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Match Details: Monday 26th August 2002 Northern Premier League Premier Division
Attendance: 667 Worksop Town: McCarthy Ludlam Bernard Hawes Linighan C.Smith Peacock Whitehead Roberts Beesley Todd Subs: Kotylo A.Smith G.Smith In the battle of the Tigers, honours were just about even, but it was Worksop who came away with the points as they survived a late mauling from Hyde. Dave Nolan rang the changes after Saturday's disappointment. Paul Ashwell had a groin strain, Steve Foster was rested, Danny Webster suspended and Paul Lin replaced Rob Woodhead. Anthony Hargreaves and Dave Swanick were recalled and new signing Richard Eyre was on the bench. Hyde started sluggishly but still had plenty of possession and Lee Evans and Lee Madin both had gilt edged chances to score. As it was Worksop took the lead on 27 minutes when Carl Smith shrugged off his namesake Ged to power a shot past Peter Crookes. It was definitely the day for 'Smiths' as we had two, they had three, and, lo and behold, the referee was one too. He, in fact, had a good game but struggled with an injury in the second half. Worksop increased their lead on 36 minutes after Crookes had made a full length save but could not hold onto the ball and Richard Peacock slotted home. A half-time rollicking and the Tigers from Hyde came out fighting. Within two minutes, Nolan headed against the bar and although the rebound was scrambled in, there had been an infringement. Hyde continued to have all the play and Eyre was introduced on sixty minutes and made an impressive debut. Steve Foster came on with fifteen minutes to go and within three minutes had pulled one back from the penalty spot after Steve Hawes had handled on the line, and was shown the red card. A grandstand finish, but Hyde just couldn't find the finishing touch. On the face of it, four points out of twelve is not brilliant, but we have deserved more and Worksop will be up there at the end of the season, challenging for the league. In most games we have been on top for at least half of the time. We now need to do it for the whole game and the points will come - there are plenty of good footballers in the squad to do it. |