Tigers back to winning ways

The play-offs look to be beyond Hyde United this season despite battling to a 2-1 win in typically blustery conditions at Whitby Town. 

Brad Holmes rounded off an outstanding team move when pouncing onto a Callum Spooner drag back to notch his second goal in consecutive weeks to give the Tigers a 25th minute lead. 

Although Hyde were in the ascendancy, clear cut chances were thin on the ground, and they couldn’t find their way past Whitby keeper Shane Bland again before the break. 

The Seasiders caught Nick Spooner’s side napping just after the restart, when veteran striker Matty Tymon ghosted between Hyde’s centre backs and stooped to nod a beautiful Layton Watts cross past Callum Hiddleston. 

Callum Spooner almost deceived Bland with a swirling effort from 25 yards as the Tigers tried to reassert themselves. 

With the wind blowing into their faces the home side struggled to create anything meaningful, and Hyde eventually got their reward four minutes from time. 

Matt Fearnley set the ball into the path of fellow substitute Ayo Quadri, who dummied on the edge of the area for captain Jack Redshaw to power in winner. 

“It was really tough conditions today with the wind and I thought both teams handled it well,” said Nick Spooner. “We were going into it the first half and I thought they’d put us under a bit more pressure, and we went in [at half time] comfortable. 

“Then in the second half they came at us for the first five or ten minutes, got their goal – a deserved goal – but then we started to get on top.  

“At the end Ferns has brought a great ball down from Callum’s clearance. We’ve worked on drags backs and being patient, and Redders does what Redders is good at: he puts it in the bottom corner. 

“Brad [Holmes] was a nuisance, especially against the wind and getting in behind. He was a threat to them all the first half. Second half it’s very difficult to put a ball in behind, but I thought he worked hard and I’m really pleased for him.  

“He deserved his goal.”