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Match Details: Saturday 22nd September 2001 Northern Premier League Premier Division
Attendance: 365 Lancaster City: Thornley Rigby Lyons Holliday Kilbane Mayers Martin Butler Whittaker Welch Potts Subs: Brown Clitheroe McMenemy This match followed a similar pattern to many this season as the Tigers gave Lancaster a two goal start and then proceded to control much of the game but just when we were in with a chance of getting something, we conceded more goals. Hyde made six changes from Monday's team, with new signings Chris Young, Jason Downey and Rico Richards making their debuts, Simon Yeo making a welcome return up front after suspension, Neil Hall back from injury, whilst Neil Critchley was missing with a broken nose received on Monday. The Tigers could not have got off to a more disasterous start as they conceded a goal to lively winger Colin Potts inside the first minute and then two minutes later allowed leading scorer Andy Whittaker too much space as he slotted home number two. Two nil down inside three minutes and most of the team hadn't even touched the ball! A massacre looked on the cards but the Tigers fought back well against adversity as first Matthew Deevey had to go off with a thigh strain and then Neil Hall collected a bad knee injury from a reckless tackle, which the officials did not see, and was carried off. In fact the officials missed numerous things on the pitch which did neither side any favours. As half time approached with Hyde well on top, Martin Doherty lost possession outside his own penalty area when he had not cleared the ball first time and Whittaker had a simple chance to score from 10 yards. Macca's comments from the touchline said it all, but are not repeatable here! All was not lost and right on half-time Steve Foster squeezed the ball home from close range. The second half belonged to Hyde as Lancaster lost their momentum and backed off.Chances came and went but the defence still looked vunerable and substitute Stewart Clitheroe scored in a rare attack. The Tigers were still not done and five minutes from time, Paul Ashwell headed home and there was still a couple more chances before the end. On this showing Lancaster have a lot to do to match Burton who are still by far the best team we have met this season. (They meet a week on Friday at Lancaster). For Hyde some plusses but you can't give teams a two goal start and expect to win. First priority has got to be a 'clean sheet' and build from there - we just give too many goals away. The games are ticking by though with ten gone already and confidence severely dented with an FA Cup tie one week away. A first win is desperately needed to maintain sanity! |