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  

02-10-04 ATHERTON LR 2 HYDE UNITED 3   FACqr2  att. 150

This was always going to be a difficult game for the Tigers and so it turned out with the dreadful pitch at Crilly Park being a great leveller and ultimately Hyde were lucky to secure a victory at the first attempt. It sounds a good game with Hyde twice coming from behind and getting a late winner, but in all honesty it wasn’t. The surface and the slope prohibited good football and both sides settled for ‘route one’.

Atherton had already hit the post before they took the lead on seven minutes through the promising Phil Howard. Hyde equalised a minute later when Dale Johnson slotted home. For the rest of the half, the Tigers struggled to cope with the high balls into the area and the greasy pitch and high wind made for plenty of chances. Just before half time, Johnson left the pitch with blood streaming from his ear, which later needed a stitch in hospital. Enter Neil Tolson.

With Tolson and Matty McNeil starting to win most of the balls against a tiring LR defence, it looked like Hyde would walk the second half. Mc Neil had a goal disallowed for handball, before they were brought down to earth with a severe jolt as Steve Wynne hammered home a beauty on 67 minutes to put Atherton in front again. Steve Waywell’s substitution trick worked again as Wayne Dean had been on the field only five minutes when he won a corner. Jamie Milligan supplied the cross and Chris Lynch bundled the ball home with twenty minutes left.

Still time for Atherton to bring on Simon Band (Peter’s brother),  then hit a post and see Paul Jones clear off the line, before the irrepressible Tolson turned in the area to score a last minute winner. It was hard on Atherton who suddenly felt there was no justice with the magic of the FA Cup suddenly disappearing.

Hyde march on in the knowledge they can play a lot better than this, despite the fact it is now13 games without defeat.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Jones, Milligan, Gaynor, Lynch, Salt, Barrowclough,  Johnson, Mc Neil. Subs Buckley, Ellis, Dean, Tolson.

Atherton LR – Ward, Jopson, McNair, Hannon, Wynne, Bennett, Settle, Curley, Massey, Howard, Crompton Subs Lucas, Westworth, Band, Strange, Street.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

06-10-04 LINCOLN UTD 1  HYDE UNITED 2   UNI  att. 149

Another brilliant goal from Dale Johnson secured the points for the Tigers at Lincoln on Tuesday and extended their unbeaten run to 14 games. The goal came with just twenty minutes left after Johnson had received the ball on the edge of the area with his back to goal. A quick turn and the ball was in the net before ‘keeper Nick Conroy could get across. A goal worthy of winning any game and one Simon Yeo, watching from the sidelines, would have been proud of. It was a shame there was only 149 to see it, but it must be said the majority were from Hyde.

The Tigers deserved the points from this tough encounter; although Lincoln made them fight all the way to set up next week’s FA Cup repeat nicely. Hyde had the majority of play in the first half and should have had a comfortable lead by half time. However all they had to show for their efforts was a somewhat fortuitous goal from Phil Salt, whose lob into the area was misjudged by Conroy as he pulled his hands away only to find the ball nestle in the corner of the net. The error unnerved him, but the Tigers failed to capitalise, despite putting him under intense pressure from Jamie Milligan’s in swinging corners.

Hyde started the second half where they had left off in the first but disaster struck on 62 minutes when the inconsistent referee awarded a penalty after Paul Jones was adjudged to have fouled. A harsh decision and tough on Tim Mullock who had just made a superb one handed save. Jonty Hawley put the spot kick away and the Hyde had it all to do again. But such is the spirit this season, Hyde piled forward and took the game to the opposition. Some of last year’s flowing football has gone, probably due to Salt’s absence, but there is more resilience this year and they think they can score with every attack.

Matty McNeil, again superb with no protection from the referee, Neil Tolson and Jamie Milligan all went close before Dale’s super strike and it was fitting such a great goal should settle the tie. The Tigers will go into next week’s FA Cup-tie with renewed vigour and this was a tough game on paper, but not for the first time, Hyde came through with flying colours.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Jones, Milligan, Gaynor, Lynch, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Barrowclough, Dean,

Lincoln United – Conroy, Wilkins, Brown, Mc Daid, Hone, George, hawley, Bull, Minett, Roche, Trout.Subs Gilbert, Miller, Walters.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

08-10-04 HYDE UNITED 2  OSSETT TOWN  0  UNI  att. 309

Hyde took the points against a resilient Ossett Town on Friday night with two late goals from Matty McNeil and Neil Tolson to continue their impressive start to the season. Ossett arrived at Ewen Fields full of confidence after a recent good run and in an even first half gave Hyde plenty to think about.

As usual the Tigers created chances but just couldn’t find that killer touch in front of goal. Jamie Milligan was instrumental in everything Hyde did and his set pieces were superb throughout. Tolson came closest to scoring when his shot rebounded off Jon Hood. At times, Hyde’s football was sublime, but Ossett matched them with plenty of fight and aggression and finished the half the stronger.

In the second half Ossett continued to play well but slowly but surely Hyde began to take the upper hand. Dale Johnson was beginning to find space but was frequently penalised by a fussy referee, when his only crime was to use his upper body strength. As the game wore on, Ossett started to time waste with an assortment of injuries and the game looked like it might peter out into a tame draw.

Milligan was still causing problems with his corners and just after he had hit the bar with one, it was the turn of Phil Salt, getting better each game, who supplied a pin point free kick onto McNeil’s head and the Tigers were in front with just twenty minutes left. Ossett suddenly stepped up the pace but it was to no avail as five minutes later Milligan’s corner was headed home by a combination of Tolson, McNeil and Rob Nugent. Tolson claimed it and the Tigers were home and dry. Still time for Carl Barrowclough to hit a post, but had been pushed all the way by an workmanlike Ossett performance..

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Jones, Milligan, Gaynor, Lynch, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Barrowclough, Dean,

Ossett Town – Hood, Hudson, Heineman, Price, Nugent, Briggs, Callery, Bolder, Freestone, Nestor, Newton..Subs Gray, Rowe, Daly.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

12-10-04 HYDE UNITED 2  PRESCOT CABLES 2  UNI  att. 321

Hyde took their unbeaten run to 16 games, but were made to fight all the way by a lively Prescot on Monday evening. The tigers were presented with the September Team of the Month award before the kick-off and this often proves to be the ‘kiss of death’ and so it proved as Cables took the lead on 14 minutes through Sam McNutt. The goal was created after some excellent skill from Mike O’Donnell, but there was a hint of offside. Interestingly enough the assistant referees flagged an inordinate number of times subsequently, but fortunately the referee did try to play advantage whenever he could.

Hyde stormed back and the irrepressible Neil Tolson equalised three minutes later when he headed home a Jamie Milligan corner. Prior to this Prescot were lucky to clear another Milligan corner with Phil Priestly all at sea. Back came Prescot against the injury ravaged Tigers and McNutt scored his second with a superb execution. A goal in a million, but nothing less than Cables deserved

Already weakened by injuries, Hyde were forced to take off Chris Lynch at half-time causing rearrangements throughout the team. Carl Barrowclough played wide right, with Matty McNeil dropping back into midfield and Craig Buckley going to left back. However Prescot continued to find plenty of space and make most of the running and only a superb save from Tim Mullock stopped them increasing their lead.

A sublime piece of skill by Dale Johnson resulted in the ball being cleared to Phil Salt and the youngster headed his inch perfect cross home with thirty minutes left. A grandstand finish ensued with both teams going close, but in the end, Prescot deserved their point and on another night could have had all three. As for the Tigers, the record start is beginning to weigh heavily and coupled with major players being out injured or carrying knocks, the going is getting tougher. Almost a week to recover before another trip to Lincoln on Saturday in the FA Cup. They will need all the rest they can get.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Buckley, Jones, Milligan, Gaynor, Lynch, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Hill, Barrowclough, Dean,

Prescot Cables – Priest;ey, Holmes, Garner, Flynn, Clark, Mc.Ewen, Peers. Taylor, O’Donnell, Connolly, McNutt. Subs Massie, Cooper, Garforth.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

16-10-04 LINCOLN UTD 1  HYDE UNITED 2 FACqr3  att. 190

The Tigers took their unbeaten run to seventeen games when they overcame Lincoln United for the second time in ten days to progress to the 4^th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

As well as a place in the next round they are also £5000 better off with double that amount awaiting the winners of the next round. When you get to this stage of the FA Cup, it is the result that matters, but this was a pretty entertaining game nevertheless.

Hyde got off to a dream start as John Gaynor pounced on a poor clearance to score from 20 yards after only four minutes, although the Tigers could already have been behind as Lincoln came close in the first minute. Things were even better for the Tigers after quarter of an hour as Dale Johnson, struggling with injury, scored from close range.

It should have been plain sailing from then onwards in a fast open game, but Lincoln fought back and substitute Ian Williams scored on the half hour to peg Hyde back.

The Tigers relied on the counter attack in the second half and Matty McNeil should have sealed it but shot over with the goal at his mercy. Lincoln, growing in confidence, piled everybody forward in the last quarter but the Hyde defence stood firm under intense pressure to see the Tigers safely into the next round. This was nothing less than Hyde deserved having beaten a strong Lincoln outfit twice in their own back yard in the last two weeks.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Barrowclough, Dean, Lynch, Ellis

Lincoln United – Conroy, Wilkins, Brown, Mc Daid, Hone, Gowshall, Hawley, Bull, Minett, Roche, Trout. Subs Gilbert, Miller, Williams, George, Werry.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

23-10-04 HYDE UNITED 2 WAKEFIELD-EMLEY 1  UNI  att. 370

The Tigers took their unbeaten run to eighteen games when they overcame Wakefield-Emley in a game they should have sewn up before half-time. The first half belonged comprehensively to the Tigers and it was no surprise when a great pass from John Gaynor was slotted home by Neil Tolson on 26 minutes. Hyde could already have been two up by then as Paul Cuss in the Wakefield goal was struggling with Jamie Milligan’s corners.

Seven minutes after the goal, Nicky Hill put through an excellent through ball. Matty McNeil pursued it, Cuss misjudged the bounce, to leave Matty the simple task of side footing home from three yards. Hill had a strong game at left back, despite the knowledge it was his partner’s due date for their first child and he could be called away at any time. In the event, she showed due consideration.

Hyde should have had more goals before the break, but still went in happy with a two-goal lead. It was assumed Wakefield couldn’t play any worse in the second half and so it proved as they staged a comeback after a half time rollicking. Five minutes into the second period, Phil Salt gave the ball away to Steve Kenworthy who promptly put it in the net from 30 yards, which gave Tim Mullock no chance. A super goal and one, which gave Wakefield, renewed hope in a game, which had seemingly slipped away, some time before. They stepped up the pace, tackles became sharper and harder and the officials struggled to keep pace.

After 58 minutes Gaynor was the recipient of a dreadful challenge from Adam Muller, which left him writhing on the floor with no boot. A yellow for Muller, when everyone expected red. A case of the referee ducking a key decision and he was again the focus of attention as Tolson was fouled in the area when tackled from behind. A goal kick was the verdict which of all the possible decisions it could not have been. Tolson had the ball in the net later but a zealous assistant flagged for offside as he had done for most of the second period. He was certainly sharp-eyed when it came to offside but failed to notice incidents just yards from him including the tackle on Gaynor. Wakefield’s Nicky Wood was carried off with concussion, but refused paramedic help when the ambulance arrived.

Wakefield had a purple spell in the second half for about 20 minutes and it needed some strong defending to keep them at bay. Paul Jones was again outstanding at the heart of the Tigers defence, whilst McNeil was irrepressible up front. It turned out to be a tough game but Hyde held firm and then finished much stronger in the last quarter and could have increased their tally as Wakefield tired and picked up too late bookings for poor challenges Millgan struck the bar from 25 yards with a curling free kick and Tolson and Barrowclough both went close.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil. Subs Barrowclough, Dean, Lynch.

Wakefield-Emley – Cuss, Lindell, Hatto, Painter, Wood, Aspinall, Zoll, Fox, Kenworthy, Muller, Wright. Subs O’Brien, Hitchen, O’Reilly.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

25-10-04 HYDE UNITED 2 GLOSSOP NORTH END 0  MPC1 att. 272

The Tigers cruised to victory over Glossop in the First round of the Manchester Premier Cup after two goals in the first twenty minutes had given them a dream start. Although Glossop battled hard thereafter, there was always only going to be one winner despite the fact Hyde had rested a number of key players.

Hyde took the lead after just three minutes when a shot from Andy waine, back after injury, rebounded off the crossbar and Neil Tolson, on his 31^st birthday was on hand to head home. Two minutes later Phil Salt hit the bar and as Hyde stormed forward, Wayne Dean, the smallest man on the pitch, headed home with just 20 minutes gone. The Tigers continued to have all the play with Carl Barrowclough dangerous up-front as Glossop desperately hung on.

The second half follwed a similar pattern allowing Steve Waywell to leave his big guns on the bench for a well-earned rest although Glossop did come into the game a little more with some controlled possession.

With Saturday’s game at Southport looming, Hyde eased off the gas in the second half but never looked in danger of conceding a goal and allowing Glossop back into the game. It took their unbeaten run to nineteen games, and proved to be a good workout, but Saturday will be a much sterner test, but the Tigers, although underdogs, will go into the game brimming with confidence.

A trip to Droylsden or Oldham Town awaits Hyde in the Second round. Their game at the Butchers Arms was postponed due to the weather.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Lynch, Buckley, O’Kane, Waine, Salt, Tolson,  Dean, Barrowclough.Subs meszaros, Ellis, Mc Neil, Johnson, Gaynor.

Glossop – Williams, Levendis, Broome, Hollin, Yates, Nibloe, Hamilton, Bovis, Kharas, Hayder, Blackshaw. Subs Hind, Morris, Hussain, Gaffey.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

30-10-04  SOUTHPORT 3  HYDE UNITED 1 FACqr4 att. 1179

Hyde’s unbeaten run of 19 games came to an abrupt end at sunny Haig Avenue on Saturday in a pulsating game. The Tigers were left with memories of what might have been, but on the day, despite having lots of possession, they failed to provide the killer touch after giving Southport a three goal start.

In a sensational first half, Southport were three up within the first twenty two minutes, before Hyde pulled one back, missed a penalty and then Steven Dickinson producing a wonder save to keep out a Jamie Milligan free kick. In a breathtaking half the referee found time to book six players and then right on half time, Neil Tolson had a goal disallowed for offside.

Southport scored after just two minutes after Paul Jones headed out a corner only to find Steve Pickford volleying it into the top corner. He was later booked for a crud e tackle on John Gaynor, who then found himself booked after retribution. Former Tiger, Kevin Leadbetter scored another wonder goal after 20 minutes after running half the length of the pitch. Terry Fearns added another two minutes later and it looked all over for the Tigers. However they slowly clawed their way back as despite conceding, they had plenty of possession. They were given a lifeline as McNeil was fouled in the area, but Phil Salt’s spot kick hit a post and was cleared. Hyde still pushed forward and after Milligan had been thwarted by Dickinson, he swung over a perfect corner for John O’Kane to flick on and Tolson to score at the far post. He almost had a second, but the assistant referee intervened.

The intense excitement couldn’t possibly continue in the second half and the game eventually fizzled out. Man of the match Leadbetter continued to worry the Tigers every time he received the ball and Jones was possibly lucky only to see yellow as he brought him down as he burst through. Plenty more possession for Hyde and some neat football, but the game had gone after those crazy first twenty minutes and two stunning goals.

The referee collected eight bookings, five for Hyde, but it was never a dirty game but just a typical blood and thunder cup tie which had everything. Almost 1200 saw it and couldn’t have failed  to have been impressed with both teams.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Ellis, Lynch, Dean, Waine.

Southport – Dickinson, Williams, Mortimer, Kilbane, Davis, Morley, Lynch, Daly, Fearns, Leadbetter, Pickford. Subs Loew, Fitzgerald, Price, Baker, Robinson

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

06-11-04  HYDE UNITED 3 BELPER TOWN 1  FAT1 att. 275

After last Saturday’s set back, Hyde returned to form with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Belper Town in the first round of the FA Trophy. The Tigers had one change with Chris Lynch at full back replacing Nicky Hill, who was attending the birth of his first child.

For the first half hour the game was dire with Belper fighting for every ball and not allowing the Tigers to get into their stride. On 31 minutes the game suddenly sprang to life as Jason Maxwell headed Belper in front. Just one minute later Neil Tolson was on hand to play a neat one-two and hit the ball past  43 year old Steve Cherry. The Tigers had suddenly been aroused from their slumbers and from then until half time it was all action.

First, Dale Johnson hit the bar with a left foot screamer and then Cherry scrambled  way another bullet strike from Jamie Milligan. But not to be outdone Belper struck the woodwork before Michael Allsop brought down Matty McNeil in the area. Milligan sent Cherry the wrong way with the spot kick. Two minutes later Tolson was  again an hand to add another with  a shot off the post. The half finished with Hyde well on top and Belper happy to hear the half time whistle.

Hyde continued to dominate after the break and Tolson completed  a deserved hat- trick on 73 minutes when he rifled home a Wayne Dean cross. The Tigers could have had more goals and on another day Johnson and McNeil could have both found themselves on the score-sheet, but it didn’t matter as the Tigers had bounced back in the best possible way having showed little remorse for battling Belper.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Lynch, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Ellis, Barrowclough, Lynch, Dean, Waine.

Belper – Cherry, Carter(S), Carter (J), Allsop, McKenzie, Danylyk, Lyons, Hudson, Maxwell, Reynolds, Walker.Subs Nazha, Peet, Thornill, Foster, Clarke.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

09-11-04  ALSAGER TOWN 3  HYDE UNITED 2  CSC1 att. 74

In the second round of the Unibond Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday, the Tigers gave Alsager Town a three goal start, but came perilously close to forcing extra time in a grandstand finish. 

Hyde started sluggishly and after just three minutes, Tim Mullock was forced to make a fine save from the impressive Peter Heler. The ball rebounded to Andy Waine whose clearance struck Heler and finished up in the net. Worse was to follow on 40 minutes as Heler added a second after Mullock dived over the ball. Right on half-time Ian Verow added a third to leave Hyde shell-shocked after a dreadful first half performance.

The Tigers came out fighting in the second half with Dale Johnson, Matty McNeil and Neil Tolson restored up front and took the game to Alsager. After many near misses, John O’Kane scrambled the ball home with 14 minutes left. With just one minute of normal time left, Matty McNeil added a second. Despite seven minutes of injury time, Hyde couldn’t find an equaliser and were made to pay dearly for their first half ineptitude. 

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Lynch, Jones, Buckley, O’Kane, Gaynor, Salt, Tolson,  Waine, Dean.Subs McNeil, Johnson, Milligan.

Alsager – Powner, Mc Culloch, Fraser, Epsley, Brotherton, Stokes, Ireland, Verow, Heler, Macari, Grocott. Subs Parkinson, Grice, Rowe.

13-11-04  GUISELEY 1  HYDE UNITED 1  UNI  att. 353

Hyde’s unbeaten league run goes on, but the pressure is beginning to tell. After only nine minutes at Guiseley, Jamie Milligan was given a straight red for two footed tackle. It was dangerous, but not malicious but referee Mick Bell felt it was bad enough to send him for an early shower. Well it would have been but the water hadn’t even been turned on! Mr Bell could have done with a cold shower by the end after a most bizarre performance had irritated and bewildered the majority of the crowd. He collected four bookings but the worst tackles went unpunished whilst Dale Johnson and Neil Tolson were given little protection.

With the Tigers battling bravely and a whistle happy referee, there was little entertainment in the first half on a pitch which hadn’t been rolled. The second half was little better but as Guiseley stepped up the pace, Hyde withstood the pressure and started to create themselves. Tim Mullock handled superbly in goal whilst the recalled Nicky Hill proved an able deputy for Paul Jones.

With seven minutes left, Tolson was brought down in the area. After what seemed like an eternity, Mr Bell pointed to the spot and Phil Salt calmly stroked home the penalty. Hyde were on schedule for an unlikely victory until Mark Stuart scored a screamer with just one minute left. Plenty of excitement in the four minutes of injury time especially from Guiseley’s Jonathan Hunt, whose turn of pace had troubled Hyde all afternoon, but in the end Hyde were happy with a draw, but perhaps felt an improbable two points had slipped away.                 

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Waine, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil.Subs Buckley, Barrowclough, Dean.

Guiseley – Lamb, Hay, Ball, Illingworth, Graham, Stansfield, Henry, Hunt, Cooke, Grayston, Stuart.Subs Chattoe, Sumner, Jackson..

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

15-11-04  HYDE UNITED 3  KENDAL TOWN 1  ULC  att. 162

Hyde progressed to the last sixteen of the Unibond League Cup on Monday with a comfortable victory over Kendal Town. However one would expect the FA Trophy game at Kendal next week to be somewhat more difficult, as Kendal never really got into their stride after arriving late.

The Tigers were soon up and running though after the delayed kick-off as Neil Tolson headed them in front after just six minutes. Hyde continued to put reserve ‘keeper, Ryan Robinson under severe pressure, especially from in-swinging corners, but Kendal survived although they never really looked threatening.

The second half followed a similar pattern and it was no surprise when Matty McNeil rifled home on 67 minutes. Kendal pulled one back seven minutes later as Mike Jack hammered home a free kick with the help of a deflection, but normal service was resumed three minutes later after a great run from John Gaynor allowed McNeil to set up Dale Johnson who side footed home.

Although last year’s fluency is missing from much of Hyde’s play, they are battling hard and grinding out the results and this was another game when although they were not at their best, they were still too strong for the opposition. Whitby will provide a much sterner test on Saturday.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Waine, Milligan, O’Kane, Gaynor, Salt, Tolson,  Johnson, Mc Neil. Subs Lynch, Barrowclough, Dean.

Kendal – Robinson, Burrow, McKenna, Whitall-Williams, Taylor, Jack, Clitheroe, Woodruffe, Smith, Mayers, Ashcroft. Subs Foster, Galley, Rigby

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

20-11-04  HYDE UNITED 2  WHITBY TOWN 2  UNI  att. 371

Hyde extended their unbeaten league run to sixteen games after a brilliant fightback earned then a point against title contenders, Whitby Town, and with a little more luck in front of goal, it could have been three.

The Tigers found themselves two goals down inside the first fourteen minutes and were without leading scorer, Neil Tolson, Jamie Milligan and Paul Jones, who were all injured. The writing looked on the wall as a big and strong Whitby outfit dominated the early proceedings. But having said that Chris Lynch, John O’Kane and Dale Johnson both all close, when perhaps they should have scored.

The first goal came after just 8 minutes when Nicky Hill and Tim Mullock got into an awful tangle to allow  Neil Bishop to side foot home. Things got worse six minutes later as Liam Gildea headed home unchallenged. This was a bit harsh on the Tigers as Johnson has been fouled in midfield beforehand, but they still had time to clear the ball nevertheless.

In the second half, the Tigers stepped up the pace, but the Whitby defence were strong and uncompromising until man of the match by a mile, Matty McNeil lashed home a ‘daisy cutter’ from 22 yards. Suddenly Hyde started to believe in themselves. Substitute Wayne Dean began to make darting runs on the right and Craig Buckley was introduced to add some impetus in midfield, The Tigers pressed forward and all of a sudden Whitby started to look vulnerable. With just four minutes left, it was Buckley who slotted the ball home to earn the tigers a fully deserved point. It was appropriate Craig should be the man to grab the equaliser to hopefully bring some light relief, after such an traumatic week in his private life, with his father’s murder trial starting.

Hyde – Mullock, Clegg, Hill, Waine, Lynch, O’Kane, Barrowclough, Salt, Gaynor, Johnson, Mc Neil. Buckley, Ellis, Dean.

Whitby – Campbell (D), Atkinson, Veart, Farthing, Linighan, Nicholson, Ormerod, Scaife, Johnson, Gildea, Bishop.Subs McTiernan, Williams, Campbell (P)

REPORT BY TONY BEARD