LONG WAIT AFTER HOME
HYDE UNITED ended their league campaign with a win thanks to a brace from Matt Fearnley.
They remain in fifth place - the the final play off place - but do not play next week after Marske’s expulsion from the league. Other sides therefore have the chance to leapfrog them.
Hyde boss Nick Spooner praised his side: “I thought it was a good performance. We dominated possession and chances. It was frustrating we took as long as we did to take the lead and we made it nervous in the end, but it was a deserved win.”
Hyde dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes and should have been a couple of goals ahead. Matlock had goalkeeper Saul Deeney to thank in the first half - his quick reaction saves kept the scores level.
After only five minutes, Sam Fielding picked out the run of Antoine Makoli and Deeney denied him from six yards after a powerful shot. Deeney pushed away a shot from Matt Fearnley just two minutes later.
Fearnley had another glorious opportunity in the 19th minute.
Harry Ditchfield’s diagonal put Fearnley through one on one against Deeney, but he fired his half volley up, over and out.
Hyde finally broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, this time on the counterattack. Makoli’s powerful shot was blocked on the line, but the rebound fell to Fearnley who could not miss.
Deeney pulled off a number of saves before Hyde found their second goal on 68 minutes, when Fearnley doubled his tally. His shot from the edge of the area found the back of the net off the inside of the post.
Matlock grabbed a consolation on 80 minutes. Hyde substitute Harry Bunn was dispossessed and the ball fell kindly to experienced striker Liam Hardy, who slotted past Jordan Eastham. Matlock did not generate any serious pressure for an equaliser, and Hyde managed the remainder of the game professionally to secure the win.
Hyde must now wait for next Saturday’s results. STAR MAN: Matthew Fearnley (Hyde United) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★