LEAGUE SEASON 2006 - 07

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

12-08-06  KETTERING TOWN 1 HYDE UNITED 0  LGE att.1208

This was always going to be a tough encounter for the Tigers and so it proved. However Hyde could not have bargained for a zealous set of officials who collected seven bookings from Hyde in a game without a bad tackle.

Kettering were big and strong and backed by a loud partisan crowd, and seemingly wanted to win at all costs. This was emphasised after 18 minutes when Craig Dootson put the ball out so that Earl Davis could have some attention to a facial wound. The home side did not give the ball back and almost scored. Hyde were incensed with Lincoln Adams and Nathan Wharton booked for their reaction in a scuffle. Kettering then took the game to the Tigers for the rest of the first half. However Neil Prince could have scored for Hyde and a couple of other chances went begging. Just as it looked like the Tigers had weathered the storm, the home side scored right on half-time through the impressive Zema Abbey.

Hyde were again under siege at the start of the second half and were indebted to Dootson, who made three superb saves. The Tigers clawed their way back into the game and Wharton brought a great save from Mark Osborn. The visitors then had much of the play for twenty minutes after the introduction of Dale Johnson and could, and probably should, have grabbed an equaliser. Despite some close shaves and a couple of penalty appeals, Hyde finished with nothing against one of the League’s favourites this season.

The match will best be remembered for some bizarre refereeing from initially Mr Murphy who collected 6 bookings in the first half and was roundly booed off the pitch at half-time by both sets of fans. He did not reappear for the second half with Mr Legg taking over who proceeded to add another three names for what can best be described as run of the mill tackles. It was a shame they were so zealous as they spoilt an otherwise pretty good game.

Kettering – Osborn, Koo-Boothe, Graham, Solkhon, McIlwain, Okai, Hall, Boucard, Abbey, Westcarr, Olaleye Subs – Howe, Marna, Makofo, Nicell, Bussey

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Hill, Wharton, Flynn, Davis, Smith, Pickford, Harrison, Seddon, Prince. Subs – Johnson, Rick, Lynch, Caldecott, Carnell


REPORT BY TONY BEARD

14-08-06   HYDE UNITED  4  VAUXHALL MOTORS  1  MPC qr att.192

After missing a bagful of chances, Hyde went into the last twenty minutes a goal down and looking like they were going out of the competition. However a Gareth Seddon hat-trick in fourteen minutes changed all that as Hyde mounted a storming finish to settle this tie. The old adage that goals change games was certainly true here once Seddon had grabbed an equaliser on 72 minutes.

Three minutes later Lincoln Adams made a telling interception and fed Nathan Wharton, who was brought down by substitute goalkeeper Paul Jones. Seddon made no mistake from the spot. Six minutes later, Earl Davis was on hand to head home after the Vauxhall defence had failed to clear a corner. The unfortunate Jones then brought down Dale Johnson just inside the area and Seddon calmly slotted home the penalty to complete his hat-trick.

Earlier, former Tiger, Anthony Wright had given the Motormen the lead on 14 minutes when he was on hand to head home after the ball had come back off the post. Steve Smith operating on the left wing for Hyde created trouble for the Vauxhall defence everytime he got the ball and he was the main inspiration for Hyde’s fightback. Both sides had gone into the game with long lists of injuries, but it was Hyde who showed they had greater depth in their squad despite the presence of three reserve team players. Hyde now play at Cammell Laird in the First Round Proper on September 12^th.

Hyde United – Carnell, Adams, Lynch, Wharton, Flynn, Davis, Smith, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Rick. Subs – Hill, Shirley, Rowbottom, Monaghan, Harrison.

Vauxhall Motors – Lake, Duffy, James, ness, McNulty, Griffiths, Lawless, furlong, Martindale, Wright, Whittaker. Subs – Addo, Jones, O’Donnell, Spellman, Thomas

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

This should have been a stroll for the Hyde Tigers compared to the previous week but despite a promising start, Hyde faded badly and were not helped by a debatable penalty awarded when the ball appeared to be out of play. The Worksop Tigers took full advantage and went home with the points.

Hyde took the lead on 20 minutes when Earl Davis’ header was deflected past Steve Wilson. Another chance off the line and everything was looking good until Lee Thompson caught the home defence square and slotted past Craig Dootson five minutes before half-time.

Worksop went in front on 57 minutes through Tony Crane after Dootson was adjudged to have fouled. A harsh decision, made worse by the fact the ball had gone out of play. Although Steve Pickford hit a post and Hyde had a strong penalty claim themselves turned down, by the inconsistent referee, it was too much for Hyde to get back into the game.

Steve Waywell can point to a handful of injuries, but the players out there should have been enough to win the game on the day. The crowd was a woeful 349 and there has to be much improvement with home form if the Tigers are not going to start like they did last year. With play-off aspirations, there is no time to lose. There was some good news as Hyde Reserves playing their first ever game in the Lancashire League won 2-1 at Ossett Albion

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Lynch, Wharton, Flynn, Davis, Smith, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Eyres.Subs – Hill, Harrison, Shirley, Rick, Carnell

Worksop – Wilson, Nicholson, Davies, Downey, Dawson, Simpkins, Thompson, Robinson, Harwood, Crane, Norton. Subs – Parton, Owens, Evertett, Froggatt, Jackson

 
REPORT BY TONY BEARD

Hyde secured their first point of the season at the Impact Arena, but it so easily could have been three if it hadn’t been for a stunning equaliser from Emeka Nwadike a minute from time. This after the Tigers had trailed for almost an hour after Ryan Clarke had put the home side in front after just seven minutes.

The Tigers recalled Gerry Harrison to anchor midfield with Steve Smith dropping to the bench in an otherwise unchanged team, but Hyde struggled in the first half after going behind and Steve Waywell introduced Smith at half time.

The second half was a different story as Hyde stepped up the pace and equalised on 64 minutes when David Eyres lashed home a free kick. Sixteen minutes later, Steve Pickford added a second, scoring from long range after the home side had failed to clear a corner.

Just when it looked like Hyde would take all the points, Alfreton broke down the wing allowing Nwadike to take his chance. A draw was probably a fair result but it was oh so close for Hyde.

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Lynch, Wharton, Flynn, Davis, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Eyres. Subs – Hill, Smith, Shirley, Rick, Carnell

Alfreton – Roberts, Clarke, Bernard, Sucharewych, Turner, Melton, Nwadike, Ebdon, Palmer, Whitman, Tiday. Subs – Featherstone, Glass, Mitchell, Mills, Wall

 
REPORT BY TONY BEARD

After plenty of hype from the opposition in the build-up, Hyde secured a late point at Farsley to silence the home crowd. Farsley still believe that Hyde were not champions fourteen months ago and it should have been them despite an appeal to The High Court which went in Hyde’s favour.

In fact, the Tigers had more pressing things on their mind as Nathan Wharton was forced to pull out of the starting line up seconds before the start due to sickness. Gerry Harrison made a hasty move from the subs bench to play. 

Hyde had the better of the first half, for although the home side had more possession, the Tigers always looked more likely to score. A couple of close shaves and a goal disallowed was all Hyde had to show for their first half endeavours.

In the second period, it was Farsley who stepped up the pace and took the lead on 55 minutes through Gareth Grant. Steve Waywell immediately introduced the fit again Neil Prince for Steve Smith with Danny Caldecott, also returning, replacing the injured Chris Lynch.

The Tigers had not shown the passion of the previous Tuesday and looked to be down and out until a minute from time, Dale Johnson made his first telling contribution of the game by slotting past Paul Cuss in the Farsley goal. A goal out of nothing, but a point the Tigers were happy to take home and thereby silencing the partisan home crowd.

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Lynch, Harrison, Flynn, Davis, Smith, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Eyres. Subs – Rick, Prince, Brackenridge, Caldecott, Carnell

Farsley – Cuss, Walls, Pemberton, Knowles, Crossley, Serrant, Watson, Midgley, Grant, Reeves, Stammer. Subs – Stabb, Hotte, Toulson, Shields, Sanasy

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

In a free flowing game on Bank Holiday Monday, Hyde and Barrow shared the points, but both teams will feel they had done enough to win. Barrow shaded the first half, whilst the Tigers had the better of the second.

Both teams had early chances before the visitors deservedly took the lead on 37 minutes through Alex Taylor following a corner. Before then Craig Dootson had made two superb saves to keep Hyde in the game.

The half time team talk from Barrow and the ubiquitous Phil Wilson will have been hold on to what we have, but that went out of the window within 30 seconds as Steve Brackenridge punished slack defending to score an equaliser.

The game was now anybody’s and as Hyde stepped up the pace with Steve Pickford inspiring the midfield, although Barrow were still dangerous on the counter-attack but found Dootson in top form with another three astonishing saves.

Not to be outdone, Jamie Speare at the other end produced three great saves to thwart the Tigers as they launched a late onslaught. However, Paul Jones returning to Ewen Fields, stood firm in the centre of the defence and Barrow held out.

A pleasing game with a minimal amount of free-kicks and little interference from the Referee, but it left Hyde still searching for that elusive first victory.

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Caldecott, Harrison, Flynn, Davis, Brackenridge, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Prince. Subs – Wharton, Smith, Rick, Shirley, Tolson.

Barrow – Speare, Eckersley. Butler, Jones, Cotterill, Howson, Wilson, Bond, Pope, Taylor, Stringfellow. Subs – Rogan, Flitcroft, Smith, Brown, Heffernan.

 REPORT BY TONY BEARD



09-09-06  HYDE UNITED 3 GAINSBOROUGH 0  LGE att.311

Before the game the omens were good that this would be the Tigers first league win of the season. Last season Hyde played Gainsborough with just a cup win against Vauxhall under their belt and went on to register their first league victory of the season. This season the Tigers had already secured the cup win against Vauxhall, so it followed on that the visitors would again be the fall-guys and so it proved.

However that doesn’t tell the whole story. A three-goal victory looks comfortable enough, but the scoreline flattered Hyde as two goals came in injury time. For much of the game, the Tigers were on the back foot as the visitors completed dominated midfield from start to finish putting the Hyde defence under tremendous pressure at times. It must be said that despite all the pressure, Craig Dootson had hardly a save to make. In fact, it was his opposite number, Adam Sollitt who had all the saves to make on rare Hyde breakaways.

On a gloriously sunny afternoon in front of a desperately low crowd of just over 300, it was the visitors who took the initiative from the kick-off before Nick Ellis made an elementary error to allow Dale Johnson to run through and score on eleven minutes. Hyde were on the defensive for much of the rest of the half, but almost snatched a second when a superb cross field ball from David Eyres found Neil Prince who set up Gareth Seddon, but Sollitt made a great save. 

In the second half it was again the visitors who held the upper hand in what was a pretty woeful game, not helped by some eccentric decisions from the Officials. It seemed like it was only a matter of time before Gainsborough snatched an equaliser but it never came. Steve Waywell had introduced three subs to stem the tide and right on full time, Seddon found space to score a screamer into the top of the net past a stunned Sollitt. Hyde were now home and dry and seconds later Steve Brackenridge and Seddon combined well on the right to allow Johnson the simple task of slotting the ball home to give the scoreline a flattering look.

Lets hope the luck the Tigers had here is the impetus they needed to kick start their season.

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Caldecott, Wharton, Flynn, Davis, Prince, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Eyres. Subs – Hill, Harrison, Lynch, Brackenridge, Carnell.

Gainsborough – Sollitt, Purkiss, wood, Ellis, Pell, Lancaster, Trout, Hanson, Graves, Mallon, Lill.Subs – Parker, Caudwell, Snodin, Thorpe, Barlow

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

12-09-06  CAMMELL LAIRD 3  HYDE UNITED 2 a.e.t. CSC att.110

The Tigers went out of the Cheshire Senior Cup on Tuesday at Cammell Laird losing in extra-time to the Unibond First Division leaders. Steve Waywell had made five changes to the team which had registered its first league win of the season on Saturday, but the players on the pitch should still have been good enough to win the game.

Hyde took the lead a minute before half-time when Lincoln Adams headed past former Tiger, Peter Crooks, from a cross by Steve Smith. The Tigers joy was short-lived as seconds later Cammell equalised through a good goal by leading scorer Jamie McGuire. 

There were some close shaves but no goals in the second half and the match went into extra-time and suddenly there were a flurry of goals. Another former Tiger, Anthony Hargreaves picked up a long punt downfield to put Cammell in front and then minutes later, Gerry Harrison handled in the area,  and the Tigers were suddenly two down. Undeterred, Hyde stormed upfield and immediately pulled a goal back through Dale Johnson.

In the second period despite Hyde’s efforts for an equaliser, Cammell Laird held out to progress into the next round and leave Steve Waywell plenty to ponder as to how to get some consistency from his talented squad.

Hyde United – Carnell, Adams, Lynch, Wharton, Hill, Davis, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Smith. Subs – Prince, Eyres, Brackenridge, Rick, Gregson.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



16-09-06 WORKINGTON 3  HYDE UNITED 1 LGE att.519

Hyde made the long trip to Cumbria on Saturday and for the first half looked like they were still admiring the scenery with a most inept performance that gifted the home side two goals and but for the efforts of Mike Flynn and Craig Dootson could have been considerably more.

The Tigers were a goal down after only three minutes as Craig Johnston fired home and went two down on twenty three minutes when Anthony Wright slotted home following a superb save from the unlucky Dootson.

Mike Flynn suffered a bad cut on his eyelid and battled on manfully to become ‘man of the match’. It was a shame others did not show his commitment to the cause. Firstly he had to change his shirt because of the blood and then he had to be regularly ‘cleaned up’ despite a bandaged head. He needed five stitches when he attended the local hospital after the game.

Steve Waywell showed his frustration at the interval by withdrawing Earl Davis and Gerry Harrison and introducing David German, back from injury and Steve Brackenridge. The changes had an immediate effect as Hyde stormed back from the start and David Eyres pulled a goal back on 52 minutes when a long throw from Flynn was headed on to the far post and he was on hand to shoot home. It was now all Hyde and Dale Johnson had the ball in the net five minutes later, but he was adjudged to have fouled the ‘keeper. It was a harsh decision.

This was certainly becoming a ‘game of two halves’ as Hyde continued to put the Workington defence under severe pressure. Eyres struck the bar with a free kick, and from the resultant corner, Lincoln Adams headed against the post. The ball just wouldn’t go in the net and with seconds remaining, the home side broke clear and substitute Wayne Gordon scored a stunning goal.

There was still time for Flynn to head narrowly over, but the Tigers had left themselves with a mountain to climb on this sunny afternoon in the Lake District after such a woeful first half performance.

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Lynch, Wharton, Flynn, Davis, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Eyres. Subs – German, Brackenridge, Hill, Caldecott, Smith.

Workington – Collin, Gray, Inglis, May, Cowan, Henney, Anthony, Hopper, Johnston, Goulding, Wright. Subs – Douglas, Nicholson, Gordon, Summergill

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



18-09-06  HYDE UNITED 4  MOOR GREEN 1 LGE att.334

A superb Dale Johnson hat-trick and an absolute screamer from Steve Brackenridge helped Hyde to an emphatic victory against Moor Green on Monday. After the disappointment of two consecutive away defeats, the Tigers bounced back in style and could have had more goals but for the heroics of Daniel Lewis in the visitors goal in a thoroughly entertaining game.

Steve Waywell made three changes from the team that started at Workington and added youngsters Lee Rick and Kaan Selcuk to the bench as he searched for the right formula in this inconsistent season so far and must have been pleased to see his team take the initiative from the start.

Moor Green arrived late at Ewen Fields after being delayed on the M6 and were caught cold after just three minutes when Johnson nipped in to score his first after good work by Gareth Seddon. Brackenridge made it two from twenty five yards on 26 minutes and Hyde should have had more as Seddon was twice foiled by the ‘keepers legs. The visitors did not know what had hit them but slowly clawed their way back into the game.

They pulled a goal back on 54 minutes through Lee Ayres whilst the Hyde defence stood watching to stop the Tigers in their tracks, but normal service was resumed nine minutes later when the irrepressible Seddon set up the simplest of chances for Johnson to notch his second. Dale completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes when he hammered past Lewis as Hyde, at last, began to show the form of which they are capable. It had been a long time coming.

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Caldecott, Wharton, Flynn, German, Brackenridge, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Eyres. Subs – Hill, Smith, Harrison, Rick, Selcuk.

Moor Green – Lewis, Scott, Follett, Ayres, Penny, Fleming, Morrison, Bridgwater, Davidson, Faulds, Trainer. Subs – Middleton, Midworth, English, Sanders, Collins

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



23-09-06  HYDE UNITED 0  REDDITCH UTD 2 LGE att.342

The Jekyll and Hyde form which has dogged the Tigers all season raised its head again on Saturday. After an impressive first half when the Tigers could easily have been three goals up, they didn’t perform in the second and ultimately went down to two late goals.

In the first period, Nathan Wharton had a shot cleared off the line, whilst David Eyres had two goalbound efforts blocked. Gareth Seddon had two good chances, but Hyde insisted on going for the spectacular finish rather than just getting the ball in the net.

The second half was a different story as Jermaine Clarke missed an easy chance for the visitors on 55 minutes. This should have been a wake-up call for Hyde, but it had the opposite effect as the Visitors began to take control and it was no surprise when Carl Palmer hammered past Craig Dootson, who had been a virtual spectator most of the game.

Steve Waywell immediately introduced two substitutes but it was too little too late as Redditch pushed forward. Dootson made a great save to thwart Damion Whitcombe and then the exotically named substitute Francino Francis hit a post. He was not to be outdone as seconds later he went straight through the middle of the Hyde defence to easily score.

Hyde must bounce back quickly and get some consistency, otherwise it is going to be a long hard season. A good FA Cup run could help and the campaign starts this Saturday.

Hyde United – Dootson, Hill, Caldecott, Wharton, Flynn, German, Brackenridge, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Eyres. Subs – Smith, Harrison, Armstrong, Lynch, Rick.

Redditch United – Anstiss, Robinson, Charlton, Petty, Rea, Murphy, Whitcombe, Alsop, Clarke, Walker, Palmer. Subs – Francis, Cotterill, Softley, Hollis, Willetts

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



30-09-06  HYDE UNITED 0  NEWCASTLE BENFIELD (BP) 2 FAC att.268

This was an absolute horror show from the Tigers as they went down to a well- organised Newcastle Benfield team without any semblance of any fight or plan. The game can be summed up by the fact that Andrew Grainger, in the Newcastle goal, did not have one serious save to make. The visitors arrived at Ewen Fields an unknown force, but as soon as the game got underway the Northern league side showed they meant business.

The die was cast as early as the first minute as the visitor’s Richard Brodie burst through and almost scored. From the resultant corner, Paul Hutchinson’s header was cleared off the line. The visitors wasted no time and took the lead on 26 minutes when their impressive captain, Alusene Bangura hit home a free-kick which squirmed under Craig Dootson.

The Tigers then had plenty of pressure and forced a succession of corners, but they looked suspect on the break and right on half-time Mark Atkinson burst down the left and squared the ball superbly for Mark Rasmussen to score easily at the far post. Game, set and match and there was no way back for the Tigers.

In the second period, Newcastle were comfortable and with more precision in front of goal could have had another couple of goals. Hyde huffed and puffed, but never looked like breaking down the disciplined Benfield defence as the game petered out to leave Steve Waywell and his management team plenty to think about as the Tigers again let the home fans down.

Hyde United – Dootson, Adams, Caldecott, German, Flynn, Wharton, Brackenridge, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Eyres. Subs – Smith, Harrison, Armstrong, Lynch, Carnell.

Newcastle Benfield (BP) – Grainger, Baston, Lowrie, Bangura, Hutchinson, Lumsden, Rasmussen, Bell, Brodie, Graham, Atkinson. Subs – Dixon, Ward, Hay, Fuller, Walton.

 REPORT BY TONY BEARD