Hyde to feel heat after supporters throw fireworks
HYDE UNITED could face an FA fine after a flare was thrown on to their plastic pitch before last night’s crushing defeat by MK Dons — and a firework was later hurled towards visiting supporters. The flare burned through the top layer of the pitch. Then, at half-time, a firework fell a yard short of the area housing around 150 MK Dons fans. There was a lucky escape for those standing at the front. All this on the day the EFL launched an initiative to tackle such incidents. Whether those responsible are genuine followers of eighth-tier Hyde is debatable but two idiots in a crowd of more than 3,000 is still two too many. They overshadowed a first appearance in the FA Cup proper for 23 years. In the boardroom there were worried looks. The club’s bar was shut on police advice as the night turned sour. ‘I’m stating the obvious, but don’t throw fireworks, flares or anything else,’ Hyde’s PA announcer said. It was too late. MK Dons, without a win since September, were superior in key moments of this first-round tie. They led on 14 minutes, Alex Gibley shuffling possession across to Aidan Nesbitt just inside the Hyde box. He stepped into the pass and bent the ball into the far corner. It was a sumptuous strike and, after Big Khamsuk twice went close for Hyde, the League One strugglers doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. Robbie Neilson’s side broke at pace and won a free-kick just outside the box. Chuks Aneke, the Arsenal trainee, whipped the ball into the top corner beautifully just before events in the stands turned ugly. Ethan Ebanks-Landell leathered in a third and Ed Upson a fourth for good measure. NEIL ASPIN’S transformation of PORT VALE continued with a 2-0 win over OXFORD UNITED thanks to goals from Gavin Gunning and Tom Pope. The League Two club had taken two points from 11 games when Aspin took over a month ago, but are now out of the relegation zone with three wins in a row. Two headers in a minute by Ryan Yates dragged NOTTS COUNTY back after they had gone 2-0 down to BRISTOL ROVERS. Veteran Jon Stead and Jorge Grant also tucked away chances as Kevin Nolan’s side won 4-2.