data

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

In a thrilling game at Ewen Fields, Matlock snatched a dramatic injury time equaliser to thwart the Tigers. Played in heavy rain throughout the players of both sides deserve full marks for serving up such great entertainment in a match which was a credit to the Unibond League. Both teams have had good runs in the last month or so and it showed with plenty of confidence on a tricky pitch. The referee, Mr Collin, also added to the night with an excellent performance

Hyde took the lead on 25 minutes after John O’Kane had scrambled home a Neil Tolson free kick. Just two minutes later, Matlock were level after Chris Lynch hesitated too long and from his delayed back pass, Tim Mullock could only hammer it against Simon Barraclough, who had the simple task of running the ball over the line. Unperturbed Hyde stormed forward and Phil Salt’s goal-bound shot was diverted past Ian Bowling by Tolson.

It was now end to end stuff with both ‘keepers having to make a string of fine saves, before seconds before the interval Lincoln Adams and Mullock got into an awful tangle with both blaming each other in a bizarre altercation.

The second half continued at a pace with Bowling looking suspect on crosses but excellent on shot stopping. John Gaynor and Alex Mortimer went closest for Hyde, whilst Mullock had to be on top form at the other end. With just four minutes left Dale Johnson set up Tolson, but his shot was scrambled away and Hyde were made to pay dearly deep into injury time as the visitors snatched an equaliser through Rocky White with a well worked goal. They should have been dead and buried, but had shown great resilience and belied their mid table position with some excellent football throughout.

Hyde – Mullock, Lynch, Mortimer, Hill, Adams, Gaynor, O’Kane, Harrison, Salt, Tolson, Barrowclough, McNeil.Subs – Jones, Johnson, Dean

Matlock – Bowling, Circuit, Hopkins, Mc Nicholas, Bostock, Lukic, Warne, White, Taylor, Barraclough, Webster.Subs – Taylor, Brown, Williams

Hyde duly completed the double over the Spartans in the course of a week, but made heavy weather of it, in the glorious spring sunshine. A brace of goals from Dale Johnson ultimately clinched it, but the Tigers should have been home and dry before half time.

Johnson secured his first on 35 minutes when Matty McNeil flicked on Nicky Hill’s cross and he was on hand to slot past reserve ‘keeper Darren Wylam. In fact, Wylam was in the thick of action throughout the first half having constant difficulty with Alex Mortimer’s in-swinging corners. Right on half time a Mortimer screamer was inches wide.

The Tigers should have doubled their lead a minute into the second half when Johnson was narrowly wide. If that had gone in, the floodgates could have opened, but instead Blyth clawed their way back into the game and had a purple patch for 15 minutes with Hyde defending desperately.

Steve Waywell introduced Wayne Dean and he made all the difference. He could have scored in a minute, and generally wreaked havoc for the rest of the game. Gerry Harrison who gets stronger each game ultimately gave Hyde some breathing space as his 20-yarder squirmed under the despairing Wylam. Normal service had been resumed and with five minutes left Johnson pounced after another error from Wylam to get the third following good work from Mortimer and Dean.

Some of the shirt-sleeved crowd had been critical of Hyde’s performance, but that was harsh as a 3-0 victory, with three regulars missing, over a tough uncompromising team, was ultimately a great result. Three more points also, in the pursuit of Workington. The title dream is still on and with three of the championship contenders still to visit Ewen Fields, it is in the Tigers’ own hands.

Hyde – Mullock, Gaynor, Hill, Adams, Mortimer, O’Kane, Harrison, Salt, Barrowclough, Johnson, McNeil.Subs – Jones, Buckley, Dean

Blyth – Wylam, Williams, Leeson, Snowdon, Forster, McCabe, Crawford, Fenton, Bell, Dale, Lowther. Subs – Shoulder, Ankers, Graham.

Two early goals secured Hyde the points from a tough encounter at the idyllically named Millennium stadium on Good Friday to keep the pressure on leaders Workington. Frickley is never an easy place to go and this visit was no exception with many of the houses outside the ground desolate and a hostile environment inside it. The pitch was very dry and bouncy and made close control difficult, but Hyde applied themselves well and deserved the three points.

The Tigers took the lead on four minutes when Dale Johnson’s persistence paid off before he squared to ball to Wayne Dean who back-heeled the ball home. Deano was close seconds later before Gerry Harrison headed home Alex Mortimer’s corner on 24 minutes. Hyde controlled the rest of the half but should have had at least another goal for their efforts. Matty McNeil came closest with an overhead kick which clipped the bar.

Frickley stepped up the pace in the second half and became more physical as their frustrations grew. Both Steve Robinson and Steve Woolford were lucky to stay on the pitch as ineffective referee Mr Benton lost control and respect, but managed to book both Johnson and Dean when they appeared the be the victims. Leroy Chambers pulled a goal back with twenty minutes to go to set up a tense finish as the Tigers battled all the way.

Hyde’s goalscorers were withdrawn, Harrison with a hamstring injury and Dean to save himself from further rough treatment as he continued to run the defence ragged, but the reorganised team stuck to their guns to earn the victory. In the closing seconds, Steve Kennedy was sent off for a second yellow but the referee had lost control by then and the final whistle saved himself and both teams further embarrassment.

Hyde – Mullock, Gaynor, Hill, Adams, Mortimer, O’Kane, Harrison, Salt, Dean, Johnson, McNeil.Subs – Jones, Milligan, Mangan

Frickley – Ingham, Robinson, Lindley, Woolford, Kennedy, Daly, Pugh, Ashley, Nazha,Chambers, Collins.Subs – Evans, Russell, Foley.

Hyde continued to keep the pressure on league leaders Workington with this demolition of high-flying Burscough on Monday evening. This was a sensational game from the start as the Tigers looked for revenge after the mauling they received at Victory Park at the start of the year. Hyde set off like a train and could have been four goals up in the first five minutes. Matty McNeil had the ball in the net in the first minute, but was adjudged offside. Then Dale Johnson was inches wide after great play from Matty. Johnson, again, and Wayne Dean then both contrived to miss when clean through and the game wasn’t even five minutes old.

Burscough were on the back foot and after 15 minutes, Hyde had a strong case for a penalty as a defender appeared to handle. As the pace slackened a bit, the visitors, with the best goal scoring record in the league, came more into the game and two minutes after Paul Gedman had hit the bar, they hit the bar again and Mark Byrne was on hand to slot home on 37 minutes.

The second half started like the first as Hyde stormed up field and Gerry Harrison was on hand to sweep the ball home for his third goal in three games. The Tigers now had the bit between their teeth and eight minutes later, Johnson was tripped in the box, and Phil Salt converted the penalty. Once in front, Hyde never looked back and played their best football of the season as Burscough, potential play-off opposition. completely capitulated.

On 62 minutes Johnson set up Dean for the third, whilst Karl Bell was sent off for abusing the assistant who had kept his flag down, as Dale broke free. ‘Keeper David Newnes was lucky not to follow and the Gods looked favourably on him again with three minutes left as he hacked down new signing Andrew Mangan and only received a yellow. Jamie Milligan, on for Salt, slotted home the penalty. There was still time for McNeil to round off a great performance with a typical solo goal and for Dean to grab his second, as Burscough didn’t know what had hit them.

Hyde had played superbly from the start and had gone a long way to silence the fans who had been unimpressed with some of their recent home performances, despite an unbeaten run going back fifteen months. This had been a fantastic team effort in a thrilling game. Saturday’s visitors, Farsley must have been glad to be sitting in the stand rather than out their on the pitch.

Hyde – Mullock, Gaynor, Hill, Adams, Mortimer, O’Kane, Harrison, Salt, Dean, Johnson, McNeil.Subs – Jones, Milligan, Mangan

Burscough – Newnes, Barlow, Dames, Mc Kearney, Bell, Johnson, Bryne, Blackman, Gedman, Eaton, Bowen. Subs – Crowder, Tomlinson, O’Driscoll.

In a sensational Manchester Premier Cup Final, Dale Johnson scored twice in injury time to clinch the Trophy for the Tigers after they had been forced to come back four times by the young spirited Maine Road side. Woeful defending by both sides at wet and windy Boundary Park added to the excitement in a pulsating game with an unlikely seven goals coming in the last twenty minutes.

The first half was tame considering what was to follow as Gareth Richards gave Maine Road the lead on sixteen minutes after Hyde had needlessly given away a corner. Hyde equalised right on half time as Wayne Dean slotted home. The start of the second half was pretty even before Matty McNeil was introduced for Hyde and he started to trouble the defence immediately. However Colin Marshall curled a free kick around the wall and past a startled Tim Mullock to put the underdogs back in front. Hyde stormed up field and four minutes later, Paul Jones headed home Jamie Milligan’s corner. An alert assistant gave the goal as Maine Road scrambled clear. Unperturbed Richards ran through straight from the kick-off and within twenty seconds had slotted past Mullock, who had come racing out, to put Maine Road back in front.

It was now all Hyde as the underdogs wilted under the pressure and Craig Buckley equalised with seven minutes to go. It seemed a formality now for Hyde to go on and win, but they were shocked when Chris Crookes headed home to put Maine road back in front with just four minutes left. It looked like Hyde had committed defensive suicide, but with Maine Road tiring, Johnson snatched an equaliser seconds into injury time. Then sensationally Carl Barrowclough burst clear, he squared to Johnson, who had the simple task of slotting home for a great winner to leave Maine Road devastated.

A quite unbelievable game as Hyde took their goal tally to eleven for the week and also had a couple disallowed. It was hard on Maine Road who had given their all in a thrilling game. The Tigers now have April clear for their assault on the title, but they will have to defend better than this.

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

Maine Road – Hall, Mitchell, Jay, Howe, Bloore, Chappell, Clancey, Senior, Richards, Crookes, Gates.Subs – Simms, Marshall, Cheetham, Halligan.

Hyde received the Team of the Month award before the kick-off and not for the first time it proved to be the kiss of death in this top of the league encounter. After their heroics during the week, Hyde never got into their stride against a confident Farsley, who by the end, were comfortable winners and had completed a double over the Tigers. They ended Hyde’s unbeaten 15-month home run and were the last team to beat them way back in January.

On a gloriously sunny afternoon, Alex Mortimer had an early chance for Hyde before James Knowles curled a shot past Mullock on eleven minutes to give the visitors the lead. Hyde began to get their game together and after a couple more near misses, Lincoln Adams equalised just before half time from a Phil Salt free kick. Hyde’s joy was short-lived, however, as right on the whistle Amjad Iqbal put the visitors back in front after Mullock missed a cross.

The Tigers introduced Andrew Mangan for the second half to replace Gerry Harrison who had to go to hospital with concussion but Hyde conceded again with seconds of the restart as Mullock and John O’Kane left the ball for each other and allowed the impressive Curtis Bernard to nip in and score. Two dreadful goals to concede in a minute either side of the interval.

Hyde struggled to find the rhythm of recent games and could not sustain consistent pressure on the visitors’ defence. As the game became more scrappy, Iqbal was booked for a late ugly challenge on John Gaynor, but as Hyde pushed forward, Farsley burst down the left and Bernard was again on hand to add the final touch. Mangan pulled a goal back late on, his first for the club, but it was too little too late and although Neil Tolson had a late chance, it was Farsley who took the honours in what was in all honesty a pretty poor game.

The jinx of the Award had struck again but with the future of Spennymoor still in the balance, there will still be many more twists and turns before the season is out.

Hyde – Mullock, Gaynor, Hill, Adams, Mortimer, O’Kane, Harrison, Salt, Dean, Johnson, McNeil.Subs – Jones, Tolson, Mangan

Farsley – Cuss, McDaid, Serrant, Shields, Stabb, Dyson, Knowles, Iqbal, Bernard, Duxbury, Bett.Subs – Rickers, Pemberton, Stamer.

Hyde travelled to Spennymoor on Wednesday and secured three points from their fixture with bottom club Bishop Auckland with a professional performance in difficult circumstances. Steve Waywell made a number of positional changes moving Nicky Hill and John O’Kane into midfield, dropping Alex Mortimer to full back and recalling Paul Jones at the heart of the defence. Mortimer had a storming game whilst Jones looked like he had never been away.

The conditions were poor, as the pitch had not been rolled for some time and not helped by the wet and windy conditions. However the Tigers rode their luck when it mattered and two well-taken goals meant they left with three points. Bishop’s managed to miss two penalties and it cost them dearly

The first penalty was after just three minutes when Tim Mullock brought down Mark Sheeran, but Stuart Irvine blasted high and wide. This gave Hyde a wake up call and the first goal came on thirty minutes when a great piece of skill by Dale Johnson allowed Neil Tolson to head home. The Tigers had already gone close with Phil Salt clipping the bar and Tolson had a header that flashed wide. Unfortunately he had to withdraw minutes later with a hamstring problem, but within a minute Matty McNeil had doubled the score with a neat finish after another piece of Johnson magic had set him up.

Hyde defended resolutely in the second half to hold on to what they had but conceded a second penalty on 66 minutes when the unfortunate Mullock was adjudged to have fouled on the edge of the area. Irvine had already been substituted, so it was left to Sheeran to blast this one high and wide again.

The Tigers finished the stronger and Johnson could have capped a great performance with a late goal whilst Wayne Dean also went close.

Hyde – Mullock, Gaynor, Hill, Adams, Mortimer, O’Kane, Jones, Salt, Tolson, Johnson, McNeil.Subs – Dean. Milligan, Lynch

Bishop Auckland – Pennock, Coulthard, Morgan, Bell, Wilkinson, Foster, Robson, Salvin, Sheeran, L’Anson, Irvine. Subs – Woodhouse, Robson, Ward.

At Wincham Park on Saturday, Hyde only managed to draw in a game both teams were desperate to win. The final score does not reflect the drama of the game, which was in the balance to the last minute of injury time. Witton have always been a bogey team for Hyde and in the last 13 encounters at Northwich, Hyde have failed to register a victory, so perhaps it was a point won?

Witton started strongly and had two good shouts for penalties for handball before referee Johnson, who had a nightmare, awarded one after 20 minutes for handball against Paul Jones when the ball was lashed against him. Justice was seen to be done when Mike Moseley hit a weak shot against the post and was then penalised for touching the ball again. (The third penalty miss against the Tigers in the last two games)

The referee had already upset the travelling Hyde faithful by disallowing a Matty McNeil header after just four minutes. Matty headed home across the area from 15 yards, but after a long discussion the referee and his assistant disallowed it for offside against somebody else. His explanation later was far from convincing.

Hyde continued to dominate the first half with Nicky Hill, Dale Johnson and Phil Salt all going close. In the second half, Witton, now with the wind behind them, started well and within five minutes of the restart, Adam Foy burst through to put them in front. They then dominated for about twenty minutes and former Droylsden striker, Danny Byrne could have sealed it as he went round Tim Mullock, but shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Steve Waywell introduced all three subs for Hyde as he tried to inject some urgency into his team and Jamie Milligan immediately began to play and suddenly Witton were on the back foot. Craig Buckley, another sub, went close before Milligan got the all-important goal on 81 minutes when he drifted a free kick straight into the net from 30 yards out.

Now it was all Hyde and Buckley and Johnson left it for each other when either could have scored. Bugsy then hit the ‘keepers legs before an almighty scramble saw Hyde hit the bar three times before the ball was cleared. There were numerous close shaves, but the Tigers could not find the net as this thrilling match finished level. Both sides were unhappy with the officials at the end. Some of their decisions had been very poor, but they couldn’t be blamed for all the missed chances in the last ten minutes, which could yet prove costly.

Hyde – Mullock, Lynch, Hill, Adams, Mortimer, O’Kane, Jones, Salt, Dean, Johnson, McNeil. Subs – Mangan, Milligan, Buckley.

Witton Albion – Ralph, Farley, Latham, Pritchard, King, Byrne, Baker, Foy, Moseley, Spike, Lally.Subs – Yates, Connors, Hughes.

In the clash of the top two at Ewen Fields on Saturday, it was Workington who dominated the game, but Hyde who scraped the points to go top of the league, thanks to a last minute own goal. It couldn’t have been closer and the Tigers would have to admit they had been fortunate, even though Workington had to play the last thirty minutes with ten men and no recognised goalkeeper. He was never tested as Hyde could not exert any pressure.

Over 300 fans travelled from Cumbria in a crowd of over 1300 and they saw the visitors take the initiative from the start and never let Hyde get into their stride. Gary Cohen twice went close, but otherwise neither ‘keeper was troubled as Workington had plenty of the ball, but just couldn’t make their superiority count. Hyde’s only chance was a long range effort from Neil Tolson.

The second half continued in the same vein until drama unfolded on sixty minutes when Adam Collin handled a yard outside his area collecting a through ball. He was spotted by the sharp-eyed referee and was promptly sent off. Technically correct, but it was harsh. Craig Johnston took over in goal with Jamie Milligan inches over with the resultant free-kick, when one felt he only had to hit the target.

Despite being a man short, Workington continued to dominate, but without being penetrative up front. Both sides introduced their subs in a desperate attempt to snatch the points as a draw would have suited neither team. Milligan had a chance for Hyde, but it looked like it was too little too late.

However in the last minute, one of those subs, Alex Mortimer swung over an in-swinging corner from the right and Marc Green guarding the near post could only slice the ball into the net. Ecstasy for Hyde, but abject despair for Workington. There was still another six minutes of drama with injury time extended. Long enough for Workington to force two more corners with everybody, including the deputy goalie in the area. Hyde survived and could have added to their tally in the last seconds when Andrew Mangan burst clear and with the goal unguarded attempted a shot from the half way line, when he could have took the ball nearer.

Hyde hadn’t played well, but they had battled to the end and secured the points and at this time of the season, that is what counts. The news that Whitby had been beaten for the second match running only increased the celebrations at the end in Hyde’s last home game of the season.

Hyde – Mullock, Lynch, Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Harrison, Salt, Tolson, Johnson, McNeil. Subs – Mangan, Dean, Mortimer.

Workington – Collin, Varty, Green, May, Gray, Henney, Goulding, Birks, Cohen, Johnston, Eccles.Subs – Wharton, Hewson, Archibald.

In a game both sides were desperate to win neither could gain the initiative and a pulsating match finished all square. That really is only part of the story as the Tigers came from two goals down and in an absolutely fabulous second half, both teams had chances to seal it. The excellent referee, Mr Thompson , added to the enjoyment and he said it was the best game he had refereed all season. The match had everything with the woodwork being hit twice, goal-line clearances and chances going missing when it seemed easier to score, but nevertheless Hyde were disappointed after giving themselves a mountain to climb with some crazy defending.

After Hyde had dominated the early stages, Leek took the lead on 23 minutes when the visitors gave away a needless corner and from the cross the impressive Darryl Proffitt hit home from the edge of the area courtesy of a deflection. Five minutes later Leek had another, after a Phil Salt corner had been belted upfield. Hyde were left short at the back and Dean Butterworth scored at the second attempt. How Leek managed to have three attackers to one Hyde defender, only the absent defenders can answer.

Hyde suddenly began to realise they were in a game and after Neil Tolson had hit the woodwork, he was on the spot five minutes later to head home a minutes before half time. After a half time rollicking, the Tigers re-emerged for the second period and looked a totally different team. Leek were penned back and after Mark Cartwright had made a number a good saves and plenty of near misses, Craig Buckley was introduced on 65 minutes. He could have scored within a minute, but seconds later, Matty McNeil equalised. Time for a grandstand finish as both sides had chances to win it as the game flowed from end to end. Neither team could apply the killer touch and ultimately had to settle for a draw, but the match will be remembered for some considerable time. Man of the match for Hyde for the second match running was Paul Jones as he inspired all around him.

Hyde – Mullock, Lynch, Hill, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Harrison, Salt, Tolson, Mangan, McNeil.Subs – Buckley, Dean, Mortimer.

Leek – Cartwright, Yates, Wooliscroft, Sutton, Heathcote, Hawthorne, Proffitt, MacPherson, Whittaker, Butterworth, Brown.Subs – Crowe, Haddrell, Johnson.

Hyde secured their first piece of silverware on Friday by securing the Peter Swales Memorial Shield with an emphatic victory at Unibond Cup Winners, Matlock Town.

Hyde were in control from the start and took the lead on eleven minutes when Dale Johnson headed home David Moore’s cross. The Tigers went further in front ten minutes later when a brilliant piece of skill from Nicky Clee set up Steve Brackenridge, who made no mistake.

For the rest of the game, Hyde were in cruise control with Clee and Johnson causing all sorts of problems for the overworked Matlock defence. The home team were never allowed to get into their stride and were a pale shadow of the team, which impressed at Hyde last March.

Phil Salt hit the bar with a delicate chip early in the second half , whilst plenty of other chances went begging. Matlock staged a late rally but the Tigers defence stood firm and showed why they are yet to concede a goal in the pre-season games.

An impressive performance on the night, but there will be sterner tests ahead.

Hyde – Westhead, Allen, Hill, Jones, Brackenridge, O’Kane, Harrison, Salt, Johnson, Clee, Moore.Subs – Armstrong, Buckley, Garner.