LEAGUE SEASON 2007 - 08

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

01-03-08  HYDE UNITED  4  HUCKNALL TOWN 2  LGE att.333

Hyde dominated much of this game but Hucknall pushed them all the way and it took two second half strikes from Chris Simm to secure the points for the Tigers on a blustery afternoon at Ewen Fields.  

The teams walked out to the Cameroon National Anthem to celebrate the return of Jean Paul Ndjebayi in goal for Hyde after a ten month absence to deputise for the sick Craig Dootson. As usual he kept the crowd entertained with his antics, whilst at the same time worrying defenders and Manager alike with his eccentric goalkeeping.

Hyde could have took the lead within thirty seconds when Simm pounced on hesitation in the Hucknall defence, but his shot went wide. However the home fans only had to wait another five minutes before, for the second week running, Dave Morley headed home from six yards following Matthew Tipton’s corner.

Ten minutes later Hyde were two up when Andy Teague’s long ball found Tipton, who finished superbly. The visitors were on the ropes and could have conceded more, but they fought back strongly just before the break and Bobby Wilson had an effort cleared off the line.

Ian Robinson, who was booked just before the break for a heavy tackle on Teague, pulled a goal back two minutes into the second period and ten minutes later Peter Knox had an effort on the top of the crossbar. Hyde stormed upfield and a long searching ball from Gareth Seddon found Simm who rifled the ball into the net past a stunned Greg Smith.

Knox pulled a goal back on sixty five minutes after Ndjebayi’s attempted punch had rebounded off him into the net, but the home side regained their two goal cushion a minute later. Seddon had a superb shot turned away and from the resultant corner, Morley headed on for Simm to grab his second and secure the points for Hyde.

Hyde – Ndjebayi , Teague, Lynch, Morley, Killock, Band, Bushell, Pickford, Tipton, Seddon, Simm. Subs – Johnson, Warner, Innes, Rick, Cook.

Innes for Seddon 79 Cooke for Teague 90 Rick for Bushell 90

Hucknall Town – Smith, Asher, Macpherson, Ellis, Sucharewycz, Wilson, Robinson, Mayman, Knox, Galloway, Graves. Subs – Saunders, Bacon, Thorpe, Hall, Cullingworth.

Hall for Mayman 85

Referee – P. Bankes, Liverpool.

Man of the Match – Chris Simm, Hyde

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

08-03-08  BURSCOUGH 3  HYDE UNITED  2 LGE att.399

Hyde spectacularly threw away a two goal lead and what seemed like a comfortable away win, by conceding three goals in the last half hour. Two of the goals came from unnecessary free kicks on the edge of the area and the other a needless penalty for handball. 

With the play-offs seemingly now out of reach, Steve Waywell has to motivate his team for the rest of the season, whilst at the same time address how they can continue to collapse when in a comfortable lead. The Tigers have now lost thirteen league games which is totally disproportionate to the quality of players in the squad.

The Tigers welcomed back Craig Dootson from illness and Chris Brass from Bury and gave a debut to Gareth Morris from Droylsden. However Gareth Seddon was missing through injury, whilst Dave Morley and Lee Cartwright were recovering from bouts in hospital. Things got worse for Hyde as Chris Lynch had to leave the field after just fourteen minutes with concussion after being struck by an elbow.

The referee, Mr Holloway, missed the Lynch incident and then contrived to miss another as Andrew Teague was flattened by another wayward elbow. He was able to continue after treatment, albeit with a lump on his face. Chris Simm was taken out high and in full flow by Burscough ‘keeper, Tony McMillan right at the end of the half, but the referee only showed yellow to complete a dreadful personal performance in the first half. He didn’t significantly improve in the second.

Hyde had played with the wind for the first half and had camped in the Burscough half for long periods and should have been comfortably in front by the break. Morris and Nicky Clee, with free kicks, Matthew Tipton and Steve Pickford had all gone close for the Tigers as the home side wasted time in the expectation of having the wind in the second half. Dootson had also made a couple of good saves in rare breakaways.

The wind had abated by the start of the second half and Hyde did eventually get the ball in the net on 49 minutes as Peter Band’s left foot shot found the back of the net. Burscough had to replace Mc Millan, who was still limping from his earlier clash, with Zak Hibbert whose first job was to pick the ball out of the net when Simm headed home Morris’s corner.

Simm was inches wide a minute later and it looked plain sailing for the Tigers. However on 61 minutes a silly free-kick allowed Brian Moogan to thread the ball past the whole Hyde defence and into the net. Seven minutes later it all changed as Band handled a cross under pressure from former Tiger, Earl Davis and Ciaran Kilheeney made no mistake from the spot.

Hyde suddenly found themselves on the rack, but still had chances before another needless foul in the dying minutes allowed Moogan to score with a Beckham like free kick. It was a goal worthy of winning any game, but the fact was Burscough should have been dead and buried long before.

Hyde – Dootson, Teague, Lynch, Brass, Killock, Morris, Band, Pickford, Tipton, Simm, Clee. Subs – Innes, Warner, Bushell, Rick, Tolson.

Burscough – Mc Millan, Parry, Mc Ginn, Fitzhenry, Kilbane, Davis, Moogan (B), Mc Culloch, Smart, Kilheeney, Noone. Subs – Tomlinson, Clancy, Moogan (A), Robinson, Hibbert.

Referee – D.C. Holloway - Fleetwood

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



11-03-08  WORKINGTON 2  HYDE UNITED 0 LGE att.240

All the excitement and action for Hyde’s encounter in deepest Cumbria on Tuesday was off the pitch with high winds and torrential rain making travel northwards difficult. It was even worse on the way home as the winds had increased and the Tigers had turned in another abject performance against a team with four straight defeats and only one win in ten and kissed goodbye to any lingering hopes of making the play-offs.

Although conditions were obviously difficult Hyde could have no excuses after a second half collapse. Playing against the wind in the first half the Tigers did actually have the better of things. Chris Simm and Nicky Clee both went close before Steve Pickford hit the post with a deflected shot.

After the break it was a completely different story as despite the strengthening wind at their back, Hyde capitulated for the second time in a week and allowed the home side to dominate.

Graham Anthony grabbed Workington’s first on 60 minutes when his speculative shot got caught in the wind and went over a stranded Craig Dootson. David Hewson added another three minutes later and the Tigers had literally been blown away.

The introduction of Gareth Seddon made no difference as the Tigers failed to register a meaningful attack in the last thirty minutes and were lucky not to concede another couple of goals. 

Hyde – Dootson, Teague, Band, Brass, Killock, Morris, Bushell, Pickford, Tipton, Simm, Clee.Subs – Innes, Warner, Seddon, Harrison, Tolson.

Workington – Collin, Andrews, Rowntree, Gray, Kirkup, Hewson, Anthony, Hopper, Berkeley, Wright (J), Wright (A).Subs – Reed, Johnston, Mc Luckie, Hardman, Taylor.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

16-03-08  HYDE UNITED 0  KETTERING TOWN 3  LGE att.562

Hyde had the best of the first hour of their Sunday encounter with league leaders, Kettering Town at Ewen Fields but the game changed when Brett Solkhon rifled the ball into the net after seemingly controlling it with his hand. The referee, Mr Smallwood, would have none of it and the goal stood.

It was tough on the out of form Tigers who had played well up to this point, but the word on the street was that Kettering never lose once they get in front. And so it proved. Immediately Craig Dootson produced a fantastic save to thwart Anthony Robinson before seven minutes later, David Bridges headed in a corner with the Hyde defenders watching and when Craig Westcarr ran through to add a third thirteen minutes from time it was game, set and match.

Earlier in the game, it was the Tigers who were calling all the shots. Matthew Tipton struck the bar with an exquisite free kick, whilst Nicky Clee’s goal-bound shot squirmed under Lee Harper’s dive, but was someone scrambled away. Although Gareth Seddon was missing, Hyde looked sharp up front and caused the Kettering back line plenty of problems in an eventful first half.

The visitors stepped up the pace after a half-time rollocking, but the Tigers were still holding their own until the first goal. After that, heads went down and the Champions Elect never looked in any difficulty.

The match finished on a sour note when Robinson, just back from suspension, went in very late on David Morley and was lucky only to receive a yellow card. This is the same player, who earlier in the season received a red card at Hyde playing for Tamworth after an equally dreadful challenge which put Tom Cowan out for several weeks.

Hyde – Dootson, Teague, Band, Morley, Killock, Morris, Brass, Pickford, Tipton, Simm, Clee. Subs – Innes, Rick, Cooke, Gee, Tolson.

Kettering – Harper, Eaden, Jaszczun, Dempster, Branston, Solkhon, Brady, Bridges, Beardsley, Robinson, Westcarr.Subs – Galbraith, Marna, Kemp, Mills, Bussey.

Referee – W. Smallwood

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

21-03-08  BARROW 1   HYDE UNITED 0  LGE att.1199

Hyde travelled to Barrow on Good Friday but there was certainly nothing good about the game and with a no score draw looking a certainty, the home side contrived to snatch a goal right at the death to condemn the Tigers to their fourth successive defeat. The conditions didn’t help with a blustery cross wind, although the forecast snow never materialised and the sun shone.

With just four wins out of the last seventeen games since Christmas the Tigers are shell shocked and on this showing the end of season cannot come quick enough. There was no faulting the effort against one of the League’s form teams, but too many players are playing without confidence.

Although the midfielders battled hard, nobody can claim to have had a good game and consequently the forwards received no service, resulting in the Barrow ‘keeper not making a save of note and Hyde failing to score for the third consecutive game. It has to be said that Barrow were not much better and hardly troubled Craig Dootson either.

The back four played well, with Shane Killock outstanding, but time and time again the ball just kept coming back and a good piece of skill from Andy Bond in the last minute settled the tie.

Killock recovered well from a sickening injury early in the game when he was pushed into the advertising boards by Jason Walker, who surprisingly escaped censure from the referee. David Morley suffered a similar fate later on. Again the culprit escaped a caution, but Morley was booked for protesting.

The Tigers had a good spell late in the second half and looked like they may snatch an unlikely victory until the killer goal at the end left them just added time to stage a recovery.

Hyde – Dootson, Brass, Teague, Morley, Killock, Innes, Band, Pickford, Tipton, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Simm, Lynch, Rick, Cooke, Holland.

Barrow – Deasy, Woodyatt, Elderton, Jones, McNulty, Henney, Bond, Boyd, Walker, Rogan, Thompson. Subs – Tait. Nelson, Morris, Sheridan, Bayliss.

Referee – A. Scregg (Liverpool)

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

24-03-08  HYDE UNITED 3 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 0  LGE att.301

After four successive defeats, the Tigers roared back to form with an emphatic victory over Gainsborough at Ewen Fields. The omens didn’t look good for Hyde before the kick-off with Dave Morley, Andrew Teague and Chris Simm all ruled out with injury and Manager, Steve Waywell suffering a severe bout of ‘flu..

However the reshuffled team never looked in any danger once Gareth Seddon had fired them into the lead on twelve minutes. His first shot was blocked, but when the ball came back to him he squeezed the rebound home at the near post with the help of a deflection.

Hyde could already have been a goal down at this stage as Craig Dootson had saved brilliantly tipping onto the bar before somehow scrambling the rebound off the post, but once the Tigers had their noses in front, the confidence oozed back. Nicky Clee back to his best had a shot saved onto the bar by Adam Sollitt and was only inches wide minutes later.

Lee Rick started a League game for the first time this season and he was joined by Portuguese trialist, Carlos da Graca. Both injected much needed energy into midfield, which had sadly been lacking in recent games. Rick had an excellent game providing the front men with a succession of through balls which both Seddon and Matthew Tipton thrived upon.

It was Tipton who grabbed Hyde’s second with another exquisite finish five minutes after the break and Seddon sealed the points five minutes when the referee allowed good advantage after a foul on Rick, for him to run through and score.

The confidence came flooding back as Hyde could have grabbed more goals and although the play-offs now look a far off dream, the Tigers showed what might have been with more consistency since Christmas.

Hyde – Dootson, Brass, Lynch, Rick, Killock, Garca, Band, Pickford, Tipton, Johnson, Clee. Subs – Innes, Gee, Cooke, Williams, Shevlin.

Gainsborough Trinity –  Sollitt, Greenwood, Drury, Parker, Dudgeon, Needham, Callery, Austin, Mallon, McMahon, Hall. Subs – Pell, Wood, Burley, Bird, Jackson.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD



05-04-08  HYDE UNITED 1 WORKINGTON 2  LGE att.302

This was a typical end of season game with little to warm the spectators on a bitterly cold afternoon. In a game of few clear cut chances, it was Workington who took advantage and rightly went home with the points to complete a double over the despondent erratic Tigers.

Hyde recalled Jean Paul Ndjebayi in goal for Craig Dootson who reported sick, but it was a close call with the Cameroon ‘keeper arriving just five minutes before kick-off in typical eccentric style.

His opposite number Adam Collin was lucky in the first minute as he clearly handled outside the area, but referee Mr Edwards waved play on.

Ndjebayi’s first piece of action came on 19 minutes when Michael Reed flicked on for Johnny Wright to open the scoring from a tight angle, but the ’keeper should possibly have done better as he could only help the ball into the net.

However he made amends on the half hour mark with two brilliant saves in a minute to thwart the dangerous Wright. Five minutes later Nicky Clee created an opening for Hyde. Collin saved but the ball rebounded to Matthew Tipton, who forced the ball home, but it needed a linesman’s intervention to confirm the ball had crossed the line.

Michael Reed grabbed Workington’s second immediately after half-time when he latched on to through ball. Hyde found it difficult to get back into the game although they should have had a penalty on 55 minutes when the linesman spotted a handball. Although clearly in the area, Mr Edwards awarded a free kick two yards outside, to sum up his overall pretty inept performance.

As the Tigers ran out of ideas, the game degenerated into a dour midfield battle, although Ndjebayi did produce another superb save as Wright burst into the area in a rare piece of goalmouth action. 

Hyde – Ndjebayi, Brass, Teague, Morley, Killock, Rick, Garca, Pickford, Tipton, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Simm, Lynch, Band, Cartwright, Innes.

Simm for Rick 68 Cartwright for Garca 35

Workington – Collin, Andrews, Rowntree, May, Kirkup, Hewson, Anthony, Anthony, Hopper, Reed, Wright(J), Wright (A Subs – Johnston, Gray, Berkeley, Mc Luckie, Taylor.

Johnston for Hewson 30 Berkeley for Reed 84

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

12-04-08 HINCKLEY 2  HYDE UNITED 1 LGE att.537

This was another typical end of season game with little to cheer the spectators. A downpour before the kick-off had left the pitch sodden in places and for the first half most of interest was off the pitch as thunderstorms circled the ground.

Once again the Tigers appeared to be cruising only to concede a set piece goal and then found nothing in the tank to fight back. It has to be said that Hinckley had plenty more to play for, but that is no excuse with the talent Hyde have in the side, and the small band of travelling fans made their views known to the Management as the game progressed..

In a game of few chances the lightning quick Leon Kelly twice went close for the Knitters in the first period as they battled to climb out of the relegation places. In injury time a through ball from Andrew Teague found Matthew Tipton who scored with a superb lob to give the Tigers an unlikely lead and at least some hope.

The second period followed a similar pattern with Hyde looking dangerous on the break despite defending deeply. Disaster struck for the Tigers however on 57 minutes when a needless free-kick was given away. Before it could be taken, Dave Morley had to be substituted as his neck had locked. With the Tigers still in disarray Richard Lavery got behind the defence and scored from close range.

In the closing stages, Chris Simm twice went close for the Tigers. Firstly Michael Jones made a good save with his knees and then a minute later Nicky Clee set up Simm again. His shot was parried by Jones and Gareth Seddon just failed to reach the rebound, but it always looked like the home side would get the decisive goal..

Hinckley pushed me forward to get the victory they desperately needed and with six minutes remaining Tom Birch headed home from a corner to secure the victory. It was hard on the Tigers, but for the umpteenth time this season they had conceded goals from set pieces.

For Steve Waywell and his battle weary troops the end of season cannot come soon enough, although there are still a couple of difficult away trips to negotiate. On this form any points would be a bonus after seven straight defeats in the last nine games.

Hyde – Dootson, Brass, Teague, Morley, Killock, Band, Cartwright, Pickford, Tipton, Seddon, Simm. Subs – Rick, Lynch, Clee, Garca, Innes.

Hinckley – Jones, Roma, Bonner, Lavery, Platnauer, Birch, Story, Richards, Webster, Kelly, Lloyd. Subs – Murphy, Edwards, Storer (K), Storer (S), Belford.

Referee – S. Martin, Stafford.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD

19-04-08 SOLIHULL MOORS 1  HYDE UNITED 4 LGE att.247

After five consecutive away defeats, Hyde bounced back in style with an emphatic   4-1 victory over in-form Solihull Moors at Damson Park. Solihull hadn’t lost at home this year and came into the game with a recent thrashing of play-off hopefuls, Southport under their belt. After such a disappointing second half of the season it was a case of too little too late for the dispirited Tigers, but on the day Solihull were well beaten.

Steve Waywell went back to basics and picked the midfield four who had served him so well in the first half of the season and they didn’t let him down. All four contributed to an excellent team performance and once the Tigers went in front, this time there was no going back.

Ironically it was the home side who took the lead on 33 minutes through a Darren Middleton penalty when Andy Teague got into a tangle in attempting to clear and the ball brushed his hand. Referee Mr Radford had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. It was harsh on the Tigers as they had a much stronger appeal for a handball in the area minutes earlier.

Three minutes later Matthew Tipton broke clear down the left and his cross kissed a defender’s hand and Mr Radford appeared to even things up with another ‘soft penalty’. Tipton made no mistake from the spot.

Hyde had performed well in the first period and had the majority of possession and grabbed another goal two minutes before the break when Nicky Clee crossed from the left for Gareth Seddon to head home to give them a fully deserved half time lead.

Recently when Hyde have the advantage at the break they surrender it very quickly, but not this time as within six minutes of the restart Tipton had turned provider for Clee to score with a rare header. Tipton had the ball in the net two minutes later but Mr Radford ruled he had controlled it with his hand. Another bizarre decision on a day he appeared to get all the key handball decisions completely wrong.

Seddon grabbed his second and Hyde’s fourth on sixty five minutes to round off a thoroughly professional performance from the Tigers but there was still time for Craig Dootson to make a couple of brilliant saves as the Moors staged a late rally.

Hyde – Dootson, Brass, Teague, Morley, Band, Innes, Cartwright, Pickford, Tipton, Seddon, Clee. Subs – Simm, Rick, Lynch, Gee, Harrison.

Solihull Moors – Crane, Faulds, Streete, Collins, Ayres, Gould, Ducros, Middleton, Moore, Hollis, Ritchie. Subs – Davidson, Rachel, English.

Referee – N. Radford, Worcester.

REPORT BY TONY BEARD