Tigers maul the Lilywhites

Hyde United defeated local rivals Mossley to pick up the Ray Stanley memorial shield on Tuesday, in front of a packed-out crowd at the Project Solar Stadium. 

Both sides had chances to break the deadlock in the first half, but none were able to capitalise. 

Hyde United had the first real chance just before the half hour mark when full back Harry Ditchfield was played in behind the Mossley defence, but he could only fire his half-volleyed effort over the top. 

Visitors Mossley were then presented with an opportunity of their own moments later, with new signing Obua Mugalula finding space inside the penalty area and shifting the ball onto his left side, only to fire his shot well over the crossbar. 

Hosts Hyde took the lead early in the second half when new signing Jordan Scanlon swung in a cross from the right which was met brilliantly by ‘trialist C’, who powered a header into the bottom right corner to put his side ahead. 

A moment of madness then handed Hyde a second, with Mossley’s trialist goalkeeper being forced to catch a loose backpass in order to prevent an own goal, resulting in an indirect free-kick being awarded to the Tigers from no more than seven yards out. 

This was dispatched brilliantly by new signing Connor Heath, who fired the ball through the sea of Mossley bodies after Ayo Quadri’s delicate layoff, putting his side two to the good. 

Following the victory, Hyde United manager Nick Spooner was full of praise for his side: 

“I’m obviously pleased with the result but what I’m most pleased with is the performance. 

“We moved the ball well but the most important thing for me is how we reacted when we lost it, we went and got it back straight away which is exactly what I want from my teams.” 

Despite the loss, Mossley manager David Fish is confident his side can turn their form around ahead of the new season: 

“I thought we were ok in the first half but we really switched off in the second, we didn’t ask enough questions of Hyde throughout which was disappointing. 

“We’ve got a lot of work to do but that’s what pre-season is about, identifying areas you need to improve, and that’s what we will work on between now and the start of the season.”