Hyde United's promotion hopes still just about alive

Hyde United kept their play-off hopes alive at the weekend after a 2-1 win at home to Matlock Town in their final game of the season. 

After a frustrating first half in which the hosts struggled to break down the Matlock defence, they finally broke the deadlock early in the second when Matty Fearnley atoned for his earlier miss, putting his side ahead from close range. 

The forward then got his second of the afternoon moments later, doubling Hyde’s lead with a powerful strike into the bottom right corner which kissed the post on its way in. 

Despite a late fightback from the visitors, who pulled a goal back ten minutes from time through Liam Hardy, hosts Hyde managed to hold on and seal what could prove to be a crucial three points. 

The Tigers’ season came to an end a week before the rest of the sides in the Northern Premier League as they were due to face the now expelled Marske United on the final day. 

This means Nick Spooner’s men are now powerless in terms of where they finish and must rely on other results going their way this weekend. 

In order to secure a place in the play-offs, Hyde must hope local rivals Ashton United lose in their final match against Marine, and hope Worksop lose by a two-goal margin to Atherton Collieries. 

Though this looks unlikely, if everything was to fall into place, the Tigers would finish in fifth place and take the final play-off spot. 

This would result in a semi-final tie against second placed Macclesfield, in which Hyde would be away from home. 

Should Nick Spooners side progress through that, they would face the winner of Warrington Rylands and Marine in the final, which would also be away from home.