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Saturday 12th February - Hyde United 1-1 Frickley Athletic

The Blues fought back from conceding an early goal to earn a deserved share of the points against high-flying Hyde United. The home side took the lead after just 7 minutes when Chris Lynch's wayward shot from a tight angle found its way into the net off Calum Selby but Leroy Chambers equalised a little against the run of play with a well-taken chip over the 'keeper. 

Gary Marrow welcomed Steve Woolford back into the midfield after missing the last two games whilst the returning Phil Lindley came into the centre of the defence in Matt Daly's absence. Wael Nazha wasn't considered fit enough to start so Simon Collins started alongside Andy Evans and Leroy Chambers up front.

After Collins tested Hyde 'keeper Tim Mullock from 15 yards after just 5 minutes the home side started to take control and they took the lead just 2 minutes later. A cross from the left eluded everyone but was picked up at the far post by Chruis Lynch who drilled the ball hard across goal where it struck Calum Selby and past the stranded Gary Ingham.  Minutes later Neil Tolson found himself unmarked in the box but his angled shot was blocked by Ingham's legs. Playing with a strong wind behind them Hyde were now well on top and went close again on 19 minutes but Ingham dived full length to smother Phil Salt's dipping 20 yard shot at the foot of a post. The Blues managed their first meaningful attack for quite a while on the half hour when a good move saw Neil Ashley play a one-two with Woolford before playing the ball forward to Chambers who fired over the bar from 18 yards. Eight minutes later the Blues drew level when Woolford played a great ball through for CHAMBERS who beat the advancing Mullock with a delicate chip into the net from just inside the box.

After an eventful start to the second half Ashley tried his luck from nearly 35 yards but his effort was easily saved by Mullock before Hyde forced a series of corners which failed to trouble Ingham's goal. As the game wore on the Blues started to come more and more into the game and enjoyed by far the better of the last twenty minutes. On 71 minutes Steve Robinson's long throw was chested down by Andy Evans for Lee Pugh but his curling left foot shot from 18 yards just cleared the crossbar. A minute later Selby sent over a cross from the left which was just behind Collins and Ashley but fell kindly for Pugh but his low shot ricocheted clear off a defender's heel. Hyde then broke quickly, as the Blues were caught with too many players committed forward down their right, with substitute Matty McNeil finding himself clear in the box but he scuffed his shot straight at Ingham. Shortly afterwards Tolson flicked the ball through to Hyde's other substitute Wayne Dean who looked certain to score from 15 yards but Ingham reacted brilliantly to block his effort. Play was soon back to the other end as on 81 minutes Selby sent over a cross from the left which was half cleared by the Hyde defence as far as Ashley who struck a ferocious first time volley from 18 yards but the ball dipped just over the bar. Two minutes later Selby sent over another cross which was headed inches wide of the far post by Collins.