Borough use Hyde friendly to eye up trialists

BACUP Borough returned to action at the Brian Boys West View Stadium Saturday when they welcomed Evo Stik North side Hyde United in their opening pre-season fixture.

It was a red hot summer’s day, the football taking place at the same time near neighbours Bacup were at home at cricket, and while the weather was more suited to thwack of leather on willow, it certainly brought an excellent crowd into the Brian Boys Stadium.

Bacup manager Brent Peters fielded two different teams, both operating two different systems and both playing forty five minutes which proved a good work out against a team which operates two leagues above.

The opening side welcomed back goalkeeper Josh Harris, who has struggled with injuries since breaking his foot in the play-off final.

It was a real test for him against the lively forwards from Hyde United and while they threaten at times in the opening half, Harris was equal to everything that came way.

At the opposite end, Bacup had limited opportunities but their best chance came with a move involving Matthew Bryan and Wayne Morrison, the latter’s header forcing the Hyde keeper into action.

Half time arrived with Bacup having defended well. This opening team, while not really creating too many chances, ●● Brent Peters ensured no goals were conceded at the break.

The second half team included three trialists along with Ben Rhodes who, at the end of last season, made the step up into the first team squad from Borough’s youth set up.

In the early exchanges of the half the change of shape certainly saw Bacup attacking more and looking a threat themselves without producing anything to test the Hyde keeper.

At the opposite end tri- alist goalkeeper Declan Oliver was kept busy but did just as Josh Harris had done in the first half, dealing well with everything.

Hyde did manage to get the ball in the net following a misunderstanding between Boro’s two central defenders. The Hyde striker capitalised on this but his effort struck the post – once he followed up the assistant on the far side flagged for off side.

Nevertheless, Hyde broke the deadlock with what was, from Bacup Borough’s point of view, a weak goal to concede.

The ball was pumped long resulting in the ball going goalwards over the Bacup defence. Trialist Joe Carroll was now between ball and the advancing striker that was rapidly closing the player down. He tried to head back to his keeper but only managed the faintest of connection on the ball.

This proved costly and offered the Hyde United player the advantage to slot home. This single goal was the difference between the two teams in a game where both sides’ attitude and work rate in the demanding heat was applaudable. ●● Bacup goalkeeper Josh Harris returned from injury