HYDE EDGE OUT COLNE IN FA CUP WIN

HYDE UTD 1 COLNE 0
FA CUP 1ST QUALIFYING @ EWEN FIELDS
3 SEPTEMBER 2016 3PM

A David McGurk goal just past the hour mark was enough for Hyde to see off Colne in a tight FA Cup tie that had seen the home side guilty of three gilt edged chances missed and so giving Colne hope.  Indeed the visitors would be left to rue a saved penalty after 55 minutes and that single Tigers goal proved to be enough to win the tie.
Sad to say with heavy rain forecast countrywide the blog opted for a 3g game as early as the first week in September.  When will it stop raining on Saturdays during the football season?  After a lovely week weather wise Saturday arrived with the weatherman gleefully predicting some downpours.  Having visited Hyde previously for a Man Utd reserve game versus Wrexham I believe in the 90's this would not be a first visit but a first for the blog.  The new season had seen Hyde kick off with their new 3g sate of the art pitch in place and its on days like this that the 'hopper' looks for a safe game especially when using the delights of public transport.

TAYLORS CALLING AGAIN

Base station departure just before 1130 for the Peak District journey with light rain accompanying us all the way to Stockport were we boarded a 330 of the stripey boys variety.  Of course with the 10 minute frequency service going via Woodley we jumped off for dinner at Taylors our regular lunchtime supplier in this area and although we had chosen not to visit Stockport Town today they were at home and also would be grateful of the use of a 3g pitch as the rain was now lashing down!
After a short meal stop it was time to pick up the 330 service towards Ashton and we were soon departing in Hyde bus station.  Hyde on any day would appearing a challenging prospect but on a very wet day its even more of a challenge to keep dry and failing miserably to take any town centre pictures including the impressive town hall which for reasons undiscovered seems to have a seal outside, in the form of a statue.

 
After a small walk around the shopping area, I say short it was all of 10 minutes because there was now a fair deluge coming down Mick suggested a trip back to the bus station for a bus to the ground. 
Although its only about 3 stops along Mottram Rd the 202 saved us getting drenched and we hastily made our way to the turnstiles, entry fee paid we shook off the water and made a quick visit to the club shop.  Programmes were purchased from Alan who was sheltering inside and Chris Ryde friend of the blog was also greeted, good to see you again Chris and we had a nice little catch up with Alan too who it was good to get to know.

The ground is a wonderful example of a well proportioned former conference ground which after the clubs association with Man City was developed along the lines on dark blue repaint alongside some attractive sky blue seats in the main stand.  That link up as now ended but the investment has left the club with a nice facility and now the community can also enjoy the 3g facility thanks to the local councils investment too.  The club are one of the growing band of supporter owned clubs and are still selling membership and shares to interested fans, we wish them well with this endeavour and hope it is successful for the club.

The ground has cover on all four sides with the neat main stand topped off with two weird sized floodlights.  The Scrattin shed terrace to the right as we came in is very much the kop/ultra supporters enclosure and they continue to make a noisy support of Hyde their aim for the afternoon.  Behind this stand is the club house.  The stand continuing on behind the goal is set slightly of centre of the pitch before we walk past the memorial garden and the dugouts which behind them as a 2/3rd length terraced stand in place.  Behind the far goal is again a covered terrace stand as we approach the main stand the club have just out into place some nice new modern cabins which I believe are for their new academy.  The main stand is a smart affair with hospitality to the rear and overall the impression is of a smart club with everything in place for a rise back through the leagues following their 3 relegations in 3 seasons.

REFEREE RAPER HAS A QUICK CHAT WITH COLNE CAPTAIN MICHAEL MORRISON

Having caught up with Chris we opted to use the stand behind the dugouts and with the rain pouring down for all of the first half pictures were very difficult.  With all references to Tigers played over the public address system, eye of the tiger, tiger feet, etc it was time for the teams to appear.The game itself saw Hyde miss 2 guilt edged chances Ayrton Bevins was in on goal twice the first saved by visiting keeper Nosakehare Aghayere and on the second occasion he took a little longer to try to make sure and saw his effort blocked.  Hyde looked to press the game and Colne appeared to be happy to try to hit the Tameside club on the break but we reached half time goal less.

SCUNTHORPE UTD ARE IN THE BUILDING FOR NON LEAGUE DAY

Today was non league day which of course encourages supporters mainly of league sides to journey along to watch their local non league club for a change while their fixture list is shortened for international games.  Sadly today league1 and 2 were nearly all playing but Scunthorpe Utd were not and having followed Hyde's twitter feed some of The Iron were travelling over from Scunthorpe.  At half time we managed to catch up with 4 of the party who were enjoying some half time food and learn that one of their party was a share holder in the supporters ownership of Hyde and they had all come along to support this endeavour and sample some non league footy, well done guys good to meet you today.
The second half saw Chris Amadi miss another golden opportunity for Hyde before Colne were awarded a penalty on 55 minutes when Dave McGurk was adjudged to have pulled back Chris Lynch. Up stepped Benjamin Wharton only for Dylan Forth to launch himself to his right to save the kick.  At moments like that and with the proceeding play you started to add the comment its got nil nil written all over it.  Except it hadn't on 61 minutes a corner off the left was met by McGurk who converted for the only goal of the game and a next round tie for Hyde was secured.

MCGURK [6] SEES HIS EFFORT GO OVER THE LINE FOR THE ONLY GOAL OF THE GAME

Colne needed to put some pressure on the home goal but although they played some neat build up play the final pass and finish was missing for them this afternoon and no replay was forthcoming.
The second half had finally seem the rain subside and we could at last enjoy the match from different vantage points around the ground.

BEN HOSKIN FOR COLNE BRINGS THE BALL OUT OF DEFENCE

At the final whistle it was now a fairly dry affair with a walk back into Hyde we were soon on the 330 back to Stockport were with a brisk walk we caught the 5.54 to base station allowing a return around 7pm.
An average game in trying first half condition but a pleasure to re visit Hyde Utd Fc and their smart ground.  Good too see an encouraging support from the Colne supporters now there is a ground.

HYDE UTD PLAYERS APPLAUD THEIR FANS AT THE FINAL WHISTLE