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

09-12-06  HYDE UNITED 1   SCARBOROUGH 1  LGE att.388

This was certainly the proverbial game of two halves. Hyde didn’t show up for the first and then completely dominated the second. A draw was a fair result on a chilly afternoon at Ewen Fields.

Scarborough arrived in Hyde £1.6m in debt, unable to sign players due to an FA embargo and an uncertain future, and only had three subs, one of whom was the manager! However they certainly didn’t show any problems on the pitch as they completely dominated the first half. Praise to for the referee, Mr Denton, who allowed the game to flow and didn’t produce the usual flurry of cards at any sign of a tackle.

First, Chris Thompson fired wide from a good position and then Jean Paul Ndjebayi, standing in for the injured Craig Dootson, produced an outstanding save to thwart the same player. The Tigers continued to live dangerously and it was no surprise when Ged Dalton poked the ball home on 27 minutes after more uncertainty in the Hyde defence. With Hyde still all at sea, Thompson hit a post as the visitors continued to dominate.

The second half was a totally different affair as Hyde dominated for much of the time. David Flitcroft’s superbly flighted cross allowed Paul Gedman to head home at the near post on 55 minutes and ten minutes later the two combined again but this time Gedman’s header came back off the angle.

Hyde continued to push forward with Nicky Clee, in for the suspended Gareth Seddon, looking like a potential match winner. His runs down the left caused all sorts of problems for the Scarborough defence in the second half and after one fantastic run, Dale Johnson was caught offside as a goal looked likely. Mark Wilberforce in the visitors goal produced a string of fine saves as the Tigers pushed forward looking for the winner, but the home fans were relieved in the last minute to see Ryan Blott’s thunderbolt clear the bar by inches with Ndjebayi beaten .

Hyde – Ndjebayi, Howarth, Lynch, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Flitcroft, Pickford, Johnson, Clee, Gedman. Subs – Harrison, Brackenridge, Caldecott, Tolson, German.

Scarborough – Wilberforce, Lyth, Davies, beadle, Hotte, Ingram, Dalton, Vermiglio, Hackworth, Thompson, Thornton. Subs – Blott, Amos, Patterson.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

16-12-06  HALIFAX TOWN 3 HYDE UNITED 1  FAT att. 1180

Hyde were unlucky to go out of the FA Trophy at Halifax on Saturday after an impressive performance against the Conference high-flyers. Halifax reached the Conference play-offs last season and look on track for going close again, but the Tigers were not overawed in the surreal atmosphere of a partly built stadium.

The Tigers had great support with more than 200 fans making the short journey across the Pennines, helped by their Sponsors offer of free transport. There was plenty to cheer about, but Hyde were punished for a couple of mistakes and were not helped by a pedantic and inconsistent referee. He had a dreadful game finishing with seven bookings in a game without a serious tackle and he almost had a sending off as he showed Paul Howarth a yellow and then a red, until he realised that Howarth wasn’t actually in his notebook. To his credit he reversed the decision, but his impression of Graham Poll was not appreciated.

In the early stages, Hyde took the game to the home side and Nathan Wharton was only inches wide after six minutes, but the visitors were made to pay after quarter of an hour when Chris Senior scored an opportunist goal after a twice taken free kick. Hyde held their own for the rest of half against the speedy Halifax midfield.

Within two minutes of the break, Hyde were level as the impressive Wharton hooked the ball home. They should have had another as chances went begging but were cruelly brought down to earth on 65 minutes as Earl Davis was harshly penalised for a foul, when it looked like he has just used his body strength wide on the left. The ball was swung over into the Tiger’s six yard box and Rob Atkinson got a touch before the ball rebounded in off the luckless Steve Flitcroft.

There was still time for Hyde to create more chances and Davis had a header off the ‘keepers legs whilst substitute Dale Johnson was inches wide just minutes after coming on. With just two minutes remaining, Halifax broke clear looking suspiciously offside and when the ball was passed inside to Shane Smeltz he, too, looked offside as he was ahead of the play. He slotted the ball home and Hyde were deflated.

With seconds remaining, Davis was cautioned for ‘persistent fouling’ which summed up the referee’s performance as seconds later he brought proceedings to an end. Hyde were out but certainly not disgraced in this entertaining encounter.

Hyde – Ndjebayi, German, Howarth, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Flitcroft, Pickford, Clee, Seddon, Gedman. Subs – Johnson, Harrison, Brackenridge, Lynch, Rick.

Halifax Town – Mawson, Doughty, Quinn, Kearney, Forrest, Smeltz, Killeen, Toulson, Senior, Thompson, Atkinson Subs – Sugden, Roberts, Jacobs, Gray, Butler.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



26-12-06  HYDE UNITED 3  STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1 LGE att.911

This was a thrilling encounter with Hyde fully deserving the points in a pulsating game. However that is only half the story because as derbies go this was certainly on the tame side, so how the referee can finish with 9 bookings, two of which resulted in red cards remains a mystery. In addition, Stalybridge Manager, John Reed was banished from the touchline for a half-time altercation and now faces an FA Charge.

For the first half hour, nothing went right for Celtic. After just fourteen minutes, former Tiger, Steve Smith collapsed with a serious leg injury and was taken to hospital. Mark Hume was then booked for delaying a throw in before Hyde took the lead on 27 minutes. Dave Flitcroft lobbed forward for Earl Davis to show excellent silky skills in setting up Gareth Seddon to score. Just three minutes later, Hume held back Steve Pickford as he tried to burst through and was half way to the dressing room before the referee produced a second yellow. Paul Pettinger was booked for protesting, although the decision looked correct. Seddon, Pickford and Davis were then booked in quick succession as Celtic produced their best football of the game and it was no surprise when Lee Ellington equalised on 38 minutes with an opportunist goal.

Hyde started the second half the stronger and on 52 minutes Pickford went clear, but his first shot came back off Pettinger’s knees, as did his second attempt , but it proved third time lucky as his next try found Seddon, who headed into an empty net. It was now all Hyde with Dale Johnson marginally wide and then having a goal disallowed in the space of two minutes.

Celtic fought back strongly and Hyde’s defence had to be at its best, but there was still time for Davis to head inches wide. Flitcroft was then booked for what looked like a good tackle and the result was still in the balance with two minutes  left as Seddon broke clear. He appeared to be clipped in the area, but the referee thought otherwise and produced a second yellow for a dive. A very controversial decision and a sad end after Seddon had played so superbly throughout.

With just a minute remaining, Michael Taylor found himself on the left and his cross was gleefully side-footed home by Nathan Wharton for his first home goal of the season to end a scintillating game which had been been played in a great spirit with credit to both sides. It is a shame referees feel they have to impress the Assessor on technicalities rather than actually refereeing the game to the benefit of fans and players alike.

Hyde –Dootson, German, Howarth, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Flitcroft, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Clee . Subs – Lynch, Harrison, Gedman, Adams, Ndjebayi

Stalybridge Celtic – Pettinger, Black, Maxfield, Keeling, Hume, Winn, Smith (S), Sykes, Ellington, Brodie, Prince. Subs – Smith(B), Krief, Parr, Hanley, Buxton.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

30-12-06  VAUXHALL MOTORS 1  HYDE UNITED  0  LGE att.201

After the excitement and drama of the Stalybridge game, this was a damp squid. Steve Waywell was forced to make three changes, but even so the Tigers should have won at rain-soaked Rivacre Park, but contrived to miss a series of chances. The nearest they came was on 84 minutes when Paul Gedman headed against the crossbar from close range, but there were plenty of other chances which on another day, Hyde would have put away. 

For once the referee was not the centre of attention, although he did miss a bad challenge on Chris Lynch, which eventually forced him to come off. It was while he was struggling that Tom Field, hastily withdrawn in the fixture at Hyde, snatched the only goal when put through down the right on 57 minutes. Otherwise Craig Dootson did not have a save to make as Hyde’s defence looked strong despite missing the suspended Earl Davis.

There was little atmosphere from the spartan crowd and matters were made worse as the main stand was cordoned off as ‘unsafe’, so it was standing room only. Hyde started as dreadful as the weather, but eventually found their form as Gedman was inches wide on 19 minutes following a Nicky Clee free kick. Clee was again involved later, twice going close himself and then setting up Gareth Seddon who forced a fine save from Sean Lake.

In the second period Clee was again involved in most Hyde attacks, but he could not find the finishing touch and despite plenty of pressure, the Tigers just could not snatch the all important goal they deserved. Dale Johnson was introduced with 20 minutes to go, but despite some forceful runs, he, too, could not find the all-important breakthrough. A game to instantly forget.

Hyde –Dootson, German, Lynch, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Flitcroft, Pickford, Gedman, Seddon, Clee .Subs – Johnson, Brackenridge, Rick, Ndjebayi

Vauxhall Motors – Lake, Moogan, Dames, McMahon, McNulty, Griffiths, Garrity, Furlong, Rooney, Field, Lawless. Subs – Addo, O’Donnell, Whittaker, Macauley, Dittmer.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

01-01-07  STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 3  HYDE UNITED  7  LGE att.756

The scoreline says it all and probably Hyde should have had more. This was an absolutely fantastic game which had everything and for Hyde fans, bragging rights for some considerable time to come. For the neutral there was some scintillating football, especially from Hyde in the first half and for the ‘Bridge fans a third consecutive defeat with 12 goals conceded, just after John Reid had said they were title contenders in the Local Press. Oh for hindsight! Gareth Seddon chipped in with five goals and looked like he would score every time he attacked the ‘Bridge back four, but it was not just the Seddon show as Hyde surpassed Stalybridge in all departments.

Playing downhill on the sodden pitch, the Tigers started strongly and Dale Johnson was just inches wide after 5 minutes before Nathan Wharton put Seddon through to score his first. He was just wide three minutes later before David Flitcroft and Nicky Clee (both superb on the day) combined to allow Seddon to grab his second. Time then for Craig Dootson to make two brilliant saves before Clee attacked again and was brought down in the box by the unfortunate Kevin Parr, who was substituted minutes later. Seddon made no mistake for the spot and he had notched his hat-trick in just eight minutes.

Two minutes later Johnson scored at the far post and the Tigers were on fire. Clee burst through to be upended on the edge of the box, but the referee waved away Hyde’s appeals. More chances came and went as Hyde completely dominated proceedings up until half-time. ‘Bridge were banished to the pitch early and had to wait fully five minutes for the Tigers to return.

With the slope and wind in their favour, Lee Ellington, who was a class above his team mates scored, scored an opportunist goal within two minutes of the restart and a minute later Mark Hume headed home Mike Flynn’s cross to give Stalybridge a glimmer of hope, but within two minutes, Seddon had grabbed another after Paul Pettinger had failed to hold Clee’s shot. Immediately down the other end for Ellington to nip in and grab another. Four goals in six minutes and time for a breather! At 3-5, the home side were still in the game, but it was the Tigers who looked more likely to score as they ran the Stalybridge defence ragged and contrived to miss chance after chance.

Paul Gedman came on for Johnson with four minutes left and scored with his first touch and then Seddon bagged his fifth right on full time. A brilliant day and what a way to start the brand New Year!

Hyde –Dootson, German, Lynch, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Flitcroft, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Clee .Subs – Harrison, Gedman, Adams, Brackenridge, Rick

Stalybridge Celtic – Pettinger, Black, Maxfield, Sykes, Flynn, Winn, Brodie, Krief, Ellington, Hume, Parr Subs – Smith(B), Prince, Kay, Hanley, Buxton.

06-01-07  GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 2  HYDE UNITED  3  LGE att.381

The Tigers made heavy weather of beating 10 man Gainsborough on Saturday and were indebted to a rare Nathan Wharton header nine minutes from time to clinch the points. Craig Dootson was missing with ‘flu, whilst David Flitcroft had joined Rochdale as Assistant Manager as Steve Waywell had to juggle his squad before the kick-off.

On a dismal wet afternoon in Lincolnshire both sides struggled in the early stages to get to grips with the difficult pitch, although Chris Lynch, under the weather himself, cleared off the line after just four minutes. Dale Johnson then went close before Steve Pickford was put clear. He was brought down by Eric Graves, but it needed the Assistant referee’s intervention for the referee to award the free kick and send off Graves as the last defender. Gareth Seddon then had a screamer brilliantly turned onto the bar by debutant ‘keeper, Andrew Bagnall before he headed home Wharton’s cross on thirty five minutes to put the Tigers in front.

Two minutes later Nicky Ellis rattled the bar for Gainsborough as the game flowed from end to end. The referee was again the centre of attention five minutes after the restart. When he stopped play following a corner, he appeared to give a goal kick but stunned everybody in the ground by awarding a penalty for an alleged shirt pull. Earl Davis was booked so he was presumably the ‘culprit’ and Simon Bird stroked home the penalty.

However Hyde were back in front five minutes later after a great piece of skill from Seddon set up Johnson who headed goalwards. The ‘keeper got his hands to the ball before it trickled over the line, but the Tigers joy was short-lived as Bird rose to head past Jean Paul Ndjebayi six minutes later.

Gainsborough would not lie down and as the pitch became heavier, it was survival of the fittest. Hyde’s superior fitness and man advantage began to tell and with just nine minutes to go, Nicky Clee’s shot was parried out to Wharton who made no mistake as headed home from fifteen yards. It was nothing less than he deserved after the captain’s inspirational performance and his third goal in five games after a barren spell.

Hyde should have won easier, but the conditions were heavy and energy sapping for the second time in the week and they have scored ten goals in the process, so it is hard to have anything but admiration as they continue to improve.

Hyde – Ndjebayi, Howarth, Lynch, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Clee . Subs –  Gedman, Adams, Brackenridge, Rick, German

Gainsborough – Bagnall, Wood, Caudwell, Ellis, Pell, Parker, Trout, Needham, Bird, Hannah, Graves. Subs – Austin, Purkiss, Frost, Smith, Charles.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



13-01-07  HYDE UNITED 1 WORKINGTON 1  LGE att.362

For the second year running, Hyde conceded an injury time goal to give Workington a share of the spoils. On the balance of play, the visitors probably deserved an equaliser, but nevertheless it was heart-breaking for the Tigers to give a goal away so late .

So there was no winner apart from the weather. The strong gusty wind made good football difficult and in the process had dried out the pitch to leave the surface firm on top. Not a good recipe for flowing football and so it proved.

Hyde were without Gareth Seddon and Paul Gedman, so Matty Landregan made his first start up front. Lincoln Adams replaced Earl Davis at the back as he had a reaction to a knee injury sustained the previous week. So it was a weakened Tigers team which took on Workington who themselves had been going through a lean patch.

The visitors started the stronger with the wind at their backs and Craig Dootson was forced into a brilliant save in only the first minute as the impressive Dean Douglas shot goalwards. Douglas gave Hyde trouble all afternoon and was again close minutes later. The Tigers slowly clawed their way back into the game and took the lead on 38 minutes when Dale Johnson crossed for Steve Pickford to squeeze the ball home at the near post.

Nicky Clee almost made it two right on half time but Adam Collin made a great save. The second half was a pretty drab affair with Hyde looking like they would hold out. Neil Tolson was introduced for the last five minutes to replace the tiring Landregan, who had a fine debut. As the game entered the second minute of injury time, Douglas found some space on the left and broke clear. He squared to Tony Nicholson, who made no mistake and Hyde had been punished for switching off when all the hard work had been done.

Hyde – Dootson, German, Howarth, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Landregan, Clee . Subs – Lynch, Brackenridge, Rick, Tolson, Ndjebayi

Workington – Collin, Hopper, Wright, May, Green, Henney, Hewson, Birks, Johnston, Nicholson, Douglas. Subs – Edmondson, Gulley, Carmichael, Gordon, Summersgill.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

16-01-07  ABBEY HEY 0  HYDE UNITED 3 MPC att.71

Despite fielding a team primarily made up of fringe players and reserves, Hyde proved too good for Abbey Hey on Tuesday and finished worthy 3-0 winners. Two goals from Neil Tolson and another from Gareth Seddon sealed this tie in the first period.

On the heavy pitch, the Tigers were never in trouble once Tolson had put them in front with a great goal on 24 minutes. He added another 14 minutes later and when Seddon, back from suspension, notched the third three minutes before the break, the game was over as a contest.

In the second half, Steve Waywell brought on reserve players Matty Landregan, Rob Monaghan and Tom Gregson to give them a taste of first team action as Hyde cruised to victory and earn a home semi-final tie against Droylsden in mid February

Hyde United – Ndjebayi, Lynch, Rowbottom, Glennon, Adams, Harrison, Brackenridge, Rick, Tolson, Seddon, Williams. Subs – Kerr, Landregan, Monaghan, Gregson, Selcuk.

Abbey Hey – Molloy, Doyle, Bunting, M. Lester, Heaton, S.Lester, Almond, Kerney, Onibudo, Greenhalgh, Garmory. Subs – Thomas, Rourke, Ford.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

20-01-07  HYDE UNITED 5 BLYTH SPARTANS 1  LGE att.413

The Tigers welcomed back leading scorer Gareth Seddon from suspension and the fans did not have to wait long as he fired Hyde in front after just nine minutes and then added another with a sweet finish after seventy five minutes as Hyde ran Blyth ragged in the second half..

On a sunny but very blustery day at Ewen Fields the game got off to a dramatic start as Liam Gildea was booked after just five minutes for a two footed challenge on Steve pickford. On another day it could have been a straight red, but he did not take advantage of his good fortune as he then went in very late on Nicky Clee and received a second yellow after 33 minutes.

After Seddon has put Hyde in front, the visitors responded immediately with Matthew Moffat clipping the post before Robert Dale found himself in acres of space on the left before scoring with a shot across Craig Dootson on 31 minutes, but their joy was short-lived as they were down to 10 men two minutes later.

Hyde restored their lead on 42 minutes after great play between Dale Johnson and Clee allowed Clee to hammer the ball high into the net.

Blyth showed their customary spirit at the start of the second half and went out for an equaliser but after a combination of Dootson and Lincoln Adams had scrambled the ball off the line, it was all Hyde. Johnson, who had been a threat to the Blyth defence all afternoon burst clear on 62 minutes and scored with a clinical finish. The Tigers were now mauling Blyth as Seddon grabbed his second.

Lee Rick replaced Gerry Harrison and Paul Gedman replaced Johnson and with his first touch hit the post before having a goal disallowed at the death for offside. In between a neat interchange between Dave German and Rick allowed the seventeen year old to grab his first senior goal for the Tigers after impressing in the reserves.

In this sort of form it is hard to discount Hyde as serious play-off contenders as Blyth are generally tough to break down as they proved at Droylsden last week, but on this occasion they had no answer to Hyde’s all-round superiority and lightning forward play and the result could have been more emphatic by the end.

Hyde – Dootson, German, Lynch, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Clee . Subs – Gedman, Rick, Brackenridge, Landregan, Ndjebayi.

Blyth Spartans – Bartlett, Hedley, Williams, Leeson, Snowdon, Forster, Graham, Lowther, Dale, Gildea, Moffat. Subs – Peacock, Fenton, Christensen, Hanlon.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

22-01-07  HYDE UNITED 5 LANCASTER CITY 0  LGE att.304

The Tigers hammered five goals for the second successive game to take their total to a massive 24 this week so far as they easily beat troubled Lancaster City at snowy Ewen Fields on Monday. It could, and probably should, have been more but the young Lancaster side put a spirited performance and tried to play good football whenever they could. Hyde moved up to the dizzy heights of third with the victory. Thanks must also go to the ground staff who had worked tirelessly throughout the day clearing as much snow from the freak storm as they could to ensure the match went ahead.

Hyde started strongly and took the lead after just four minutes when Nicky Clee hammered the ball into the roof of the net. A minute later he set up man of the match Steve Pickford, but James Brindle saved well. Gareth Seddon tried to get in on the act but he was frequently thwarted by the battling Lancaster Defence. He did hit the post with a glancing header before he broke clear on twenty five minutes to be unceremoniously fouled as he rounded Brindle. Referee Hughes amazingly produced just a yellow card and Pickford was booked for pointing out his obvious error. Justice was partially done as Nathan Wharton, again an inspirational skipper, curled the ball into the top corner. It was now all Hyde as Dale Johnson hit the bar on the half-hour mark.

Johnson did score three minutes after half time before Gareth Seddon touched in Lincoln Adam’s effort with twenty minutes to go. Adams himself got in on the action five minutes later as he headed home a Wharton free-kick. As Hyde pressed forward they could have had more but Brindle produced a good performance in the Lancaster goal to keep the score to respectable levels.

Although the fans would have liked more, you can’t complain at ten goals in three days and 24 in the last 6 games!

Hyde – Dootson, German, Lynch, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Clee . Subs – Gedman, Rick, Brackenridge, Landregan, Ndjebayi.

Lancaster City – Brindle, Rigby, Marshall, Henry, Cudworth, Uberschar, Mulholland, Helliwell, Gierke, Love, Williams. Subs – Gailey, Cunnerton, Durnan, Havey, Roberts.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

27-01-07  REDDITCH UTD 2  HYDE UNITED 1  LGE att.440

After finding goals so easy for most of January, the Tigers came unstuck at bogey team, Redditch United on Saturday and paid the ultimate penalty for a series of missed chances.

On a heavy tacky pitch goals would always be at a premium but lowly Redditch managed to find two from their substitutes in the second half, whilst the Tigers could only summon a late consolation from Gareth Seddon as they were frequently thwarted by Richard Anstiss.

The Tigers were without Craig Dootson and Earl Davis, but gave a debut to on loan signing, Damien Quigley from Bury, who quickly adjusted to the faster pace of Conference North. Hyde started brightly and had a chance after only ten minutes, but the ball was scrambled off the line. For most of the half, the home side bombarded Hyde with a succession of high balls but Michael Taylor and Lincoln Adams dealt with them well. As the half closed, Seddon broke clear only for Anstiss to make the first of a number of excellent saves.

Within three minutes of the restart, Anstiss made another brilliant save from Seddon

And then five minutes later Dale Johnson chipped against the bar. The game changed on the hour mark when Redditch introduced Exodus Geohaghon at the back and Scott Rickards up front. Redditch picked up the pace and with twenty minutes remaining took the lead with a stunning strike form Rickards.

The Tigers were still in the hunt but five minutes after coming on Dave Walker found himself in acres of space with the Hyde defence still upfield. He broke clear, easily rounded Jean Paul Ndjebayi and added a second with ten minutes remaining.

Still time for Hyde to have a legitimate penalty claim turned down as Johnson was clearly held in the box and despite a late goal from Seddon, it was not Hyde’s day, who were left to rue the chances that had gone begging.

Hyde – Ndjebayi, German, Quigley, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Gedman, Brackenridge, Lynch, Howarth, Tolson. 

Redditch United – Anstiss, Petty, Whitcombe, Walker, Rae, Deakin, Alsop, Clarke, Adams, Hollis, Palmer. Subs – Rickards, Geohaghon, Walker, Cotterill, Francis.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

03-02-07  HYDE UNITED 1  HUCKNALL TOWN 0  LGE att.402

The Tigers ascended to third in the league thanks to a Steve Pickford strike after just twenty seconds in an instantly forgettable game at Ewen Fields. With both teams having scored and conceded a total of over 200 goals this season, a goal feast looked on the cards, but it never materialised as the game failed to ignite.

On a gloriously sunny afternoon, despite fog close by, Hucknall kicked off and were immediately disposed by Steve Pickford. He fed Dale Johnson down the right and was then on hand to side foot home Johnson’s pinpoint cross. Hyde could not have wished for a better start in the first minute, but never capitalised as Hucknall fought back strongly and had most of the play in the game.

Gareth Seddon, for once off form, could have made in two midway through the first half and then had another chance late on as did substitute Paul Gedman but for the most part Hyde were defending a series of long balls aimed at the visitors forwards. Seddon did have the ball in the net at the end, but was ruled offside.

Lincoln Adams rightly was awarded the man of the match award for an awesome performance and he was well supported by his fellow defenders. Craig Dootson, despite the pressure, had few saves to make but he coped well when he had to. Upfront the Tigers never fired despite the probing runs of Seddon and Johnson.

It was certainly far from Hyde’s best performance of the season, but it is the three points which count now and the Tigers had done enough to move one place up the League.

Hyde – Dootson, German, Quigley, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford, Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Gedman, Brackenridge, Lynch, Howarth, Tolson.

Hucknall Town – Smith, Cooke, Cowan, Legg, Reeves, Vaughan, Wilson, Dempsey, Ricketts, Hearn, Olanipekun. Subs – Fox, Ackers, Burns, Gallimore, Powell.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD