Match Report: Hyde United v FC United of Manchester

Just three games out from the end of the season, Hyde took on FC United at The Project Solar in what for The Tigers was the first of “three cup finals”.

Hyde looked to clutch onto that final play off spot, with local rivals Ashton United, Worksop Town and Guiseley breathing down their neck, with
games in hand, it seems an impossible task however all Hyde can do is win their games and that’s what they did on Saturday as FC United made
the short journey into Tameside.

The first half hour was closely contested by the two teams without either really having any sort of big chances. The first of the game was
created by some brilliant footwork in the midfield by Dontai Gabidon who slipped his man and played a perfectly weighted ball through to Aaron
Bennett who turned past Will Squires and struck a shot on his right foot but was denied by a flying Jordan Eastham.

 From the resulting corner the ball found the head of Charlie Oliver as he rose above everyone unchallenged inside The Tigers six yard area to
nod down into the floor and past Eastham.

The goal seemed to fire Hyde up as they started to come forward quicker and with more promise. A free kick was awarded to the home side just off
to the right of the penalty area, Josh Doherty struck it well however the ball flew just over the top of George Murray-Jones’ net.

The goal did eventually come for Hyde just before the break as Harry Bunn played a delicious chipped ball, over the top of the FC United
defence, which found top scorer Jack Redshaw who simply rolled the ball underneath Manchester City loanee Murray Jones to claw The Tigers back to level terms.

Hyde started the second half how they finished the first, very positive, however the first big chance came for FC United as a half clearance by
Joel Amado fell to Bennett on the edge, Bennett cut back onto his right foot and whipped his shot towards the top left corner but scrambling
Eastham pulled off a worldie of a save to deny the visitors a second.

The home side continued to have the majority of the pressure without really threatening their opponents goal, until with 20 minutes to go
Matty Fearnley picked out Harry Ditchfield on the right who pulled the ball back from the by-line to find substitute Ayo Quadri who smashed
home with his left foot for his first league goal in a red shirt.

Hyde saw the game out very well, managing to keep possession of the ball and deny their opponents any real chances to get back on level terms.
And in the second minute of stoppage time Florian Yonsian intercepted a poor pass at the back by Declan McLaughin and on the turn almost sealed
the three points for The Tigers but the ball cannoned off the left hand post and FC United were able to clear.

In the end the missed opportunity late on meant very little as Hyde came away with all three points and stayed just inside the play off spots,
for now.