data

FAC = F.A. Cup, FAT = F.A.Trophy, MPC = Manchester Premier Cup, CSC = Cheshire Senior Cup,
qr = Qualifying Round, qf =Quarter Final sf =Semi Final # = Sent OFF

Hyde came away with nothing from a very wet Harrogate in their first Conference North fixture. Given the circumstances, they were probably a bit unlucky, but nevertheless never really threatened the home side despite plenty of possession.

The Tigers were already without four regulars through injury and were further rocked before the kick-off when Nicky Clee failed a fitness test and John O’Kane was absent attending the birth of his child. Things got worse for Hyde as the previously doubtful Nicky Hill limped off after just 25 minutes.

Despite the setbacks and a sluggish nervous start, Gerry Harrison filled in admirably at the back, aided by man of the match Paul Jones, and the Tigers eventually got their passing game together but in a drab first half the only danger from the home side was when Mark Westhead struggled to hold the slippery ball.

The second half followed a similar pattern with both teams cancelling each other out, but with Hyde having the majority of possession. A no score draw looked likely until Tony Lennon deceived the unhappy Westhead with a swerving shot with just twenty minutes left. Hyde fought back bravely and Phil Salt was inches wide. Wayne Dean caused some problems after he came on for a disappointing Dale Johnson, and Matty McNeil battled strongly all afternoon, but overall the Tigers looked lightweight up front and desperately missed Neil Tolson. Regretfully Neil will be missing for a while yet, but the first priority has to be to get the injured players back as soon as possible.

The tannoy announcer amused Hyde fans with his suggestion that Harrogate were a Conference National team in a Conference town. On this showing they have a long way to go, whilst Hyde showed they can compete at this level despite being ravaged by injuries.

Hyde – Westhead, Lynch, Garner, Jones, Hill, Brackenridge, Harrison, Salt, Johnson, Milligan, McNeil. Subs – Gaynor, Dean, Armstrong, Allen, Clee.

Harrogate – Price, Dunning, Mason, Wood, Stoneman, Lennon, Coupe, Hunter, Smith, Grant, Philpott. Subs – Nogan, Wray, Ryan, Preston, Sutcliffe

In an entertaining game at Ewen Fields last Monday, Hyde gained their first point in Conference North against Workington, but will have been disappointed not to have taken all three with the visitors equalising in the first minute of injury time.

Last season encounters were all close and this was no different with chances coming thick and fast after Dale Johnson had given Hyde the lead on 9 minutes. Hyde failed to capitalise on their early advantage and were later made to pay for not increasing their lead. Matty McNeil was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty and John O’Kane should have done better when well placed.

In the second half, Workington stepped up the pace and Mark Westhead, after his nightmare on Saturday, produced three great saves to keep the visitors at bay. Adam Collin at the other end was also on top form as the game ebbed and flowed. Substitute Wayne Dean was flattened in the box, but the referee waved away appeals for a penalty and Hyde were forced back. Entering four minutes of added time, Wayne Gordon broke down the left and squared across for Tony Hopper to bundle the ball home.

It was hard on Hyde who had showed a much improved performance on Saturday, but they were left to rue not capitalising when they were on top in the first half. With five regulars still missing, there is plenty of room for hope for optimism in the coming weeks.

Hyde – Westhead, Lynch, Garner, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Brackenridge, Salt, Clee, Johnson, McNeil.Subs – Dean, Armstrong, Moore, Allen, Harrison.

Workington – Collin, Hewson, Green, May, Gray, Henney, Johnston, Hopper, Hamilton, Arnold, Dillon. Subs – Archibald, Graham, Goulding, Gordon, Summerskil.

The injury ravaged Tigers again found the going tough in Conference North against a strong well-disciplined Stafford Rangers side who had yet to concede a goal when they arrived at Ewen Fields. Hyde still managed to play some pretty football through Jamie Milligan, but were outfought where it mattered by the more physical visitors. Hyde also learnt you cannot afford to give away free kicks at this level close to goal.

Craig Dudley made his debut, but Nicky Hill and Phil Salt failed fitness tests to add to the long list of missing players.

In an exciting first ten minutes John O’Kane headed against the bar for Hyde whilst Kevin Street stuck a post for the visitors. As the game settled down the impressive Peter Thompson had a couple of chances for Stafford and was a continual threat to the Tigers back line with his physical presence and good control. However it was Hyde who took the lead when good play from Dale Johnson set up Steve Brackenridge, who made no mistake. Overall Dale had another disappointing afternoon struggling against tough defenders and not able to support the impressive Matty McNeil in the areas where you can hurt the opposition. Hyde’s joy was short-lived as Thompson headed home a free-kick seconds before the interval.

The second half belonged to Stafford. They had a goal disallowed on 54 minutes, but from another free-kick six minutes later, Wayne Daniel headed them in front. They never looked like they would relinquish the lead and after good work from man of the match Neil Grayson, Street added another. Thompson was only foiled by a superb save from Mark Westhead as Hyde had little left in the tank.Milligan was nearest with one of his own free-kicks.

On the day, the Tigers had been well beaten and although in his programme notes, Steve Waywell said it would take 5 or 6 games to get into the pace of the league, he will have to address the make up of his predominately diminutive side, who apart from Mc Neil and Paul Jones lost every header in key areas.

Hyde – Westhead, Lynch, Garner, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Harrison, Brackenridge, Dudley, Johnson, McNeil. Subs – Dean, Armstrong, Moore, Salt, Adams.

Stafford Rangers – Anyon, Groves, Talbott, McAughtrie, Daniel, Lovatt, Downes, Street, Thompson, Grayson, Gibson. Subs – Powell, Dodd, Murray, Walker, Smith.

Hyde were ultimately beaten by Kettering at Rockingham Road but certainly deserved something from an action packed game, which resulted in more than 15 minutes added time. In what was never a dirty game, three players finished up at Kettering General including ‘keeper Mark Westhead who suffered a blow to the cheek. Hyde were forced to play the last 25 minutes with winger Craig Dudley in goal but still managed to produce their best football of the game and were desperately unlikely not to grab a point by the end.

When Dale Johnson put Hyde in front after five minutes there were no signs of the drama to come until twenty one minutes when Paul Armstrong crunched into Jamie Paterson on the edge of the box and received a yellow card. Paterson went off on a stretcher and straight to casualty. From the resultant free kick, Ollie Burgess equalised after a wicked deflection off John O’Kane. Kettering went in front right on half time with a brilliant opportunist goal from Christian Moore. He grabbed another six minutes after the break following poor defending and all seemed lost for the Tigers.

However half time replacements Jamie Milligan and Phil Salt started to dictate matters in midfield and within minutes Johnson had a shot scrambled off the line whilst Mark Osborn saved brilliantly from Matty McNeil. Matty had another great game but received no protection from a totally ineffective referee who time and time again was found wanting with key decisions.

A long break ensued with treatment for Westhead before he too was rushed for casualty and Hyde reshuffled for the second time. Chris Lynch flattened Andy Hall in a 50/50 challenge and he too was on the ambulance shuttle. Salt and Johnson were booked as the Tigers frustrations began to show, especially when Wayne Dean was hacked down and the referee, only yards away, played on. Unperturbed Dean had a shot cleared off the line and then Milligan was inches wide with a free kick. Another Milligan free kick was glanced in by McNeil to set up a grandstand finish. A Milligan shot cannoned off Osborn’s knees but it proved to be too little too late as once again defensive frailties had given Hyde a mountain to climb.

Hyde – Westhead, Lynch, Armstrong, Jones, Clee, O’Kane, Harrison, Brackenridge, Dudley, Johnson, McNeil. Subs – Dean, Milligan, Garner, Pilkington, Salt.

Kettering – Osborn, Duik, Gould, Solkhon, McIlwain, Brown, Burgess, Robinson, McDougald, Moore, Paterson. Subs – Nicell, Essandoh, Difante, Midgley, Hall.

Hyde again found the going tough on Monday night as they conceded a goal two minutes into injury time to suffer another reverse in a game they should have won comfortably. After the game Steve Waywell said he was ‘gutted’ and it was easy to understand why. With five regulars still missing, the Tigers had still managed to dominate the game, but their defensive frailties were once again on show with nine goals now conceded in the last three games.

The Tigers dominated the first half and John O’Kane, Dale Johnson and Steve Brackenridge had all gone close before Christopher White scored with a sweet left footer from fully twenty five yards on forty minutes. Hyde were level within a minutes as a Phil Salt free kick from a long way out drifted past an unsighted Gregg Smith.

It was still all Hyde in the second period and when they did manage to get a shot on target, they found Smith in fine form. With twelve minutes remaining, Matty McNeil was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Clarke, when it looked like a handball from the defender. The free kick was drifted in and White was on hand to lash the ball home with a deflection off O’Kane. He showed his frustration by kicking the ball out of the ground and was rightly booked.

A grandstand finish followed with Hyde storming upfield and Brackenridge, who had been excellent throughout, scored with two minutes remaining. There was still time for Wayne Dean to be thwarted by a brave Smith before Alfreton went forward deep into injury time and Mark Westhead’s punch fell straight to Neil Ross who headed it back for Mark Blount to head an unlikely winner.

It was hard on Hyde who had played some excellent football throughout, but they are learning the hard way that mistakes at the back are severely punished at this level and Waywell knows he needs to address this without delay.

Hyde – Westhead, Lynch, Armstrong, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Brackenridge, Salt, Dudley, Johnson, McNeil. Subs – Dean, Adams, Allen, Pilkington, Moore.

Alfreton – Smith (G), Clarke, Turner, Robinson, Blount, Donovan, Blunt, Fisher, Ross, Duffield, White. Subs – Stevenson, Nwadike, Powell, Woolley. Smith (S).

Hyde came back from the dead at sunny Barrow with two goals in the last two minutes after all had seemed lost when the Cumbrians had notched their second goal with just four minutes left. However it was Hyde’s never –say-die attitude which gave them a somewhat fortuitous point, but in this season of terrible luck thus far, they are happy to take whatever is on offer. Hopefully the season can now be kick-started.

Playing against a strong breeze in the first half, the Tigers were frequently overrun in midfield and were hampered when Mark Westhead took another blow on his already painful head when Guy Hefferman needlessly followed through. Battle they did and both Matty Mcneil and Dale Johnson had chances to score but both delayed their shots. At the other end John O’Kane cleared one off the line but overall it was pretty torrid stuff on a pleasant late summer’s afternoon. Paul Jones cleared another off the line twenty minutes into the second half, but five minutes later, O’Kane brought down the lively substitute Michael Rankine in the box and Scott Maxfield made no mistake from the spot.

Rankine hit a post minutes later and when Graham Anthony struck one just inside the post on 86 minutes it looked all over for the visitors, but with just two minutes left Jamie Milligan floated over an inch perfect free-kick and O’Kane was on hand to head the ball home for what looked like a consolation. But with just seconds remaining another free-kick was headed on by a Barrow defender and McNeil was on hand to head home past a startled Simon Bishop, who hadn’t made a save in the game. More drama as the assistant referee flagged for offside, but after Hyde protestations, the inconsistent referee consulted with the assistant, ascertained that the defender had touched the ball and the goal stood much to the anger of the partisan home crowd. A minute later, the game was all over with a point in the bag. Hopefully it is the bit of luck needed to get the Tigers going in this tough environment.

Hyde – Westhead, Armstrong, Milligan, Jones, Hill, O’Kane, Brackenridge, Salt, Dudley, Johnson, McNeil. Subs – Dean, Lynch, Pilkington, Adams, Harrison.

Barrow – Bishop, Hefefrman, Maxfield, Edmondson, Cotterill, Cowan, Flitcroft, Anthony, Wilford, Knight,Forde. Subs – Ridley, Tarrant, Rankine, Rushton, Morsby.

How the weather can change in a week! After last week’s glorious sunshine, this week it was torrential rain and semi darkness and the first time I can remember an afternoon game in early September played under floodlights.

However in the “Battle of the Tigers” at sodden Worksop, Hyde were desperately unlucky not to claim all three points in a game they dominated. It needed an injury time equaliser to thwart them, but it was another encouraging performance nevertheless, after they had welcomed back Nicky Clee, Lincoln Adams and Nicky Hill from injury to give the side a more balanced look.

Hyde had most of the play in the first half with Dale Johnson, superb throughout, and Matty McNeil, not far behind him, wreaking havoc in the Worksop defence and with more composure in front of goal could have gone in at half time well in front.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Hyde mauling the home Tigers to such an extent the sparse crowd were shouting for the Manager and Board to resign with the home team arguing amongst themselves as well. The visitors were eventually rewarded when the referee gave a penalty for a foul on Johnson. It needed a consultation with his assistant after he had originally given the kick outside the area. Jamie Milligan slotted home, but only just. In fact Hyde should have had a penalty earlier as Johnson was clearly pushed off the ball when well placed. There were chances to increase the lead as Worksop pushed forward, but Hyde failed to capitalise.

In the end they were made to pay for their misses. In the first minute of five added on, Mark Westhead made a brilliant save, but from the resultant corner, Antony Jackson headed home. It was cruel on Hyde who had given so much to the game in atrocious conditions.

Hyde – Westhead, Adams, Armstrong, Jones, Hill, O’Kane, Milligan, Salt, Clee, Johnson, McNeil.Subs – Brackenridge, Dean, Lynch, Dudley, Harrison.

Worksop – Sollitt, Oldham, Davies, Kirkwood, Jackson, Simpkins, Hansen, Dempsey, Godber, Flanaghan, Norton. Subs – Wilson, Owens, Payne, Thorpe, Ratcliffe

Hyde eventually gained their first competitive victory of the season with a workmanlike performance over Vauxhall in the first round of the Unibond Cheshire Senior Cup. This was not a vintage performance by any stretch of the imagination, but the Tigers did what they had to do, and hopefully there is now something to build on.

The Tigers took the lead on 38 minutes when Steve McNulty brought down Steve Brackenridge in the area and Jamie Milligan scored easily from the spot. McNulty could have scored minutes earlier but for a brilliant save from Jean Paul Ndjebayi. Hyde increased their lead right on half-time when a quick free-kick found the Vauxhall defence asleep and ‘keeper Tim Dittmer brought down the industrious Brackenridge. Milligan sent him the wrong way with a shot into the top corner.

Although Vauxhall had plenty of possession, it was always Hyde who looked the most dangerous and Matty McNeil slotted home number three on seventy minutes after a good run down the right by Craig Dudley and it was Dudley himself, ten minutes later, who crowned a much improved personal performance when he superbly finished after being set up by McNeil. Vauxhall became aggressive as the frustration grew in the final stages and picked up four bookings as the Tigers cruised home.

Hyde – Westhead, Adams, Lynch, Jones, Hill, O’Kane, Milligan, Brackenridge, Clee, Johnson, McNeil. Subs – Dean, Harrison, Dudley.

Vauxhall – Dittmer, Woodyatt, McDermott, Glendinning, McNulty, Spellman, Garrity, Lawton, Addo, Moogan, McNutt. Subs – Duffy, Szmid, Brazier.

Hyde recorded their first league victory of the season at Ewen Fields on Saturday, but not only that they also kept their second consecutive clean sheet and the first one in the league. The Tigers gave a debut to new signing Danny Caldecott who had a steady debut in defence.

The Tigers got off to a dream start after only three minutes when Jamie Milligan opened the scoring volleying the ball into the roof of the net after a flick on by Matty McNeil. Liam Needham and Matty Cauldwell caused problems for the home defence but Gainsborough were unable to seek a equaliser.

Hyde could have increased their lead when Dale Johnson had a chance cleared off the line and the resulting follow up from McNeil hitting the post. Nicky Clee also made a great run from the heart of midfield only to see his shot go past the post.

Liam Needham scored directly from a corner for the visitors only for referee Mr Tierney to disallow the goal for a push on keeper Mark Westhead.

Hyde doubled their lead on 55 minutes when keeper Jamie Holmshaw parried a shot from Johnson and McNeil picked up the rebound to tap home. Substitute Craig Dudley almost made it three late on in the game crashing the ball against the cross bar from 15 yards in the dying minutes and Johnson going close with the follow up effort.

It was just the tonic that the home fans needed, with other results seeing the Tigers climb out of the relegation zone, and it will hopefully be the springboard to move up the league.

Hyde United Westhead, Adams, Caldecott, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Brackenridge, Hill, Clee, Johnson, McNeil Subs Dean, Lynch, Armstrong, Dudley, Salt

Gainsborough Holmshaw, Ellis, Reeves, Steadman, Wood, Parker, Burley, Pell, Sherlock, Cauldwell, Needham, Subs Marcelle, Rowan, Holmes, Higgins, Trout.

Hyde progressed through to the next round of the FA Cup with an impressive performance against a workmanlike Lancaster side to make it an unhappy return to Tameside for Phil Wilson. Although the Tigers will be content with the prize money, the day was marred by a serious injury to skipper John O’Kane who was taken to hospital with a possible rupture of his Achilles tendon. A long lay-off is likely.

The Tigers started well with Phil Salt replacing the injured Nicky Hill and took the lead on 10 minutes when Lincoln Adams headed towards goal and Dale Johnson nipped in front of Tony McMillan to score. Hyde’s joy was short-lived however, as five minutes later O’Kane was carried off and within a minute, Lancaster has equalised with a superb header from Alex Taylor. Hyde stormed upfield and from Salt’s corner, Paul Jones headed home to put the Tigers back in front. It was Jones’ first goal of the season and couldn’t have been timed better.

As usual, Hyde created chance after chance but failed to capitalise and were lucky just on half-time when Nick Rogan pounced on a misplaced header from Chris Lynch, but managed to put his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

Lancaster made two substitutions at half time and had plenty of possession after the break, but couldn’t breakdown the Hyde defence despite the loss of the influential O’Kane. Adams rose to the task in the centre alongside the immaculate Jones, ably supported by Lynch and Danny Caldecott on the flanks. Mark Westhead hardly had a shot to save, but was kept busy by plenty of high balls into the box.

Matty McNeil and Johnson worked hard up front and overall it was a good professional performance from the Tigers as they continue to adjust to the better and more organised opposition from Conference North. It was a shame there were not more to see it on such a sunny day, but perhaps the crowd of 333 was not too bad considering all the Tameside teams were at home.

Hyde United Westhead, Adams, Caldecott, Jones, Milligan, O’Kane, Brackenridge, Salt, Clee, Johnson, McNeilS ubs Dean, Lynch, Armstrong, Harrison, Ndjebayi

Lancaster City McMillan, Morris, Scott, Mcmahon, Swan, Howson, Eckersley, Taylor, Jones, Rogan, Elderton. Subs Sullivan, Black, Bond, Urberscar, Bauress.

Hyde survived a first half battering at title chasing Nuneaton to outplay the home side in the second half only to concede a goal six minutes from time, when a goalless draw looked the most likely result. It was hard on the Tigers who had battled against a strong breeze in the first half and endured constant pressure from the home side, which included six successive corners at one stage.

The Tigers started sluggishly and Nuneaton took full advantage with the wind at their backs on a pleasant autumn afternoon. The Hyde defence, with Nicky Hill replacing the absent John O’Kane, were subjected to wave after wave of attacks, but the defence stood firm with the help of Matty McNeil who headed one off the line from under the bar. Mark Westhead was in great form and the Tigers were mighty relieved to go in all square at the interval, although Nicky Clee had a great chance right at the end of the half, but shot over.

The second half was a different story however. Hyde got their passing game together and repeatedly caused problems for the suspect Nuneaton defence. Dale Johnson was desperately unlucky to see a shot cannon off the post and then go along the goal-line before being cleared. In all honesty he should have scored, but he was unlucky minutes later when Darren Acton saved with his legs.

Westhead was still saving everything Nuneaton could muster and made a great double save on 75 minutes, which looked like he had secured a point for the Tigers. However with time running out, substitute Brain Quailey benefited from some slack play from Hyde’s midfield in giving the ball away, and although Westhead’s despairing dive got a hand to the ball, the ball hit the net for an unlikely winner.

It was harsh on the Tigers after they had showed tremendous character in fighting back to take the game to Nuneaton, but with only one win in nine league games, Hyde are realising you get punished at this level for mistakes and not taking chances. Hopefully Neil Tolson will be back shortly to add some punch upfront and take the chances when they come.

Hyde United Westhead, Adams, Caldecott, Jones, Milligan, Hill, Brackenridge, Salt, Clee, Johnson, McNeil Subs Dean, Lynch, Armstrong, Dudley, Ndjebayi

Nuneaton Borough Acton, Oddy, Love, Reeves, Moore, Angus, Collins, Noon, Frew, Murphy, Staff. Subs Quailey, Poole, Whittake, Wilkin, Fitzpatrick.

How Hyde managed to lose this FA Cup tie is beyond belief. Seemingly cruising against a very average Barrow side, the Tigers contrived to concede three goals in the last 17 minutes, but then missed at least two sitters in the last minute, which would at least have given them something from a game they looked like winning for most of a very wet afternoon. Barrow couldn’t believe their luck and to compound the felony went home £5,000 better off.

All started so well with Hyde two up in no time. Dale Johnson headed the first after good work from Matty McNeil and Matty was again the provider as Nicky Clee added number two. Lincoln Adams hit the bar and there were plenty more chances as Matty and Dale ran the Barrow back five ragged. It just seemed how many Hyde would score.

Barrow reorganised after the interval but the Tigers should have had a third when Johnson set up Paul Armstrong whose shot cannoned off a post to safety. This proved to be a turning point as ten minutes later Graham Anthony pulled one back for Barrow. Panic then set in for Hyde as they defended more deeply and continually gave the ball away. Nationwide player of the month Gavin Knight grabbed a second with nine minutes left with both goals coming from sloppy defending.

Hyde still had a chance for a winner before Graham Anthony slotted home his second with just a minute left. It looked like a clear foul on Hyde ‘keeper Jean Paul Ndjebayi, but the referee would have none of it and the goal stood. Although the ref had started well, he too, had got caught up in all the frenzy and made some astonishing decisions in the last quarter. None worse than an awful tackle on Armstrong, which could have merited a red card, but his only action was to admonish the recipient for his reaction. It summed up Hyde’s afternoon.

With an unknown amount of injury time to come, the Tigers piled forward and Johnson found himself in the clear, but his shot struck the legs of Bishop and rebounded to safety. Jamie Milligan was inches wide with a free-kick which everybody left, when it looked easier to score, and Hyde were out. Quite how will remain a mystery for a long time to come.

Hyde United Ndjebayi, Adams, Caldecott, Jones, Milligan, Hill, Brackenridge, Armstrong, Clee, Johnson, McNeil Subs Dean, Lynch, Salt, Pearson, Dudley (for Clee 80mins)

Barrow Bishop, Howarth, Maxfield, Edmondson, Smith, Cowan, Flitcroft, Anthony, Anthony, Tarrant, Knight, Ridley. Subs Rushton, Cotterill, Huffernan, Gough, Morsby.