Tigers Roar To Success

NPL Premier Division: Ashton United 0-3 Hyde United

A dress rehearsal for the forthcoming Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup final turned into something of a procession as the visitors won unchallenged with the hosts failing to register a single shot on target in the 90 minutes.

The away side completed a league double in front of 575 fans and threatened almost immediately as Sam Peplow’s cross was cleared to Callum Spooner who placed his low effort allowing Greg Hartley to save to his left.

On eight minutes, the opener arrived as a long throw-in saw Tom Pratt’s cross headed home close in by ex-Ashton striker Jack Dyche and 10 minutes later Javid Neavin’s free-kick was cleared to Tayt Trusty whose mishit effort rebounded kindly for Pratt to double the advantage.

Dyche then put a left-footed effort well wide of goal from Trusty’s pass after Jack Redshaw had lost possession and Dyche won a free-kick from Michael Brewster just outside the area which saw Lewis Earl’s low effort held by Hartley.

It took just six minutes after the restart for the Tigers to move further ahead as Harry Ditchfield’s right-wing cross saw Michael Brewster’s clearing header land for Dyche to easily fire home left-footed.

Nathan Ntalu won a corner for the hosts which saw Redshaw’s attempted header fail to make contact with Cole Lonsdale’s delivery and Brad Roscoe headed Harry Benns’ free-kick over the top as the visitors continued to dominate.

Dyche could have completed a hat-trick as Hartley needed to be alert from Brewster’s short back pass and sub Harry Pratt almost registered as he helped Spooner’s cross over the top from close in before shooting straight at Hartley after he had held off Ekow Coker.

Picture by John Porter