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Match Details: Saturday 25th October 2008 Conference North
Attendance: 213 Hucknall Town: Lindley Baxter Shaw Marlow Stevenson Timons Smith Wilson Robertson Bacon Kettle Subs: Ward Mitchell Smedley Smith Galloway. This game was always going to be a battle with Hyde without an away point in seven outings and Hucknall with just two points from their endeavours at home. Add into the equation a bumpy pitch, four players missing through suspension, lashing rain and a swirling wind and you have the makings of a dreadful game and so it proved. However Hyde grabbed the all important goal on 66 minutes when Nicky Clee was brought down by Marc Stevenson as he burst into the area. A clear penalty, but only a yellow for the centre back despite being the last man and a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Perhaps referee Mr Howes was basing his decision on previous attempts at goal? Nevertheless the recalled Chris Simm scored with ease. Hucknall could have been ahead at the break after hitting the woodwork three times in the first half. After 20 minutes Dootson made a wonder save from Anthony Robertson pushing the ball onto the bar and then Chris Shaw and Mark Smith hit the post in close succession. The best of Hyde’s efforts was a long shot from Phillip Marsh., Marsh was then badly fouled by a very high tackle, but the lenient referee took no action. Downhill after the break with the wind and rain abating a little, the Tigers stepped up the pace and Clee struck a post within two minutes. He then had two more chances to score as he burst through before the penalty incident. Dave Marlow was then booked for a two-footed lunge at Mark Innes which caught him above his shorts. Again the referee only produced yellow, when on another day it could have been red. Hucknall threw everything at Hyde towards the final whistle but the resolute defence hung on for three valuable points and gave Manager Neil Tolson the perfect birthday present. Craig Dootson had a brilliant game for the Tigers and in front of him Steve Williams produced an awesome performance as the pressure increased in the final half-hour. |