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Match Details: Saturday 6th March 2004 Northern Premier League Chairman's Cup Semi-Final
Attendance: 308 Hyde United: Tim Mullock John Gaynor Ian Pendlebury Paul Jones Wayne Dean (Andy Waine) John O'Kane Nicky Hill (Craig Buckley) Phil Salt Neil Tolson Kieran Delaney (Dale Johnson) Matty McNeil Kidsgrove Athletic: Cherry Peet Eyre Thomas Jellicoe Hancock White Baker Twigg Burke Ward Subs: Huckerby Vickers McGowan The Tigers secured a place in the Chairman's Cup Final at the expense of a battling Kidsgrove Athletic in front of just 20 more folk than the league match a couple of weeks ago. It was a shame there was not more to see it, but the crowd was still more than Droylsdens' in their semi and Ashtons' in the league. This was no walkover for Hyde. Kidsgrove put up a spirited performance, especially in the first half, with former Tiger, Richard Eyre putting up a great show on the right. Another former Tiger, Julian Ward missed the best chance of the half when he burst through after a ricochet off John Gaynor, but Tim Mullock produced a good save. Seconds early Neil Tolson had struck a post after veteran Steve Cherry had failed to clear, whilst Gaynor has a screamer inches wide. The second half carried on in the same vein with Ward again missing a good chance when he headed over from Eyre's pinpoint cross. It was anybody's game and Kidsgrove took the lead on 61 minutes when Danny Jellicoe poked the ball home after the Tigers' defence had failed to clear an innocuous cross. This proved to be an impetus for the Tigers who immediately stepped up a gear and eight minutes later that man Tolson was on hand to slot home an equaliser. Hard to say who got the final touch, but who cares? The Tigers were now roaring with Kidsgrove defending bravely until Jellicoe hooked McNeils' leg in the area. A penalty and a sending off for the unfortunate Jellicoe. Phil Salt slotted the ball home and the Tigers were in front and never looked back. McNeil had a great game tormenting the defence all afternoon, but it is a shame he cannot find his goal touch. With nine minutes to go, Tolson burst through and scored a brilliant goal to take his tally to 28 for the season. He should have had more on the day as he miskicked twice in front of goal, but as they say, you can't keep a good man down. New signing, Wayne Dean make an impressive debut and the Tigers welcomed back Nicky Hill, Ian Pendlebury and Kieran Delaney from injury. In the league, the results went Hyde's way again. Farsley still look a threat, but it was only a few weeks ago, many teams could overtake us, but one by one they have fell away as they have been playing each other, but now nobody can get more than 57 points if they win all their matches in hand. From our prospective we only have to play 3 in the Top 13, starting with Matlock on Saturday. |