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
12-02-07 HYDE UNITED 3 DROYLSDEN 4 MPCsf att.298
Droylsden progressed to the final of the
Manchester Premier Cup after a thrilling Tameside Derby at
Ewen Fields. It was a shame however that there were only 298
fans there to see two of the form teams in Conference North.
Both sides fielded their strongest
available after Saturday’s postponements, but Droylsden were
without three players suspended and Hyde were without Steve
Pickford
There were chances galore from the start
with both defences hesitant, but it was the clinical finishing
of the Bloods, especially hat-trick hero, Steve Daly which
eventually won the day. The Tigers were left to rue a series
of missed opportunities, but had to admire the goalkeeping of
Paul Phillips who made a succession of excellent saves.
Hyde started well, after Terry Fearns had
gone close in the first minute for the Bloods, and took the
lead on five minutes when Gerry Harrison set up leading
scorer, Gareth Seddon to score.
Five minutes later, Nicky Clee was inches wide and then after
a tremendous run had the ball taken off his toe by Seddon who
found the net, only to be ruled offside. Phillips produced a
brilliant save to tip over from David German and then produced
another good save to thwart Dale Johnson.
On 22 minutes recent signing, Blake
Norton equalised for Droylsden with a wicked
deflection. And it was all change a minute later as Daly
grabbed his first after ponderous defending by the Tigers.
In the second period, Droylsden extended
their lead on 54 minutes when Fearns set up Daly,
whose header bounced in at the far post. Seddon went close for
Hyde, before Phillips made a couple of superb saves as Hyde
continued to create chances. Substitute Paul
Gedman pulled a goal back before more defensive lapses
allowed Daly to complete his
hat-trick.
There was still time for Seddon to hit a
post, before Gedman grabbed his
second with four minutes remaining. Droylsden held on, despite
an additional four minutes added time and Hyde’s two year
hold on the Premier Cup was over.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Quigley, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Howarth,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Gedman, Rick, Lynch,
Brackenridge, Davis.
Droylsden – Phillips, Vaughan, Warner, Halford, Burke, Morris, Norton, Lynch, Fearns, Daly, Williams, Subs – Robinson, Jagielka, Tandy, Rapley, Ruffer,.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
16-02-07 HYDE UNITED 2 LEIGH RMI 0 LGE att.334
After the excitement of the previous
Monday’s game, this was a pretty turgid affair against a
Leigh side who showed no ambition from the start. Nevertheless
two second half goals secured the points and at this time of
the season, that is what counts.
The first half was instantly forgettable
although Dale Johnson did go close early on. For most of the
rest of the half, Leigh took the sting out of the game
whenever they could causing the referee to add three minutes
added time at the interval.
The second half improved slightly after a
long crossfield ball caught out the Leigh defence and allowed Nicky
Clee to rifle home on 51 minutes. The Tigers never
looked in any real danger, although Craig Dootson made one
brilliant save.
Hyde secured the points on 81 minutes
after good work by Johnson left Gareth
Seddon the simplest task of back heeling home from
inside the six yard box. Seddon could have added another three
minutes later, but was thwarted by John Lamb, although to be
fair he looked yards offside.
Hyde will have tougher games with
Harrogate and Kettering the next two teams to visit Ewen
Fields, so the Tigers Play-off credentials will certainly be
tested over the coming weeks. They weren’t really in this
game against relegation threatened Leigh, who have
historically proved to be a bogey side for the Tigers.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Quigley, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Gedman,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Warner, Rick, Lynch, Howarth,
Tolson.
Leigh RMI – Lamb, Unsworth, Brockley, Briscoe, Dunne, Maddox, Settle, Roscoe, Jackson, Rapley, Roberts. Subs – Simm, Owen, Coyne, Girdlestone, Filipeck.
REPORT BY TONY BEARD
24-02-07 SCARBOROUGH 1 HYDE UNITED 2 LGE att.748
An injury time goal from Gareth Seddon
secured the points for the Tigers in a hard fought encounter
at the McCain stadium. It was Seddon’s second goal after he
had converted a 54th minute penalty to bring the
visitors level.
Hyde were without midfield kingpins Steve
Pickford and Nathan Wharton, but Gerry Harrison and Scott
Warner proved able deputies on the very heavy pitch. At the
back, Michael Taylor and Lincoln Adams were both superb,
whilst Damien Quigley had a tremendous second half.
The Tigers started well with Dale Johnson
and Paul Gedman both going close in the early on, before the
home side clawed their way back to hit the bar on 16 minutes.
Disaster struck on twenty two minutes when Craig Dootson made
a hash of a back pass. The ball ran free to Ged Dalton who set
up Lee Cartwright to score an
open goal. This gave Scarborough the impetus they had lacked
in the early stages and Hyde failed to regain their rhythm for
the rest of the half.
The second half was a different affair
and Hyde equalised on 64 minutes when Gedman was brought down
as he turned. Initially the referee waved play on, but his
assistant intervened and a penalty was rightly awarded. Seddon
made no mistake from the spot, but was subsequently booked for
his celebration.
The Tigers were now in the ascendancy but
a draw still looked the likely result. However two minutes
into injury time, Dootson released Nicky Clee. After a
storming run, he exchanged passes with Seddon before
unleashing a shot across the face of the goal. Mark
Wilberforce could only parry and that man Seddon
was on hand to scramble the ball home. Substitute Ryan Blott
made a valiant attempt to keep it out, but only managed to
help the ball into the net.
Seven wins and only one defeat since the
turn of the year and the Tigers are certainly roaring. Their
hope is that the fans respond with a good turn out on Saturday
for the game with Championship contenders and pre-season
favourites, Harrogate Town.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Quigley, Adams, Taylor, Warner, Harrison, Gedman,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee.Subs – Lynch, Howarth, Davis,
Caldecott, Ndjebayi.
Scarborough – Wilberforce, Lyth, Davis, Cartwright, Hotte, Ingram, Dalton, Vermiglio, Hackworth, Beadle, Thornton. Subs – Perry, Blott, Amos, Patterson.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
03-03-07 HYDE UNITED 4 HARROGATE TOWN 0 LGE att.401
The Tigers maintained their challenge for
a play-off spot with a resounding four goal victory over
fellow rivals, and pre season favourites, Harrogate Town. It
completed a superb double for Hyde after their victory at
Wetherby Road back in November. The only disappointing feature
was another desperately low crowd, which is hard to explain
after Hyde’s resurgence since the start of the year which
has resulted in eight victories and only one defeat in ten
games.
The curse of the Manager of the Month
Award was also laid to rest as the Tigers, after a sluggish
start, ultimately cruised to victory against one of the
League’s top sides and announced their arrival as serious
play-off contenders.
Both sides had gone close in a poor
opening, before Dale Johnson flicked the ball on for Gareth
Seddon to outstrip the Harrogate defence before coolly
slotting home. Although the visitors went close when Danny
Holland was inches over, Craig Dootson was a virtual spectator
behind a well organised defence.
In the second period, Hyde turned up the
gas. On fifty two minutes man of the match, Nathan Wharton,
set up Nicky Clee, who scored
majestically with his right foot. Eight minutes later, Seddon
was clearly held in the area, but the referee played advantage
and Hyde’s only reward was a corner. However from
Wharton’s kick, Seddon’s header was cleared off the line
before Gerry Harrison lashed the
ball home. The Tigers were rampant now and Clee
grabbed his second on 72 minutes when Dale Johnson broke down
the right before squaring to Seddon, who in turn set up the
winger with the visitors defence in disarray. Clee crowned a
fine individual performance by signing a new two year deal
with the Tigers.
Hyde could have scored more as Seddon and
Lincoln Adams both had headers cleared off the line as
Harrogate capitulated against the onslaught. With big spending
Kettering the next visitors to Ewen Fields, Hyde will be
hoping for a similar result, but hopefully a lot more fans to
see it.
Hyde – Dootson,
Lynch, Quigley, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Gedman, Davis, Caldecott,
Rick, Tolson.
Harrogate – Lindley, Price, Merris, Ellerker, Timons, Dunning, Bettney, R. Hunter, Jackson, Holland, Philpott. Subs – Mc Garry, Wood, Webster, C.Hunter, Wood.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
10-03-07 WORCESTER CITY 2 HYDE UNITED 2 LGE att.935
The Tigers maintained their challenge for
a play-off spot with a spirited draw in this tough game
against big spending, Worcester City. They were perhaps a
little disappointed not to take all three points, but this was
always going to be a difficult game and both sides had chances
to win it. Paul Gedman could have clinched it at the death,
but with the goal at his mercy, he struck the bar and the ball
went over.
Worcester themselves had plenty to play
for with a play-off position still a possibility despite their
patchy form. On a difficult bumpy pitch, the first half was
pretty ordinary although Nathan Wharton forced a fine save out
of Danny McDonnell, whilst Steve Pickford had a lob headed off
the line.
It was all change in the second period,
as the game really livened up. Within a minute of the restart,
Lincoln Adams found himself
unmarked in the area, controlled the ball well and put Hyde
ahead. Hyde’s joy was short-lived though as Des
Lyttle scored a screamer seven minutes later to bring
the home side level.
After 62 minutes, the Tigers should have
had a penalty as Gareth Seddon’s goalbound effort clearly
struck a defender’s hand. The referee ruled he was
protecting his face, but his hands looked high. Ten minutes
later Dale Johnson and the Seddon were just inches wide as
Hyde piled forward. Not to be outdone, the home side were
still having lots of possession and putting Hyde under
pressure.
On 75 minutes, man of the match, Gerry
Harrison, burst through to be clearly brought down by the
‘Keeper. The referee again played on and Seddon’s
subsequent shot was handled near the line and this time the
referee pointed to the spot. Seddon
made no mistake to put Hyde in front.
The home side fought back strongly
encouraged by the large partisan support. With just a minute
left, there was an almighty scramble in the Tiger’s area,
Worcester hit the bar and Craig Dootson made two amazing saves
before Craig Wilding eventually
scrambled the ball home
There was still time for Worcester to go
close again before Gedman’s last minute miss, but Manager
Steve Waywell said he was happy with the draw and had nothing
but praise for his battling Tigers after this tense encounter.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Lynch, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Gedman, Davis, Caldecott,
Rick, Ndjebayi.
Worcester – Mc Donnell, Ward, Khan, Smith, Thompson, Lyttle, pearce, Cornes, Webster, Wilding, Clegg. Subs – Warmer, Findlay, Walker, Hodnett, Colley.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
20-03-07
NUNEATON BOROUGH 0 HYDE
UNITED 0 LGE att.511
The Tigers maintained their challenge for
a play-off spot with a battling performance for a point at
bitterly cold Manor Park on Tuesday. Overall this was a pretty
dreadful game on a hard bumpy pitch and neither team were
helped by the swirling wind.
The Tigers never really looked like
scoring after Gareth Seddon went off with a deadleg just after
the half hour mark, although Dale Johnson went close at the
death. Overall it was a rearguard action from the visitors
with both Michael Taylor and Lincoln Adams commanding. Behind
them Craig Dootson made three superb saves when called into
action.
Although Nuneaton struck the bar in the
first period after Dootson had made a flying save and struck a
post on sixty minutes a goalless draw always looked the likely
result. Whilst Hyde battled well in midfield, they never
really managed to create a clear opportunity until the final
minute.
A draw was probably a fair result and by
the end, Steve Waywell was relieved that his side had showed
good character in a difficult game in testing conditions.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Quigley, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Gedman, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee.Subs – Davis, Caldecott, Lynch, Rick,
Ndjebayi.
Nuneaton Borough – Acton, Oddy, Franklin, Curtis, Moore, Cowan, Shaw, Pritchard, Darby, Quailey, D.Burgess. Subs – O. Burgess, Denny, Murphy, Williams, Collins.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
25-03-07 HYDE UNITED 3 KETTERING TOWN 5 LGE att.826
Kettering Town produced an awesome
display at Ewen Fields on Sunday as they completely overran
Hyde in a thrilling encounter. To their credit the Tigers
never gave up and with a bit of luck late on could have
narrowed the scoreline further. The visitors were stronger in
all departments and in striker Rene Howe had the man of the
match by some considerable distance.
It all started so well for Hyde when
Nicky Clee released Gareth Seddon
on eight minutes to put the Tigers in front. Their joy was
short-lived however as the impressive Howe
rattled up a hat-trick in just twelve minutes to put the
visitors in command, as he capitalised on a series of
defensive lapses.
In the second period, Kettering continued
to force the pace. Michael Taylor could only help the ball
over his own line for their fourth and then Howe
grabbed his own fourth with a superb goal a minute later.
Receiving the ball with his back to goal, he swivelled and hit
the ball into the top corner. A fantastic finish which could
not have failed to impress the collection of scouts watching
him.
Just a minute later, David German burst forward to hit a screamer into the top corner for his first goal for Hyde and then seven minutes later, Seddon grabbed Hyde’s third.
The Tigers were now in the ascendancy and
Seddon was thwarted by a superb save from Mark Osborn. Hyde
could not capitalise on a series of corners and Kettering
finished worthy winners.
On this sort of form they are certain to
go close to the Championship which must have caused some
concern for the watching Droylsden contingent as they are now
just two points behind.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Quigley, Adams, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Gedman, Davis, Caldecott,
Lynch, Ndjebayi.
Kettering Town – Osborn,
Luke, Perpethini, Theobald, McIlwain, Dempster, Caskey,
Buncaud, Howe, Westcare, Marna. Subs – Solkhon, Hall,
Deprati, Marofo, Bussey.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
31-03-07 MOOR
GREEN 1 HYDE
UNITED 1 LGE att.250
At a very dry and bumpy Solihull on
Saturday, both teams were desperate to take all the points in
their respective quests for a play-off place, but in the end
the spoils were shared. Hyde had enough opportunities to win
and may live to rue a succession of missed chances.
Moor Green had offered free admission for
children and concessions, but despite this, Hyde spectators
formed the majority of the crowd and saw the Tigers get off to
a cracking start with Gareth Seddon, Dale Johnson and Nicky
Clee all going close in the first quarter of an hour with
Daniel Lewis making a series of excellent saves.
The game erupted three minutes before
half-time when David German brought down Daniel Davidson. He
took exception to the tackle by retaliating and was promptly
sent off with German receiving a yellow for the original foul.
Playing against ten men and down the slope, things looked favourable for Hyde and on 53 minutes Seddon struck a post when well placed with Nathan Wharton hitting the rebound against the bar. This seemed to give the home side some encouragement and in a rare attack they took the lead on 66 minutes when Darren Middleton took advantage of some sloppy defending to give them an unlikely lead.
Their joy was short-lived as six minutes
later Seddon scored at the far
post for the Tigers. Hyde pressed forward and forced a number
of corners but just couldn’t find that killer touch in front
of goal to grab a winner. This was certainly a case of two
points lost.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Quigley, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Gedman, Adams, Caldecott,
Lynch, Ndjebayi.
Moor Green – Lewis, Follett, Midworth, Collins, Sanders, English, Morrison, Middleton, Davidson, Bridgwater, Trainer. Subs – Motteray, Faulds, Briscoe, Moore, Penny.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
06-04-07 HYDE UNITED 3 FARSLEY CELTIC 4 LGE att.502
For the second match running at Ewen
Fields, Hyde scored three goals but failed to take any points
as Farsley grabbed the spoils in a cracking game. The Tigers
still have a mathematical chance of the last play-off place,
but it is now looking unlikely. Hero for Farsley was
goalkeeper Paul Cuss who made a string of superb saves to keep
Hyde at bay, whilst the home side will rue a series of
defensive howlers.
In front of a large crowd swelled by
juniors from both teams, the visitors took the lead after just
three minutes when Simeon Bambrook
scrambled home a corner. Hyde replied strongly and Dale
Johnson produced a fine save from Cuss as he burst through on
fifteen minutes. Three minutes later Cuss again thwarted Hyde
as he beat away a shot from Gareth Seddon.
The home side thought they had equalised
on thirty minutes when Gerry Harrison forced the ball home.
Seddon was prostrate near the goal in an offside position when
the ball was adjudged to have touched him on its way to the
net. It was certainly a close call and needed a discussion
between the referee and his assistant before being ruled out.
The second half started sensationally as
Hyde scored twice in the first ten minutes to take the lead. Johnson
nipped in at the near post to grab the first and then he
produced a strong run before squaring to Steve
Pickford who made no mistake. The Tigers thought they
now had the points in the bag, but Farsley came back strongly,
and equalised two minutes later through Andy
Wattson.
The game was now end to end and Cuss
produced a stunning save to prevent Nathan Wharton putting
Hyde in front. Back came the visitors and Damien
Reeves put them in front on 65 minutes. Ten minutes
later, substitute Ashley Allanson
found himself in acres of space and easily beat Craig Dootson
to give them an unlikely two goal cushion.
Hyde still looked good up front with
Nicky Clee causing problems on the left and after a series of
close calls, Johnson set up Seddon
to score with a minute left to set up a tense finale. Farsley
hung on to ensure it was certainly a good Friday for them and
Hyde were left to ponder how they could again take nothing
from a game they probably should have won.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Quigley, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee.Subs – Gedman, Adams, Caldecott, Lynch
(78 – German), Warner (55 – Harrison).
Farsley Celtic – Cuss,
Stabb, Serrant ( R), Iqbal, Crossley, Serrant ( C), Wattson,
Bambrook, Reeves, Grant, Stamer.Subs – Morgan, Allanson (55
– Stamer), Knowles (85 – Reeves), Midgley, Sugden (88 –Wattson).
Man of Match – Dale Johnson, Hyde United
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
09-04-07 BARROW
1 HYDE
UNITED 2 LGE att.670
The Tigers kept their slim play-off hopes
alive with a smash and grab victory at a very dry Holker
Street on Monday. For much of the game, Hyde were second best
but their workrate never relented and they made Barrow pay
dearly for missed chances when Gareth
Seddon smashed home a free kick from twenty five yards
with seven minutes to go to give Hyde an unlikely three
points.
Steve Waywell rung the changes after the
defensive shambles against Farsley with Dave German and Damien
Quigley relegated to the bench with Steve Pickford and Chris
Lynch preferred. Centre back Michael Taylor was pushed forward
to midfield in place of the injured Gerry Harrison.
Hyde started poorly and went behind on
five minutes when former Tiger, Paul
Jones glanced home a needless free-kick. The Tigers
equalised on sixteen minutes with an identical goal, but this
time it was Jones’ colleague Steve Ridley, who found the
back of his own net.
Seddon almost put Hyde in front three
minutes later after he picked up a quick throw from Nicky Clee.
Clee’s incredibly long throws were causing Barrow all sorts
of problems, but the Tigers general play lacked drive and they
were frequently under the cosh.
Within two minutes of the restart, Lynch
was adjudged to have brought down Nick Rogan in the area. It
looked a soft penalty and justice appeared to be done as Andy
Bond smashed the spot kick against the bar and to safety.
The Tigers were still well off the pace,
but they never gave up. Nathan Wharton suffered a nasty gash
on his head, but after running repairs and a touchline strip
reappeared with new shirt and shorts. His commitment increased
and at last his efforts began to motivate his colleagues in
midfield. Clee burst through on 80 minutes and was brought
down in the area. It looked a stronger penalty claim than
Barrow’s but a corner was given.
When Hyde looked like they may just hold
on for a point, up stepped Seddon to smash the ball into the
top corner to send the travelling Tigers’ fans wild and an
unlikely three points back down the congested M6.
Hyde – Dootson,
Adams, Lynch, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Warner, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee.Subs – Gedman, Caldecott, Quigley,
German, Pollitt.
Barrow – Speare,
Bond, Butler, Jones, Bayliss, Ridley, Stringfellow, Sheridan,
Walker, Rogan, Potts.Subs – Black, Timms, Flitcroft, Taylor, Doughty.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
14-04-07
HYDE
UNITED 2 ALFRETON TOWN
1 LGE att.355
The Tigers maintained their slim play-off
hopes with a narrow victory over Alfreton Town. In fact it was
the first time Hyde had beaten the visitors in Conference
North.
There was another disappointing crowd at
Ewen Fields of only 355, despite the stunning weather, to see
Hyde set off like a train and score twice in the first eleven
minutes, miss a few more chances and then take their foot off
the gas for the rest of the game. The visitors fought back,
but despite grabbing a goal and having plenty of possession,
they never really threatened Hyde in the second half.
Hyde took the lead after just two minutes
when the recalled Paul Gedman
turned in the area and lashed a shot under Dale Roberts. Seven
minutes later the Tigers almost had another when Craig
Dootson’s long kick was met on the half volley by Nicky Clee
but his shot ricocheted off the crossbar.
It was just two minutes later that Clee released leading scorer Gareth Seddon, His cross shot was well saved by Roberts, but he followed up and rifled the ball home.
Dale Johnson burst through but he
couldn’t beat Roberts as Hyde threatened to run riot.
However the game suddenly changed on 29 minutes as Matthew
Glass punished hesitancy in the Hyde defence and pulled
a goal back.
Alfreton now clawed their way back into a
game which looked beyond them and forced a succession of
corners as half time approached.
The second half was a pretty turgid
affair. Earl Davis and Gedman were forced off with injuries
and the reshuffled Tigers never got back into their stride.
The hot weather began to take its toll and the game fizzled
out.
At least the Tigers had the consolation
of making up two points on Harrogate and still have everything
to play for as they visit Hinckley on Saturday.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Caldecott, Davis, Adams, Warner, Gedman, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Taylor, Lynch, Quigley, Rick,
Gregson.
Alfreton – Roberts, Clarke, Brown, Hannigan, Laight, Winder, Burbeary, Flanaghan, Glass, Rawle, Whitman.Subs – Reeves, Harcourt, Large, Bingham, Hirst.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
21-04-07 HINCKLEY
UTD 2 HYDE
UNITED 0 LGE att.691
The destiny of this game changed on 52
minutes when Gareth Seddon was controversially sent off by
referee Paul Thompson.
Seddon was breaking clear down the left
when he was held around the neck by Tom Birch. As Seddon
attempted to break free, Birch went to ground clutching his
face. A melee ensued with Seddon subsequently ordered to the
dressing room, whilst Birch was fortunate only to be booked.
The referee later said he had clear sight of the incident
which begs the question why he had to have such a long
conversation with his assistant. It was a big decision and
certainly a turning point of the game.
The Tigers did not play well but still
managed to create a number of chances in a pretty dreadful
game. The pitch was very hard and heavily sanded which
didn’t help matters, and Hyde were never really in control
after they went a goal down inside the first five minutes.
Once again the defence failed to deal with a long cross and Leon
Kelly was on hand to hammer the ball home.
Sean Bowles made a superb save to thwart
Earl Davis on fifteen minutes and he was again called into
action five minutes later when Dale Johnson set up Seddon
whose shot rebounded off the keeper’s knees and was cleared
off the line. The Knitters played an offside game and Hyde
continually fell into the trap, whilst Bowles caught
everything which came his way.
Once Seddon has departed early in the
second half, The Tigers were left with an uphill task. Danny
Caldecott was sacrificed at the back as Paul Gedman was
introduced upfront. He first telling contribution was a goal
bound effort which Bowles again saved well. Hyde tried to
apply some concerted pressure, but were always up against it
and the game was settled on 70 minutes when substitute Owen
Story ran half the length of the pitch to score as Hyde
pressed forward.
The referee added six additional minutes
but it was to no avail, but he summed up his own inept
performance by booking Steve Pickford for his first foul of
the game in the closing seconds.
Hinckley progress to the play-offs,
leaving the Tigers still clinging to a mathematical chance,
but on this showing neither team would be sending shock waves
through the Conference.
Hyde – Dootson,
German, Caldecott, Davis, Adams, Warner, Harrison, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Taylor, Lynch, Quigley, Rick,
Gedman.
Hinckley – Bowles, Brown, Shilton, Cooper, Love, Birch, Cartwright, Jackson, Marrison, Kelly, Nurse. Subs – Story, Johnson, Platnauer, Wykes, Redmile.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD
28-04-07 HYDE UNITED 2 DROYLSDEN 1 LGE att.656
Droylsden arrived at Ewen Fields by open
top bus to celebrate their status as Conference North
Champions, whilst Hyde desperately needed a win in the hope
that other teams lost enabling them to scrape into the
play-offs
As it was, both teams were disappointed
as the visitors through away a goal lead by conceding twice in
the last five minutes, whilst victory for the Tigers proved
irrelevant as other results did not go their way. Hyde will
rue the fact that a poor start to the season ultimately cost
them dear as did the home defeat to Farsley on Good Friday.
The game itself proved to be a pretty
scrappy affair overall and only really came to life in the
last five minutes. For the most part the visitors were happy
to let Hyde have much of the play in the tiring conditions.
The Tigers started the stronger with
Nicky Clee and Gareth Seddon both going close before Dale
Johnson struck a post when through on goal. There were a
flurry of bookings around half-time with Gareth Morris, Jimmy
Kelly and Steve Pickford incurring the wrath of the referee
before half time and Nathan Wharton and Paul Phillips soon
thereafter as players began to lose their cool in the hot sun.
The visitors took the lead on 52 minutes
when Hyde lost possession deep in the Droylsden half, before
the ball was quickly sent upfield for substitute Jody
Banim, with his first touch, to score with an exquisite
lob over the stranded Craig Dootson. Seddon again went close
for Hyde as he attempted to equal Terry Fearns’ total for
the season, whilst Clee almost scored after a long clearance
from Dootson.
Hyde seemed to be running out of ideas
and the game looked to be fizzling out until Johnson broke
clear on the right with five minutes remaining. His inch
perfect cross allowed Clee to
fire home from eight yards. Suddenly the Tigers came to life,
as they streamed forward. After a close shave, the ball was
scrambled away and from the resultant corner, Paul
Gedman, on for the tiring Seddon, headed home at the
near post for an unlikely winner to at least give Hyde some
consolation for missing the play-offs.
Hyde – Dootson,
Lynch, Caldecott, Davis, Taylor, Wharton, Harrison, Pickford,
Johnson, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Gedman, Adams, Warner, Rick,
German.
Droylsden – Phillips, Robinson, Warner, Ruffer, Burke, Morris, Tandy, Kelly, Fearns, Daly, Denham. Subs – Blake, Lynch, Jagielka, Fowler, Banim.
REPORT
BY TONY BEARD