Tigers Rediscover Their Bite Under Spooner

There's an air of excitement at the Project Solar Stadium this season, as Hyde United boss Nick Spooner has breathed new life into the Tigers and so far delivered great results on the pitch.

Having taken over in February following Jim Gannon's departure, Spooner revitalised a struggling Hyde outfit and guided them away from what looked to be certain relegation from the NPL Premier Division.

Spooner's efforts were rewarded with a full-time contract over summer, and with months of preparation and the addition of new faces, most notably Jack Redshaw from Ashton United, who notched the all-important goal in Saturday's FA CUp victory over Darlington, the Tigers have rediscovered their roar.

As well as securing their place in the fourth qualifying round, the Tigers have also pocketed £5,625. They return to action on Tuesday evening - this time in the Manchester Premier Cup at Trafford. The Tigers just missed out on lifting the trophy last season and fell to defeat against local rivals Ashton United at Broadhurst Park.

In the ten league fixtures played this season, Hyde have scored 13 and conceded nine They've lost just once on home turf, and picked up two victories on the road.

It's not just the first team who are enjoying life in the early stages of the 2-22/23 campaign, as the Under 18s have also shown that they're up for the FA Cup. The young Tigers comprehensively beat rivals Staybridge Celtic 4-0 on Friday night in the second qualifying round.

The memorable victory, which now sees Hyde travel to York City in the next round, came courtesy of a hat-trick from George Kattah and one for Marcus Royle.

Following the game, manager Peter Boyle spoke to Luke Edwards and offered his thoughts on the victory. "We knew it was going to be a lot tougher than the first two games and with it being a derby everyone was even more up for it, but we stuck to the plan, every single player went through with what we were saying before the game and all wee, and we're just delighted to be in the next round.

"You never know what you're getting with George (Kattah) and you always know he's going to score goals. He's gone right to the end and deserved his round of applause. We knew they were really dangerous on the counter attack and to control the game was really important. It wasn't just about what we did with the ball, it's what we were doing away with it as well, which is ultimately why we kept a clean sheet." 

Hyde are also enjoying life in the North West Youth Alliance Premier Division and find themselves sixth in the tables, having won one, drawn one and lost two. They return to action on Sunday and face West Didsbury and Chorlton at home.

The Women's Team have also played two league fixtures this season in the Greater Manchester Women's League Premier Division. Unfortunately, the squad has lost both fixtures - 1-0 to Cheadle Town Stingers Development, and 2-0 to AFC Oldham on Sunday. The results leave the squad seventh in the table and they travel to Athletico Middleton Ladies in the cup on Suday.