional style. Quick to the ball,
uncompromising and dangerous on the break and Hyde had to match them
to stay in the game. Marine just about shaded the first period, but
the Tigers matched them in a half of few chances.
Hyde were in danger of being overrun in
midfield in the scond half as Marine upped the tempo. It was then a
Waywell masterstroke which changed the game. Neil Tolson was
replaced by Milligan as the Tigers went 4-4-2 and slowly Hyde began
to dominate the midfield. A couple of half chances at either end
before Hyde, with just thirteen minutes left, were awarded a free
kick 25 yards from goal and pretty central, The ref helped by
insisting the wall was a full ten yards back and up strode Milligan
to score a screamer into the top corned. Former Tiger, Peter Crookes
in the Marine goal had no chance. Fortunate for Hyde the match was
videoed and this will certainly be a goal to savour.
Marine pressed forward in the search of an
equaliser, but Tim Mullock again performed well in the Tiger’s
goal as the Hyde defence stood firm. Both defences were on top in
this game and it had to be something special to break them down. In
the end it was Milligan’s wonder strike which clinched it and the
three points for Hyde.
Man of the match for Hyde was John Gaynor,
drafted in at right back as a replacement for Lee Brough. With four
frontline players injured this was a great result for the Tigers,
especially as Marine looked to be potential front-runners on this
show. A couple of tough game ahead though with the long trip to
Bridlington on Saturday followed by the visit of Leek on Monday
night.
Hyde – Mullock,
Gaynor, Hill, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Dean, Lynch, Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil. Subs - Ellis, Waine, Milligan
Marine – Crookes,
Murphy,Byrne, Connolly, Randles, Black, Kay, Whitehall, Scully,
Dolan
Subs - Taylor, Ellison, Culshaw
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
04-09-04 BRIDLINGTON TOWN 1 HYDE UNITED 2 UNI att. 211
Hyde came back from a very warm Bridlington
with three well deserved points, but they actually made harder work
of it than it needed to be. Having gone in front with the aid of Neil
Tolson’s knee in the 50th minute, the Tigers
allowed Bridlington back into the game on 60 minutes , when the
assistant referee intervened and gave Bridlington a free kick. The
ball was floated in and substitute Gareth
Collinson knocked the ball home.
This gave the Tigers some impetus and the
introduction of Jamie Milligan gave Hyde a better shape and within
three minutes of his introduction, Tolson latched
on to a John Gaynor clearance and rifled the ball home. He was
substitued five minutes later to allow his injured knee to recover,
but he had done his job by then.
There were few chances in a match to forget.
Both ‘keepers made one good save a piece in the first half, and
Mullock handled well in the second when the pressure was on. It was
certainly a match to forget and also probably for the referee who
had a nightmare. It started early when he booked Wayne Dean for his
first foul, but then failed to take action against any of the
Bridlington defenders who fouled the Hyde front three with great
regularity. He capped a totally inept performance in the last minute
when Dale Johnson was hacked down crudely outside the area by the
‘keeper. He blew for the foul and then decided to blow the final
whistle with no action ( or words) with the ‘keeper. He should
have sent him off, but like most of the key decisions in the game,
he ducked the issue.
Nevertheless it was three points for the Tigers and you cannot do better than that. Bridlington, it must be said, were a pale shadow of the team that pushed Hyde all the way on Easter Monday at Ewen Fields.
Hyde – Mullock, Brough,
Hill, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Dean, Gaynor, Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil. Subs Lynch, Waine, Milligan
Bridlington – Baxter, Suddaby, Robinson, Underwood, Fisher, Heath, Blake, Thacker, Palmer, Fell, HarrisonSubs Harper, Collinson, Baker.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
06-0904 HYDE UNITED 1 LEEK TOWN 1 UNI att. 419
Hyde’s unbeaten start to the season continued
at Ewen Fields on Monday against Leek Town. The Tigers looked likely
to take all three points, until substitute David
Whittaker, so often a thorn in Hyde’s side, snatched an
injury time equaliser. It was no less than an impressive Leek side
deserved, but nevertheless the Tigers will still be disappointed to
concede such a late goal.
The Tigers took the lead on eight minutes when
Matty Mc Neil flicked on a long throw from Lee Brough and Neil
Tolson hooked the ball home. The rest of the half Leek
pressed forward, but the Hyde defence stood firm, with Paul Jones
outstanding.
Leek continued to have more of the possession
in the second period, but Hyde continued to close them down quickly.
Chances came at either end with both ‘keepers making impressive
saves. Dale Johnson has a chance to double the Tiger’s lead, but
Mark Cartwright produced the save of the game.
Enter Whittaker and in the first minute of
injury time he pounced to take advantage of a rare Tim Mullock
mistake to score a deserved equaliser. There will still time for
Tolson to lob over the bar when well placed, but in the end the
Tigers had to settle for a point having generally been second best
on the night.
Hyde – Mullock, Brough,
Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Lynch,Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil. Subs Buckley, Waine, Dean
Leek Town – Cartwright, Yates, Wooliscroft, Brown, Heathcote, Cartwright, Johnson, Mac Pherson, Butterworth, Frost, Eyre Subs Whittaker, Heathcote, Johnson.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
11-09-04 HYDE UNITED 1 LINCOLN UTD 1 UNI att. 268
Hyde’s unbeaten start to the season continued
at Ewen Fields on Saturday against Lincoln United. But the Tigers
had to fight all the way, and this time it was Hyde who snatched an
injury time equaliser, rather than Leek the previous Monday.
The Tigers started abysmally and it was no
surprise when Jamie Clarke shot Lincoln
into the lead on 11 minutes. Slowly but surely the Tigers clawed
their way back into the game, but the passing was still wayward.
Despite their indifferent performance, Hyde still created chances
and both Dale Johnson and Neil Tolson should have scored when well
placed.
The first half was scrappy and the second
little better. Lincoln grew in confidence as the match went on and
their reporter was beginning to wax lyrical about them caressing the
ball around the pitch. Poetic licence perhaps, but the Tigers, in
all honesty, never got going. Nevertheless they managed to create a
hatful of chances in the second half with Nicky Hill striking the
bar with a screamer and all three strikers firing wide when they
should have found the net.
With seven minutes left, Matty McNeil was
wrestled to the floor as he went into the area. A certain penalty it
seemed. The referee who, not for the first time, was miles behind
play, looked across to the assistant. He had a perfect view, but saw
‘nothing’ and play was waved on. That looked to be the end for
the Tigers and summed up the whole afternoon.
Three extra minutes were added and with just
seconds remaining, a free kick was floated into the area, not
cleared properly by the overworked Lincoln defence, and Mc
Neil was on hand to lash the ball home from 20 yards to
salvage a point for the Tigers.
Although Hyde remain unbeaten, the flowing football is missing and it is desperate to get Phil Salt back as soon as possible. He is being sorely missed, but 15 points from seven games is a good return for a team yet to hit top form
Hyde – Mullock, Brough,
Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Lynch,Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Dean, Clegg
Lincoln United – Conroy, Wilikins, Brown, Minett, Hone, Gowshall, Hawley, Bull, Clarke, Miller, Trout.Subs George, Gilbert, Williams.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
14-09-04 MACCLESFIELD TOWN 1 HYDE UNITED 2 CSC att. 230
Hyde produced their best performance of the
season at Macclesfield on Tuesday with a superb 2-1 victory. Moss
Rose is now a superb stadium with an excellent playing surface and
the Tigers took full advantage on a stormy night.
The Tigers surged forward from the outset and
it seemed only a matter of time before a goal would come, but chance after chance went begging as Neil Tolson, playing his
best football of the season and the irrespressible Dale Johnson ran
the Macclesfield defence ragged. Jamie Milligan was wide on the left
doing much of the supply and he too came close after a great
one-two. He did make an impact on 33 minutes however as he swung
over a pin-point corner and Chris Lynch
headed home.
Disaster struck for the Tigers in injury time
when Iraqi trailist Jassim Fayadh lined
up a free-kick at least
35 yards out. A deflection took the ball skidding past a startled
Tim Mullock for an unlikely equaliser.
The Tigers continued to press forward after the
interval and Matty McNeil, on for Tolson, struck a post on 65
minutes. Ten minutes before Lynch, playing his best game of the
season too, had gone close after a great run into the area. By now
Dale Johnson had run himself into the ground and was replaced by the
ageless Tony Ellis and within minutes the Tigers were back in front,
with Steve Waywell having an uncanny knack of making substitutions
effective. Another superb corner from Milligan and up popped
John O’Kane to head home with
just twenty minutes left.
Time now for the Tigers defence to come into their own. They had been shielded for much of the game by the efffectiveness of the midfielders, but as the legs tired, Mullock produced a couple of great saves and Paul Jones and O’Kane sealed up the middle. On the left Nicky Hill looked accomplished whilst Steven Clegg returned with a solid performance on the right. Extra-time was always a possibility as the Macclesfield youngsters pushed forward, but Hyde held firm and ultimately desereved the victory.
Hyde – Mullock, Clegg,
Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Dean, Lynch, Tolson,
Johnson, Gaynor. Subs Brough, McNeil, Ellis
Macclesfield Town – Deasey, Cooke, Smart, Jones, Carr, Teague, Brackenridge, owens, Rooney, Mc Donald, Fayadh. Subs Matranga, Reid, Bailey.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
18-09-04
HYDE UNITED
3
MAINE ROAD 0 FACqr1
att. 327
Two quick goals in succession,
midway through the second half saw Hyde progress into the second
qualifying round of the FA Cup. The tie was virtually settled with
goals from Neil Tolson and Dale Johnson but not after a spirited
performance from the North West Counties side.
Half time substitute Neil
Tolson broke the deadline on 67 minutes collected the ball
from 30 yards out blasting the ball into the roof of the net giving
keeper Robertson no chance. Dale Johnson
increased the lead two minutes later when a cross from Neil Tolson
was bundled home.
The Tigers could have made it
3-0 when Matty McNeil after a surging run saw his shot hit the
underside of the bar. With five minutes of the game remaining Hyde
were awarded another penalty when Dale Johnson was dragged back in
the area. This time Jamie Milligan took
over the penalty taking duties and made no mistake in firing low
into the corner of the net, to see the Tigers progress into the next
round.
Hyde
United Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Dean, Lynch,
McNeil, Johnson, Gaynor
Maine Road
Robertson, Simms, Todman, Broderick, Blore, Chappell, Walker,
Senior, Mitchell, Crookes, Clancey
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
21-09-04
MATLOCK TOWN 1 HYDE UNITED
1
UNI
att. 299
A brilliant solo goal from Dale Johnson twenty
minutes from time salvaged a point for the Tigers to continue their
unbeaten start to the season, but this was far from a vintage
performance from Hyde and they
were thankful for some wayward Matlock finishing.
Matlock started strongly , but the Tigers
clawed their way back into the game and could have taken the lead on
22 minutes when a superb free-kick from Jamie Milligan struck the
angle of bar and post. Diasaster struck eight minutes later when an
inswinging corner from Kris Bowler was dropped into the net by Tim
Mullock. A rare mistake from one of Hyde’s most consistent
performers this season.
Most of the running came from Matlock and
frequently Hyde were second best. Paul Jones had a storming game at
the back, but he could not prevent the home side making chances and
only some inept finishing kept the Tigers in the game.
As the second half went on Hyde appeared to
playing the three officials as well and a certain defeat looked on
the cards. The usual flowing football was nowhere to be seen with
Matlock still dangerous on the break. With just twenty minutes
left, enter Dale Johnson. Picking the
ball up midway inside the Matlock half on the right, he was fouled,
before leaving four men for dead as he raced towards the penalty
area. Another two fell by the wayside after a quick shimmy and then
he stroked the ball into the net. An absolutely stunning goal.
Hyde failed to capitalise. A couple of half chances, but their frustration on the pitch was epitomised by bookings for Craig Buckley and John O’Kane. News of another Workington victory did not improve the mood after the game, but as Steve Waywell said ‘ it is the sign of a good team who picks up points when they don’t play well’. This was certainly the case here.
Hyde – Mullock, Clegg,
Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Lynch, Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Dean, Brough
Matlock Town – Saxby, Handbury, Hopkins, Clarke, Davis, James, Sisson, Circuit, Alexander, Barraclough, Bowler. Subs Parker, Brown, Williams.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
25-09-04 SPENNYMOOR UTD 1 HYDE UNITED 3 UNI att. 181
Hyde took the points from their trip to
Spennymoor and fully deserved their victory. The game had been
delayed, as Tim Mullock had to tie up the nets following a
referee’s inspection. He had to do the same in the second half.
Reminiscent of Sunday morning football.
In difficult conditions with a swirling wind
and rock hard pitch, Spennymoor made the early running and Mullock
was soon in football action, but he could do nothing on 16 minutes
as Danny Brunskill turned and hit an
unstoppable left footer into the top corner.
Hyde slowly clawed their way back into the game
with Jamie Milligan instrumental in creating chances. His in
swinging corners caused the home defence all sorts of problems with
Neil Tolson going close on three occasions and John O’Kane having
a header cleared off the line. Phillip Naisbett’s handling in the
Spennymoor goal looked suspect all afternoon. Right on half time a
long punt down field bounced in the Spennymoor penalty area and went
on to hit the bar. Tolson, who else,
was on hand to head the ball home.
Eleven minutes into the second half O’Kane
slipped and gave Thomas Raw an easy chance. He fluffed it and then
five minutes later Steven Clegg headed off the line. From then
onwards it was all Hyde as they took the game to the opposition. On
67 minutes Matty McNeil hit the ball
home after some superb skill in the area from Milligan and it was
that man Milligan again, ten minutes later who swung over another
great corner for Paul Jones to head
home.
Hyde should have had a penalty moments before
Jones’ goal after Mc Neil was brought down in the area. The
assistant flagged furiously but was overruled by the referee who was
further away. A goal kick was given even though the ball was in
play. The decision could have been costly in a closer game. The same
assistant was involved seconds later when Spennymoor captain,
Phillip Brumwell offered comments on his performance and received a
straight red.
The Tigers were strong by the end and were well
worth the points, but they were certainly needed as Workington and
Leek are setting a hot pace at the top of the league.
Hyde – Mullock, Clegg,
Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Lynch, Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Dean, Barrowclough
Spennymoor United – Naisbett, Mc Stea, Talbot, Brumwell, Coulson, Oliver, Butler, Brown, Raw, Brunskill, Toft..Subs Gough, Taylor,Graydon
REPORT BY TONY BEARD 8.
27-09-04
HYDE UNITED
3
RADCLIFFE BOROUGH 0 UNI
att. 388
A scintillating second half performance from
the Tigers ensured three more points towards their championship
challenge and took their unbeaten run to twelve games. Once again it
was a Steve Waywell substitution which changed the course of the
game after he replaced a disappointing Neil Tolson with the pace of
Carl Barrowclough at half time.
The first half had been pretty even with Jamie
Milligan twice going close for Hyde, with his first effort striking
Tolson when goalbound and his second attempt striking the foot of
‘keeper Danny Hurst. Radcliffe too, had some chances, with Steve
Foster going close.
There was an explosive start to the second half
as first Barrowclough had a great run for Hyde and then Andy Heald
struck the base of the post for Radcliffe. Hyde now started to play
some great football and were rewarded when John
Gaynor shot home within six minutes of the restart.. Phil
Salt was then introduced for his first game of the season and all of
a sudden Hyde were playing champagne football.
Radcliffe collapsed under the pressure and Matty
McNeil added a second when he outjumped Hurst. Hurst claimed
a foul, but the ref, who had a decent game, would have none of it. Matty
added a third with twelve minutes left as he rifled home a through
ball for a spectacular goal. It was now all Hyde with Dale Johnson
having a superb game up-front and Salt beginning to weave his magic
in midfield. Paul Jones and Steven Clegg were rocks at the back,
despite missing John O’Kane with an ankle injury. Gaynor covered
every inch of the sodden pitch first as a midfielder and then as a
full back and fully deserved his rare goal. All of the chances fell
to Milligan and on another day, he could have had a hat-trick.
The Atherton Manager in the crowd was given
plenty to think about and would be wondering on the way home, which
Hyde would turn up on Saturday. If it was the second half team he
will certainly be having sleepless nights.
Hyde – Mullock, Clegg,
Hill, Jones, Milligan, Brough, Gaynor, Lynch, Tolson,
Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Salt, Barrowclough
Radcliffe Borough –
Hurst, Duffy, Battersby, Kelly, heald, Hill, Wilson, Carden, Denny,
Foster, PriceSubs Kilheeney, Patterson, Sampson
REPORT BY TONY BEARD